JIMMY KIMMEL TO HOST 32nd ANNUAL "AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS," AIRING NOVEMBER 14 ON ABC

For the second year in a row, late-night talk show host, writer, producer and sports prognosticator Jimmy Kimmel will host the 32nd annual "American Music Awards," which will air live SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 14 (8:00-11:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network. The special is a presentation of dick clark productions, inc., with Clark serving as executive producer, and will originate from Los Angeles, California.

This marks the second consecutive year that Kimmel will serve as host for the gala music awards special. He is also the host and executive producer of ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live," which features a diverse lineup of guests that includes celebrities, athletes, comedians, musical acts, human interest subjects and dangerously crazy people, along with comedy bits and a house band. In addition he is co-creator and producer of the hit series "Crank Yankers," which airs on Comedy Central. "Crank Yankers" features real, outrageous crank calls re-enacted by puppets, voiced by Kimmel, Adam Carolla, and other celebrities. Kimmel also executive-produced the critically acclaimed feature film, "Windy City Heat." Previously he hosted the "Man Show" on Comedy Central, appeared every Sunday during football season on "Fox NFL Sunday," and hosted "Win Ben Stein's Money," for which he won an Emmy.

Dick Clark noted: "We're excited to have Jimmy back again as our host. He showed last year that his unpredictability and ability to react to situations around him allows him to bring a unique sense of humor to the stage and to keep the show moving at a fast pace."

Joked Kimmel: "It is an honor to be nominated and I promise that my duet with Christina Aguilera will be a performance that will not be soon forgotten."

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 tomorrow (Tuesday, September 14).

A total of 19 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 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.

Producer of the television special is Larry Klein, with Bruce Gowers 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.