Drew Barrymore to Host ''AFI's 100Years...100 Laughs,'' CBS Special Airing June 13,2000.

Entertainment Editors

LOS ANGELES--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--May 4, 2000

Celebration Of The 100 Funniest American Movies

To Feature Appearances By Film's Funniest Stars,

Including Tim Allen, Billy Crystal, Cameron Diaz, Janeane Garafalo,

Steve Martin,

"America's sweetheart" Drew Barrymore ("Never Been Kissed," "Ever After") will host "AFI's 100 Years...100 Laughs," AFI announced today.

Paying tribute to the funniest American movies of the past 100 years, the entertainment special will be broadcast Tuesday, June 13 (8 to 11 PM, ET/PT and 7 PM CT) on the CBS Television Network. During the program, the confidential list of 100 of America's funniest films of all time will be revealed with commentary from some of film's biggest comedy stars. A wide array of funny films -- from slapstick comedy to romantic comedy; from satire and black comedy to musical comedy; from comedy of manners to comedy of errors -- will be represented.

The special is the third installment of AFI's salute to the 100th anniversary of American movies, following the last two critically-acclaimed network specials, "AFI's 100 Years...100 Movies" and "AFI's 100 Years...100 Stars," which sparked discussions of America's film history among millions across the nation. According to AFI Director and CEO Jean Picker Firstenberg, "Movies that make us laugh are often overlooked for major film awards. AFI hopes to give funny films the last laugh."

The celebrities interviewed for the special include Tim Allen, Milton Berle, Mel Brooks, Billy Crystal, Tony Curtis, Cameron Diaz, the Farrelly Brothers, Janeane Garafalo, Teri Garr, Whoopi Goldberg, David Alan Grier, Charles Grodin, Nathan Lane, Jack Lemmon, Barry Levinson, Shirley MacLaine, Marcel Marceau, Garry Marshall, Steve Martin, Sydney Pollack, Carl Reiner, Mickey Rooney, Martin Short, Ben Stiller, Lily Tomlin, Billy Wilder, Robin Williams and more.

"We are proud to announce that Drew Barrymore joins our celebration of America's funniest movies. She is not only one of today's top comedic actresses, but also a member of one of America's great acting dynasties, so with every smile, Drew projects a legacy of excellence in American film," said Firstenberg. "In addition, it is an honor to have such a tremendous response and the enthusiastic participation of some of the most talented and entertaining people in film."

AFI distributed a ballot with 500 nominated films to a jury of 1800 leaders from the film community, including film artists (directors, screenwriters, actors, editors, cinematographers, etc.), critics, historians and film executives. The jurors were asked to consider the following criteria while making their selections:

--  Feature-Length Fiction Film: The film must be in narrative format
    typically more than 60 minutes in length;

--  American Film: The film must be in the English language with
    significant creative and/or financial production elements from the
    United States;

--  Funny: Regardless of genre, the total comedic impact of a film's
    elements that creates an experience greater than the sum of the
    smiles;

--  Legacy: Laughs that echo across time, enriching America's film
    heritage and inspiring artists and audiences today.

Jurors were also allowed to include up to five write-in votes should a film they deem to be among America's funniest not appear on the AFI ballot. The 500 nominated films range alphabetically from "Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein" to "Zelig."

Cary Grant is the most represented actor in the 500 balloted films (17), and Jack Lemmon is the most represented living actor (14). Myrna Loy is the most represented actress in the 500 balloted films (10), and Shirley MacLaine is the most represented living actress (9).

As part of its continuing effort to increase awareness and appreciation of American film history, "AFI's 100 Years...100 Laughs" is supported by an AFI Web site, in-theater trailers and a video retail program. 20th Century Fox, Anheuser-Busch, AT&T, Blockbuster, General Motors, Johnson & Johnson, Merck, Paramount Pictures, Pepsi, Universal Studios, U.S. Postal Service, Walt Disney Pictures and Warner Bros. are sponsors of AFI's continuing commemoration of the centennial of American movies.

Drew Barrymore has been in more than 30 motion pictures since entering show business at the age of two. Besides acting, she has also enjoyed success as an executive producer on projects for the feature film and television industries. Some of her feature film credits include "Never Been Kissed," "Home Fries," "Ever After," "The Wedding Singer," "Everyone Says I Love You," "Batman Forever," "ET: The Extra Terrestrial," "Scream" and the upcoming "Charlie's Angels."

"AFI's 100 Years...100 Movies" (1998) and "AFI's 100 Years...100 Stars" (1999) were each viewed by more than 11 million people, winning their respective time periods. Multiple-Emmy Award-winner Gary Smith ("The Tony Awards," the 1993 and 1997 Presidential Inaugural Gala) is the executive producer and director of "AFI's 100 Years...100 Laughs" for Smith-Hemion Productions. Former AFI board chairman Frederick S. Pierce is the executive producer for AFI. Dan Netter ("The Snowden Raggedy Ann & Andy Holiday Show," "50 Years of Television") and Fred A. Rappoport ("The Kennedy Center's 25th Anniversary Celebration," "The Country Music Hall of Fame 25th Anniversary") are the producers. Bob Gazzale serves as director, AFI Productions.

AFI is the preeminent national organization dedicated to advancing and preserving the art of film, television and other forms of the moving image. AFI trains the next generation of filmmakers, coordinates nationwide film preservation efforts and explores new technologies in movie-making. AFI presents the best of film through a major film festival in Los Angeles, the AFI Theater in the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and the annual AFI Life Achievement Awards, the highest honor given for a career in film. More information can be found by visiting its award-winning Web site, located at www.AFIonline.org.