In December 1997 , the Academy hired veteran Oscar telecast producer Gil Cates to oversee the 1998 ceremony . " Gil has become the consummate Oscar show producer , consistently garnering top television ratings for the telecast , " said AMPAS President Robert Rehme in a press release announcing the selection . " His shows are full of wit , charm and surprise . " A few days later , actor and comedian Billy Crystal was chosen to emcee the upcoming telecast . Cates explained his reason to bring back the veteran comedian saying , " Billy 's performance last year was spectacular . There is nobody like him . " In an article published in '' USA Today '' he initially requested to Cates and AMPAS five months after the previous year 's ceremony that he would like to take a break from hosting duties . However , pressure from the Academy , Cates , and several friends and family members made him reconsider his decision . His sixth stint would make him second only to Bob Hope in number of ceremonies hosted
previous year 's ceremony
69th Academy Awards
70th Academy Awards