Gil Cates Behind the Oscar Wheel

Gil Cates is not a man to let someone run at the mouth because they're famous. In an Academy Awards show producer, this quality is essential. With many emotional stars more than willing to exceed their 45 second limit for an acceptance speech, keeping the awards show going in a timely fashion is a hard thing to do.

And, according to Cates, he's one of the only people who enjoy doing it. This year will be his 12th year producing the Academy Awards telecast, which is an astonishing number. Many individuals, once they've done it once, refuse to do it again. And no wonder, with all the fantasy-sized egos there are to deal with.

Why does he keep accepting the job? Cates describes the awards as the "last big, live variety show". Beyond the unscripted madness of vying artists, he always has something different to contribute to the show. One year, it was a "necrology", or a series of segments honoring stars who have died. This feature has become a regular at the Academy Awards.

This years Academy Awards will be hosted by Chris Rock, which leaves plenty of room for unpredictability. There are certainly a great deal of variables that have to be considered in producing a show like this one, but it is eminently clear that Cates is up to the task.