Los Angeles, CA (Thurs., Feb. 17, 2005) - Larry Mantle, host of AirTalk, on 89.3 KPCC, will tape a special two-hour FilmWeek Oscar program at Hollywood's historic Egyptian Theatre on February 24 from 8 to 10 p.m. The theatre is located at 6712 Hollywood Boulevard (between Las Palmas and McCadden). The public is invited to attend the program which will include clips from this year's nominated films. General admission tickets are available at the Egyptian Theatre Box Office for $9.00.

Joining Mantle are eight FilmWeek critics who will discuss their Oscar picks for the 2004 Academy Awards being presented on February 27. Scheduled to attend are: F.X. Feeney of LA Weekly; Andy Klein, film editor and chief critic for CityBeat and ValleyBeat; Lael Loewenstein of Variety; Jean Oppenheimer of New Times; Peter Rainer, past President of the National Society of Film Critics, Henry Sheehan of HenrySheehan.com; Charles Solomon, animation critic for Amazon.com; and Ella Taylor of LA Weekly. The second annual FilmWeek Academy Awards preview show will be broadcast on 89.3 KPCC on Friday, February 25 from 10 a.m. to noon.

KPCC is the flagship station of Southern California Public Radio. In the past three years KPCC has won more awards for excellence in journalism than any other radio station in Southern California. KPCC is also the fastest-growing public radio station in the country, airing the signature public radio news and talk programs from NPR, along with Air Talk with Larry Mantle weekdays from 10 a.m.- 12 Noon, and Talk of the City with Kitty Felde weekdays from 2-3 p.m. Visit www.kpcc.org for more information.