The 15th Annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards Announces Kristin Chenoweth to Host Awards Gala

AWARDS CEREMONY TO BE BROADCAST LIVE ON VH1 FRIDAY, JANUARY 15 AT 9:00 PM*

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Dec. 9 -- The Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA) has announced that Emmy and Tony Award winning actress Kristin Chenoweth will be taking the stage as host for the 15th Annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards gala on Friday, January 15, 2010 at the Hollywood Palladium.

Kristin Chenoweth effortlessly transitions between stage, film and television. Chenoweth recently received the 2009 Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her memorable performance in the ABC series Pushing Daisies. On the stage, Chenoweth is best known for her show-stealing, Tony Award winning performance in You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown and her triumphant star turn when she originated the role of Glinda the Good Witch in Wicked, which earned her a leading actress Tony Award nomination. Chenoweth recently starred in the highly rated Lifetime Original Movie The Twelve Men of Christmas and will next be seen in Disney's 2010 release of You Again with Jamie Lee Curtis and Kristen Bell. She will also return to Broadway in Spring 2010, starring alongside Sean Hayes in the much-anticipated revival of Promises, Promises.

"We are delighted to have a triple threat such as Kristin Chenoweth, a multiple award-wining star of the stage, film and television, as host for our show," said Tom Calderone, President of VH1. "Kristin is hugely talented with broad appeal and will bring a tremendous energy to the live ceremony. Truly anything can happen in a live show, and Kristin thrives in that electric environment."

"Kristin is a tremendous choice to host the Critics' Choice Movie Awards and we are extremely fortunate to have her on board," said Joey Berlin, BFCA President. "Kristin is a class act who is respected and admired by critics and audiences alike. She will contribute greatly to success of this show."

The 15th Annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards gala will air live for the third straight year on VH1 on Friday, January 15, 2010 at 9:00 PM*. The awards are bestowed annually by the BFCA to honor the finest in cinematic achievement. Since its inception in 1995, the Critics' Choice Movie Awards has been a star-studded bellwether event of the awards season and historically, the most accurate predictor of the Academy Award nominations.

Nominations for the 15th Annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards will be announced on Monday, December 14, 2009.

The 15th Annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards is executive produced by Bob Bain, Joey Berlin, Jesse Ignjatovic and Lee Rolontz. Paul Flattery serves as producer and Kelly Brock as co-producer.

About Broadcast Film Critics Association

The Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA) is the largest film critics' organization in the United States and Canada, representing more than 200 television, radio and online critics. BFCA members are the primary source of information for today's film going public. The very first opinion a moviegoer hears about new releases at the multiplex or the art house usually comes from one of its members.

About VH1

VH1 connects viewers to the music, artists and pop culture that matter to them most with TV series, specials, live events, exclusive online content and public affairs initiatives. VH1 is available in 95 million households in the U.S. VH1 also has an array of digital channels and services including VH1Classic, VH1 Soul, VH1 Mobile, VH1Games and extensive broadband video on VH1.com. Connect with VH1 at VH1.com.

* All times ET/PT