Busy sked will leave fave emcee no time for kudocast

LOS ANGELES – The movie awards season has only just begun, and already the Oscars race finds itself eclipsed by the shadow of the previous master of ceremoni — perennial orite Billy Crystal is out of the running. Crystal, whose quick wit and polish have made him the clear emcee of choice in recent years, said this week he’ll have no time to prepare for the March 25 Academy Awards show because he will just be wrapping up his latest film project, ‘America’s Sweethearts.’

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