Last week, industry insiders were speculating that red carpet arrivals would be relatively low-key this year -and inclined to tone down the glitz and the glamour - because of the troubled economy.
The theory?
Since common folks around the country have been struggling to make ends meet, many thought it might be prudent for Hollywwood's elite to refrain from traipsing down the red carpet in a vulgar display of jewels and expensive couture gowns, while the rest of the country was hurting.
But, when the carpet was rolled out at the Kodak, and sleek limos purred up to the curb, it was obvious the celebration would be big and splashy.
At this juncture, the experts did an about-face.
"This is what people want to see. The glitz and glamour of Hollywood," chirped Randolph Duke, a fashionista reporting from the wings.
Personally, I found the red carpet coverage more entertaining than the main event.
Stars fluttered in front of the camera for a second or two, offered up a few insightful comments, then moved on.
The Oscar show needed more of that!
The overly-long boring telecast amounted to nothing but talk! talk! talk!
In spite of the fact producers tried to keep the names of presenters and performers under wraps, one anonymous insider revealed that actor - Robert Pattinson - would be doing the honors.
The Vampire heart-throb laughed when it was pointed out that he was the only one who got special advance warning.
"I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing," he chuckled in a sexy accent.
Mickey Rourke, who many were pulling for to win the little gold statutette (Wrestler), had a poignant moment or two.
"I'm happy to be invited back to the dance."
After the interviewer threw some comments his way about his wardrobe choices (last night he sauntered down the the carpet in a white dinner jacket with matching dress slacks and a flourish of black underneath) he insightfully noted that Rourke tended to do things his own way.
Quick on the uptake, Rourke quipped:
"You pay a price when you do things your way."
Valentino - the celebrated fashion designer who has dressed the great beauties of the world (in fact, over the years many Oscar-winners have dashed up to the podium in one of his delicious couture pieces which flatter the female form) - was also trotted out.
He is retired now, and looks a bit mumified, but still has irons in the fire.
As usual, there were many fashion disasters.
On a morning radio show, one woman joked that Myley Cyrus appeared to be wearing a tacky chandelier.
What grated on my nerves was that high-pitched squeaky speaking voice of hers.
She should be playing cartoon characters on Saturday morning kid shows.
Robert Downey Junior was calm and in control as his pretty wife stood by his side.
"Your wife produced your next movie, Sherlock Holmes," noted the entertainment host.
"How was that?"
"It has its fine points," he smirked.
Anne Hathaway looked stunning in an elegant gown which accented her lithe pretty figure.
"Are you wearing anything that is yours," the interviewer probed.
"I can't tell you," she giggled.
I didnt' see any VPL (Visible Panty Line) so I have to wonder if she ran the gauntlet sans panties.
Viola Davis, who played opposite Meryl Streep in "Doubt", was asked how it was working with the seasoned pro.
"I had to take stress tabs," she laughed.
Valentino - the celebrated fashion designer who has dressed the great beauties of the world (in fact, over the years many Oscar-winners have dashed up to the podium in one of his delicious couture pieces which flatter the female form) - was also trotted out.
He is retired now, and looks a bit mumified, but still has irons in the fire.
As usual, there were many fashion disasters.
On a morning radio show, one woman joked that Myley Cyrus appeared to be wearing a tacky chandelier.
What grated on my nerves was that high-pitched squeaky speaking voice of hers.
She should be playing cartoon characters on Saturday morning kid shows.
Robert Downey Junior was calm and in control as his pretty wife stood by his side.
"Your wife produced your next movie, Sherlock Holmes," noted the entertainment host.
"How was that?"
"It has its fine points," he smirked.
Anne Hathaway looked stunning in an elegant gown which accented her lithe pretty figure.
"Are you wearing anything that is yours," the interviewer probed.
"I can't tell you," she giggled.
I didnt' see any VPL (Visible Panty Line) so I have to wonder if she ran the gauntlet sans panties.
Viola Davis, who played opposite Meryl Streep in "Doubt", was asked how it was working with the seasoned pro.
"I had to take stress tabs," she laughed.
She seemed to double-think that comment for a moment, then hastily added - "homeopathic" - as she spoke directly into the camera.
Queen Latifa was a fashion disaster!
She struck me as ceremonial barge floating down the carpet.
Mr. Duke was a tad critical of Melissa Tomei's - um - gown.
"It looks like a bunch of serviettes tacked on here and there," he snidely remarked.
"A napkin should be in your lap at the dinner table," he noted with an acid tongue.
Ouch!
There was odd moments, too.
When Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie (who looked stunning) stopped to chat with George Pedacio from ABC TV, Pitt gave the entertainment reporter strange furtive looks.
Surely, in view of the fact Brad is an actor, he is keenly aware that a thought transmits openly across the face.
Queen Latifa was a fashion disaster!
She struck me as ceremonial barge floating down the carpet.
Mr. Duke was a tad critical of Melissa Tomei's - um - gown.
"It looks like a bunch of serviettes tacked on here and there," he snidely remarked.
"A napkin should be in your lap at the dinner table," he noted with an acid tongue.
Ouch!
There was odd moments, too.
When Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie (who looked stunning) stopped to chat with George Pedacio from ABC TV, Pitt gave the entertainment reporter strange furtive looks.
Surely, in view of the fact Brad is an actor, he is keenly aware that a thought transmits openly across the face.
In this instant case, I got the impression the studly star thought George was a silly goose!
Or, just maybe, George gazed too deeply into Pitt's baby blue eyes, and it was a turn off for the Oscar-nominated star?
By the way, did anyone see Jerry Lewis on the red carpet?
I understand that he was keeping a low profile (gee, I wonder why).
After he received the Jean Hersholt Award, he slunk back stage and wouldn't talk to reporters.
After his little stunt last night - not addressing the big "issue" that has been in the news of late - I am inclined to take the position that Mr. Lewis did not deserve the award.
Maybe that's why his appearance on stage was so awkward when he accepted the trinket.
Mr. Lewis was probably painfully aware of that!
Or, just maybe, George gazed too deeply into Pitt's baby blue eyes, and it was a turn off for the Oscar-nominated star?
By the way, did anyone see Jerry Lewis on the red carpet?
I understand that he was keeping a low profile (gee, I wonder why).
After he received the Jean Hersholt Award, he slunk back stage and wouldn't talk to reporters.
After his little stunt last night - not addressing the big "issue" that has been in the news of late - I am inclined to take the position that Mr. Lewis did not deserve the award.
Maybe that's why his appearance on stage was so awkward when he accepted the trinket.
Mr. Lewis was probably painfully aware of that!
Albert Schweitzer said it best:
"Humanitarianism consists in never sacrificing a human being to a purpose."
"Humanitarianism consists in never sacrificing a human being to a purpose."
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