That '70s Show: Regis Returns to Oscar Red Carpet

By Tim Nudd

Originally posted Monday December 10, 2007 03:05 PM EST

Photo by: PHIL ROACH / IPOL / GLOBE; Mark Mainz / Getty

It's back to the future for Regis Philbin, who's been tapped to host the red-carpet show immediately preceding the Oscars telecast in February – the same job he had some 30 years ago.

"Regis is the perfect guy to serve as host. He knows everyone, and everyone loves Regis!" producer Dennis Doty says in a statement. "I'm thrilled that he has agreed to be the ringmaster for this year's extravaganza."

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is producing the show, which airs Feb. 24 on ABC. Philbin, 76, who co-hosts Live With Regis & Kelly, will guide the half-hour lead-in red-carpet interview show. Philbin was "a pioneer interviewer of arriving stars" at the Oscars in the 1970s, according to the Academy.

The 80th Academy Awards nominations will be announced Jan. 22 at 5:30 a.m. PT.