Crystal in Oscar Race

12/01/1998 at 12:00 AM EST

While Hollywood studios map out their year-end ad campaigns to woo Oscar nominations out of Academy voters, the race is already on as to who will host next year's rite of spring. Oscar show producers Richard and Lili Fini Zanuck are after Billy Crystal to handle the 72nd Academy Awards on March 26, says Variety. This year Crystal passed the baton to Whoopi Goldberg, reportedly because he was so busy promoting his comedy "Analyze This." But next March, Crystal's dancecard will be open (though he is set to remake the George Burns comedy "Oh, God" in 2000), says Variety, which clearly seems to think Billy will be hosting the big show.