KEN EHRLICH RETURNS AS EXECUTIVE PRODUCER FOR "59TH PRIMETIME EMMY� AWARDS"

Veteran Television Producer Replaces Nigel Lythgoe and Ken Warwick On Telecast Airing Live Sunday, Sept. 16, on FOX

Ken Ehrlich will return as executive producer of the 59TH PRIMETIME EMMY� AWARDS after previously announced producers Nigel Lythgoe and Ken Warwick have stepped down. The announcement was made jointly today by Dick Askin, Chairman and CEO, Television Academy, and Peter Liguori, President of Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company.

"We respect Nigel and Ken's decision and are fortunate that Ken Ehrlich has agreed to return to executive-produce his fourth Primetime Emmy telecast. He did a terrific job with the Emmys last year, and we are glad to have him back," said Askin.

Said Lythgoe and Warwick: "After we wrapped the enormous effort of IDOL GIVES BACK, we looked at our upcoming slate of projects including the AMERICAN IDOL finale and the additional shows we will be involved in this summer, and realized that we could not devote the creative energy and time necessary to make the Emmys outstanding for the Academy and FOX."

The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences' 59TH PRIMETIME EMMY AWARDS will air live from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles Sunday, Sept. 16 (8:00-11:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX.

Ehrlich, who recently executive-produced "The 49th Annual Grammy Awards," is one of the industry's most accomplished producers of specials, concerts and notable live events. He has produced 27 Grammy Award telecasts and created and produced the "MTV Movie Awards," "VH1 Honors" and VH1's acclaimed "Divas" series. Additional credits include "Genius: A Night for Ray Charles," "Sports Illustrated's 20th Century Sports Awards," "The Fifth Annual Latin Grammy Awards" and "The Blockbuster Awards," among numerous other awards shows and tributes. He has also produced music specials for artists including Faith Hill, Celine Dion, Elton John, The Backstreet Boys, Shania Twain, Ricky Martin, *NSYNC, Aretha Franklin, Eric Clapton and Christina Aguilera.

Ehrlich also has been involved in the creation and production of the music-related series "Motown Live," "The Dennis Miller Show" and the landmark series "Fame." He produced the series of specials "Women Rock! Girls & Guitars" as well as several episodes of "Intimate Portraits" profiling female musical artists. This will mark Ehrlich's fourth time producing the Primetime Emmy Awards. He produced the "32nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards" in 1980, 2005's "57th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards and last year's "58th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards."

The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences was founded in 1946 just one month after network television was born. It is a non-profit organization devoted to the advancement of telecommunications arts and sciences and to fostering creative leadership in the telecommunications industry. In addition to recognizing outstanding programming through its Emmy Award, the Television Academy publishes Emmy Magazine and stages many industry-related programs, services and year-round events for the television community.

Nominations for the 59th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards will be announced Thursday, July 19, at 5:35 AM PT from the Television Academy's Leonard H. Goldenson Theatre in North Hollywood.