In September 2007 , the Academy hired Gil Cates to oversee production of the telecast for a record 14th time . Ganis explained his decision to hire Cates as producer stating , " He 's so talented ... so creative and inventive , and so enormously passionate about the Oscars . All of that will again translate into a night that people ca n't wait to experience . " Immediately , Cates selected actor , comedian , and talk-show host Jon Stewart as host of the 2008 ceremony . " Jon was a terrific host for the 78th Awards , " Cates said about Stewart in a press release . " He is smart , quick , funny , loves movies and is a great guy . What else could one ask for ? " Furthermore , the 2007 – 08 Writers Guild of America strike affected the telecast and its surrounding events . Over a month after the labor dispute began , the striking Writers Guild of America ( WGA ) denied a waiver requested by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in connection with film clips and excerpts from previous award ceremonies to be shown at the 2008 awards . The material could have been used , as the denial only affected the conditions under which the clips are shown . Previously , the 60th ceremony held in 1988 occurred 37 days after that year 's writers strike began . At the time , material was already completed in anticipation for the strike , and actors were in full attendance of the ceremony
60th ceremony
60th Academy Awards
80th Academy Awards