CEDRIC "THE ENTERTAINER" TO HOST 33RD ANNUAL "AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS," NOVEMBER 22 ON ABC

Red-hot comic/actor Cedric "The Entertainer" will host the 33rd annual "American Music Awards," which will air live TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22 (8:00-11:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network. The special is a presentation of dick clark productions, inc. and will originate from Los Angeles, California.

With starring roles in no less than four major feature films released this year (including the box office blockbuster, "Madagascar"), Cedric "The Entertainer" is undoubtedly one of the hottest actor/comedians working today. His award-winning career spans the big screen, television and live performances. His crowd-pleasing roles in such films as "The Honeymooners," "Be Cool," "Johnson Family Vacation," "Intolerable Cruelty," "The Original Kings of Comedy" and "Barbershop" have sealed his on-screen status, and he is now producing feature films under his new production company banner, A Bird and A Bear Entertainment. Upcoming film projects include "The Cleaner," with Lucy Liu, and "Mr. Lucky," with Cedric starring in the title role, opposite Bruce Willis.

Further details on the special, along with announcements of presenters and performers, will be revealed in the near future. Nominations for the "American Music Awards" will be announced on Tuesday, September 20.

A total of 21 publicly voted awards will be presented on this year's "American Music Awards." Nominations for the "American Music Awards" are in eight categories -- Pop/Rock, Country, Soul/Rhythm & Blues, Rap/Hip-Hop, Adult Contemporary, Latin Music, Contemporary Inspirational and Alternative Music.

Winners of the American Music Awards are selected by the public. A national sampling of approximately 20,000, taking into account geographic location, age, sex and ethnic origin, will be sent ballots by the National Family Opinion, Inc. firm under the supervision of Broadcast Research and Consulting, Inc. Names of the nominees on the ballot were compiled from data supplied by the music industry trade publication, Radio & Records, and the Nielsen Soundscan Inc., management information system. Results of the voting, tabulated by the Ernst & Young LLP accounting firm, are kept secret until envelopes are opened during the presentation ceremonies.

Executive producer of the "American Music Awards" is Allen Shapiro. Producer is Larry Klein, with Jeff Margolis directing. Writers will be Barry Adelman and Fred Bronson. Executive in charge of production is Bob Bardo. Associate producer is Don Harary. John Shaffner and Joe Stewart are the production designers. Talent executive is Melissa Trueblood. Executive in charge is Fran La Maina.