OSCARS HAVE NEW PRODUCERS

Following rumors appearing on numerous blogs, newspaper columns, and tabloid TV shows that Lorne Michaels had a lock on the producer’s gig at next year’s Oscar ceremony, it was announced Thursday that Craig Zadan and Neil Meron will produce the show. The pair produced the movie version of Chicago, as well as 2007’s Hairspray, the original and remake of Footloose, and were also the producers of last season’s musical drama series Smash, which is about to begin its second season on NBC. In a statement, the pair referred to another movie they had produced. “When we filmed the Bucket List, we made our own personal bucket list, and producing the Oscars was No. 1,” they said. “It’s truly a great honor.” Yet to come: an announcement about who the host of the next Oscar show will be. The 85th Academy Awards will air live on ABC on Sunday, February 24, 2013.