Hamish Hamilton is The Guy

As Nikki Finke foretold:

Beverly Hills, CA (November 18, 2009) — Hamish Hamilton will direct the 82nd Academy Awards^® telecast, show producers Bill Mechanic and Adam Shankman announced today. It will be Hamilton’s first time directing the Oscar show.

“Hamish is a first-rate live-show director who will bring enthusiasm, experience and a fresh eye to the table,” said Shankman. “He’s also a master of working with all of the latest technology in television production, which speaks to the kind of cutting-edge show Bill and I are planning.”

“Adam and I know that having Hamish at the helm will give us the right style and energy for the show we want to produce,” added Mechanic. “And his approach definitely won’t feel like ‘business as usual.’”