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Some little girls played house, others daydreamed about their wedding day. I watched TV. Lots and lots of TV. And on Sunday, this (grown up) girl will fulfill a lifelong dream... attending the Emmy Awards.
I will bring you the winners, the losers and everything inbetween.
Tune in Sunday, September 16th for the best -- and worst -- TV has to offer.
Love,
Lizz
It's time for the 79th Annual Academy Awards and we have complete -- and unique -- coverage. This year we're bringing you live updates of everything from Oscars fashion to winners interviews. You can follow two liveblogs; one from backstage at the Oscars, the other from the comfort of an armchair. Read what our Web producers are seeing from these two very different perspectives.
Welcome To Hollywood's Biggest Night
They get glammed up, brushed up and touched up. They pose for the cameras, they sit for the show. They prepare an acceptance speech, few get to give it... the lucky ones go backstage. Now what? We are there to greet the stars just as they receive the highest honor in showbiz. On behalf of the entire Web team, I'm Caroline Ghali. We hope you enjoy our Oscars backstage liveblog…
Cheeseburger, anyone?
My first impression at the Oscars is that all these celebrities do, in fact, have 'magazine bodies.' I had comfort with the 'everything is photoshoped' idea. Very inspiring... I wonder where is the nearest In-N-Out –- or for those of you on the East Coast – make it a really cool burger place.
"Some people rock-climb and some people skydive. I host the Oscars"
"Some people rock-climb and some people skydive. I host the Oscars," Ellen DeGeneres told the Associated Press. Laura Ziskin, producer of the 79th Academy Awards said of DeGeneres, "She's just born to do this." Apparently, she was right. DeGeneres wit tonight is quick and precise as usual. It has been a six-year-dream for her until the academy finally asked her. Lets hope it won't be another six years until we see her again on Oscar's stage. The night is just starting and with her hosting the show, one only expects pleasant surprises… stay tuned.
The Year Of 'Babel'
People from different backgrounds express themselves differently... and since tonight is Oscars night where multi-cultural movies are being honored, I decided to look deep into the culture of Hollywood. If you lived in Europe or visited, you've noticed the two kisses on both cheeks... in other cultures it's three... some give one on the nose but that's another story; others bow. I think the more advanced the country is the less kisses people get. In L.A. we give one, to the point... or half a hug if you are a rapper or a wanna be! So now the Hollywood kiss... the ones in the air... moi moi... love you darling... very Hollywood... very pressed... no time to waste for time is money. So here's the deal, if they really like you, you get the wave too, that's solid friendship right there. If they don't, you get a finger but that's universal.
But jokes aside, it is impressive to see how Hollywood has come around with such a diversified list of nominees, winning or not, it is truly the year of 'Babel.'
Murphy Realizes A Partial Dream
Eddie Murphy has said publicly he'd never be nominated for an Oscar – particularly after his 1989 appearance when he joked about African Americans routinely being dissed by the academy. Fast forward to Oscar night 2007, Murphy did look like a winner but unfortunate for him, he lost to Alan Arkin, who was fabulous in "Little Miss Sunshine."
We're still glad to have Jackie Earle Haley back
Jackie Earle Haley got his Oscar nod for his first work in 13 years. According to the Hollywood Reporter, he spent the past several years working in the Alamo City as a limo driver, security guard and pizza deliverer. He said, after learning about his nomination, he felt a "wonderful sense of validation." Well, Oscar or not, Haley's performance in "Little Children" was indeed Oscar worthy. He said he was going to "walk around high as a kite, on cloud nine" on Oscar night no matter what the outcome was. I sure hope he holds on to that cloud and make more movies while he's at it. After all, a limo driver with such talent will be an awful waste... Brad Pitt, anyone?
'Borat' Passes On Presenting Oscar
If comedy is meant to shock you, as some critics would argue, then the hugely debated comedy "Borat" was the real deal. Here is the confusion, "Borat" is said to be a largely unscripted film, now, do you get a best script nod for that? Apparently yes. But the big prize went to the writers of "The Departed," an arguably twisted plot that is hard to resist.
Much to the relief of some, and the disappointment of others, Sacha Baron Cohen refused to be a presenter at the Oscars tonight because he could not appear as his famous character Borat Sagdiyev. The British comedian has been reluctant to make appearances as himself, preferring to do interviews as the star of the faux documentary "Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan."
"Here Stevie, take the picture"
With some of the best filmmakers in Hollywood's history going up against one another, the directors' race is an exceptionally exciting one this year. "The Departed" -- a crime drama that has turned out to be Martin Scorsese's top-grossing film -- is Scorsese's eighth nomination. While war movie "Letters from Iwo Jima" is Clint Eastwood's fourth nomination as best director. The last time the two directors went up against each other was in 2004, Scorsese was again an early favorite, but on the night the award went to Eastwood for "Million Dollar Baby."
Dreams Do Come True
In a town where dreams come true everyday, the dreams for 'Dreamgirls' were no exception. Hudson's win was no surprise. She had generated the most buzz for her portrayal of Effie White and had already been honored by topnotch critics. It was only befitted that she would walk away tonight with the best supporting actress prize.
What does that do to her 'confidence' now?
Jennifer Hudson gave the night's most heartfelt acceptance speech so far. "Thank you all for helping me to keep the faith even when I didn't believe," she said. Jennifer's 'confidence' got a boost at the Golden Globes. "You have no idea what this does to my confidence," she told the Globes' crowd in her acceptance speech. Now, with the Oscar under her belt, it seems the former 'American Idol' contestant will now be reaching for the stars and taking her 'confidence' to a whole new level.
The Sun Sets On 'Sunshine'
Two people must be relieved right now, Albert Berger and Ron Yerxa, whom the academy decided that they did not meet its guidelines for inclusion as producers of 'Sunshine.' According to guild guidelines, a producer exercises decision-making authority in one or more of four areas of filmmaking, development, pre-production, production and post-production/marketing. Rules adopted by the academy in 2000 limits credited producers to three. "Little Miss Sunshine" has five credited producers. I am sure Berger and Yerxa wanted 'Sunshine' to win but I'm also positive it would have been very hard not to see themselves up there with their co-producers when their own movie was being honored.
All Hail The Other 'Queen'
Helen Mirren's final scene in "The Queen" sealed the Oscar deal. Now a big salute to the other 'queen,' the one of motion pictures. Meryl Streep's nod for "The Devil Wears Prada" is her record 14th nomination — including 11 leading and three supporting roles. Of course, not making it tonight is totally her fault for giving one great performance after the other. She really has to start appearing like she is acting for a change to start winning awards again. God forbids she gives a bad performance and I guarantee people will start noticing.
Whitaker: "We can create a new reality... "
No Oscar would be complete without the 'I am just an actor from a trailer park with a dream' speech. Forest Whitaker did not say that tonight but came close. "When I was a kid," he said, "the only way I saw a movie was from a backseat of my family's car." It was a solid acceptance speech and best of all, heartfelt. Whitaker's portrayal of Ugandan dictator Idi Amin has already won him a Golden Globe and if that was not an Oscar worthy performance then none was.
The 'Little' Movie That Could
'Little Miss Sunshine' --- about a dysfunctional family on a road trip, trying to help their young daughter's dreams come true --- dreamt all the way to the Oscars. 'Sunshine' didn't win the big prize tonight but if life imitates art, the treasure should be in its journey -- Sunshine's producers would have preferred the treasure to be in the envelope, I bet -- A relatively low budget flick that made it big… and for those who haven't seen the movie and don't intend to, no… the little girl didn't win the pageant either but the journey changed their lives.
The Departed Spell - Scorsese Finally Makes It
Hollywood's biggest honor for a filmmaker finally went to Martin Scorsese. With "The Departed," Scorsese returned to the gangster genre whose modern conventions he pioneered with "Mean Streets," "Taxi Driver" and "Goodfellas." I have seen "The Departed" -- It is not "Goodfellas" but it has a great cast. How can you not like a movie with fellas like Leo, Damon, Wahlberg and the man himself - Jack Nicholson... terrific performances all-around. Scorsese has been overlooked seven times in the past, so this Oscar win was long overdue.
The Night I Covered The Awards...
The night I covered the Academy Awards I had a great up-close insight into the business of Hollywood. For every, say, 300 major stars you see, there are 3,000 people working behind them. Publicists, photographers, caterers, shoulders to cry ons, managers, agents, stylists, assistants to yell ats, reporters, parents, sisters, guards to carry their bags, masseuses to calm their nerves, trainers to melt their fats, nutritionists to control their carbs... the fuel that keeps this giant machine going. So giant that it generates billions of dollars a year. In 2005, for instance, Hollywood sold about $8.99 billion worth of tickets in the U.S., while international sales were $14.3 billion, according to the Motion Picture Association of America. The movie industry is a powerful factor in the U.S. economy... and that can be obvious from a single seat backstage. If glamour is what you see sitting in front of your television sets at home, hard work is what strikes you backstage... the number of people involved from security, valets, ushers, organizers... and, of course, divorce lawyers.
Until next year, see you at the movies...
Behind the scenes at the Academy Awards is a totally different scene than that of the spotlight. Away from the glamour, the flashes and the cheers, they are all a bunch of hardworking folks. People are moving fast and all of them are on a mission. Organized chaos. I see a lot of reporters focused on the task at hand, not taken by any of that surreal milieu. I see myself in many of them... a match made in backstage world. Well, my job is done here. So, in my new Hollywood ways, I tell you all goodnight and I send you air kisses. I am totally going to In-N-Out -- or for those of you on the East Coast -- make it a really cool burger place.
Greetings from my living room! I'm Lizz Westman, one of CBS 2's Web producers, and I'll be blogging all night from my couch. I've spent most of the weekend preparing for this moment -- making the snacks, fluffing the pillows, getting the remote and DVR to work perfectly... So far, so good. This is a big night for me, as the Academy Awards are like my Super Bowl. Minus the Cheetos and adding a lot more champagne... I mean, um, coffee.
The Excitement Begins -- 4:45 p.m.
I've been in the process of soaking up pre-Oscar fashion hoopla with my dog, Oliver, for hours. We've been watching the interviews and segments and historical documentaries since about noon. (Actually, he's currently asleep. I don't think he cares much for clothing. However, I do know that he loves shoes.)
Here's my scorecard so far -- since what you wear to the event can mean more than why you're there for in the first place:
Jennifer Lopez is in the lead with her vintage-looking pink and jeweled dress. As much as she looks like a goddess, I can't even imagine how heavy this ensemble is. Wow, that ring is the size of my car. And knowing J. Lo, it's probably real. I wonder how many security people are attached to that bling.
Rachel Weisz gets a shout for pulling off taupe, which almost impossible. And her hair looks fantastic. She should stay auburn.
You know how poisonous plants tend to be brightly colored as a natural warning to keep animals away? Well, Sally Kirkland I can see you two miles from the Kodak. But you're crazy and fabulous, so it works. Plus you're the only woman at Hollywood and Highland in a cape, so you can avoid the usual limo traffic jam and hang glide to the parties. Awesome.
Cameron Diaz will make headlines tomorrow for that mermaid meets an envelope ensemble, but I don't think they're going to be the ones she's after.
PETA seems to be following Kelly Preston around the red carpet with a poised bucket of red paint. Maybe she got the cougar stereotype confused.
Ladies and gentlemen, brown is the new black. Djimon Hounsou's tuxedo proves it.
Beyonce and Gwyneth -- I understand when you're that pretty and your hair and makeup is fabulous, you think you can wear anything, but you can't. You really can't.
Helen Mirren may have taken J.Lo's best-dressed title away. Unbelievable. No wonder they made her the Queen.
Speaking of Queens, Ms. Latifah looks fantastic in an art deco-inspired piece.
I never thought I'd say this, but I'm really enjoying Celine Dion, No, I'm sorry, that was a lie. I meant Celine's dress. Maybe green is the new black.
Opening Montage -- 5:30 p.m.
This is pretty good. I love Peter O'Toole. Honestly funny stuff, I just wish it didn't remind me of an Apple commercial. Apparently they used every single nominee. That's kind of nice.
Ellen's Monologue -- 5:45 p.m.
Ellen, you're fantastic. Thank for the advice. Someday, when I win my award (yet to be determined), I will tell everyone that I lived in my car, grew up in the Bronx and couldn't read. And thank you a million times for the Al Gore and tolerance jokes.
Art Decoration -- 5:47 p.m.
Pan's Labyrinth won, which is absolutely fantastic. I have a feeling the Americans won't do well tonight.
What Was That? -- 5:50 p.m.
I thought the Academy got rid of interpretive dance. I'm officially creeped out.
Singing Comedians -- 5:55 p.m.
Not bad, even with singing. However, I'm pretty sure my college gave out fellowships for the plot of Will Ferrell's serious movie. BTW, Will, please keep your white man's afro. Hair-larious.
Makeup -- 5:58 p.m.
Pan's Labyrinth wins again. That woman's dress is fantastic.
Shorts -- 6:00 p.m.
Little kids reading pap for cartoons and making unfunny height jokes. What will that wacky Academy think of next? Awwwwwww.
The Danes win Best Animated Short, but Americans get Live Action Short film. USA! USA!
Sound Effects Choir -- 6:12 p.m.
Seriously? A choir of sound effects? Seriously?
I'm going to get a snack.
Sound Effects, Mixing -- 6:20 p.m.
Dreamgirls won. So did Letters from Iwo Jima... or was it Flags of our Fathers? No, Iwo Jima.
I just read on a rival blog that this is turning out to be the most boring show yet. My dog is still asleep, but seemed excited about the snack. He's asleep again.
Best Supporting Actor -- 6:26 p.m.
Woo hoo! An award I care about, and Alan Arkin won! Hurrah. I really hope Little Miss Sunshine does a sweep. Alan Arkin made that film for me.
Meanwhile, Rachel Weisz's dress was even more beautiful up close.
Al Gore and Leo -- 6:40 p.m.
Am I the only person who finds it ironic that SUVs keep advertising on an awards show that has gone green? Also: Al Gore is funny. Watch out Will Ferrell.
Animated Features -- 6:45 p.m.
Happy Feet wins. Meanwhile, gratuitous CGI has just replaced interpretive dance as the focus of my nightmares.
Writing Montage -- 6:49 p.m.
Jack is a ham. The piece was cute, but maybe I'm projecting.
Best Adapted Screenplay -- 6:55 p.m.
Good pap writing and follow through. Well played, Hanks and Mirren.
Why do they keep flashing "Well do ya, punk?"
Meanwhile, The Departed won. For a second I thought the announcer said that he based his screenplay on Boston lobsters. Another drug joke and Peter O'Toole reference.
Commercial Break -- 6:58 p.m.
Remember when I said the Oscars were like my Super Bowl? I love that the commercials are just as fantastic. And nothing beats the Wes Anderson American Express ad.
Costume Design -- 7:02 p.m.
Secretly my favorite award as I seem to hold grudges for this one years later -- I'm still personally offended that Elizabeth didn't win. Ooh, but Marie Antoinette did!
Great jokes with the Devil Wears Prada cast. I've worked in publishing in New York and found the movie to be more of a documentary than a satire, ha ha.
Cinematography -- 7:12 p.m.
Pan's Labyrinth wins again. This might be the first awards show in years that my picks are doing well.
Meanwhile, Gwyneth, I beg you to take out those extensions Britney-style.
Visual Effects -- 7:22 p.m.
Pirates won and the smarty pants winners used Ellen's suggestion of being both blind and from the Bronx... unfortunately nothing could beat Robert Downey Jr.'s joke of watching things crawl up the wall throughout the Nineties. Best of the night.
Best Foreign Language Film -- 7:30 p.m.
First of all, I would like to let it be known that I will watch anything with Clive Owen. Second, Cate Blanchett looks like she could be Oscar's wife -- in a good way.
Germany wins for The Lives of Others. Was Pan panned? Mayhaps not as everyone knows it should have been nominated as best picture. And kudos to the non-German-accented director for talking past the music.
This Is Why Ellen Rules -- 7:32 p.m.
Ms. DeGeneres, thank you for making fun of the weakest part of the night. And the shout out to Snakes on a Plane.
George Clooney, I Mean Best Supporting Actress -- 7:38 p.m.
Sorry Clive, I'd watch George read the phone book -- even Jewel's poetry.
So Jennifer Hudson won -- big surprise. I was rooting for Abby, but something tells me this will not be her only nomination. Meanwhile, Jennifer looks gorgeous.
Best Documentary Short -- 7:44 p.m.
Honestly, Oscar, it's just one dreamboat after another. Gael García Bernal? He was so cute in the Motorcycle Diaries. Soo cute. And he looks really good in glasses. Meanwhile, The Blood of the Yingzhou District won.
Best Documentary -- 7:49 p.m.
Did you ever notice that Jerry Seinfeld disappeared? Neither did I. Well, that headache went away. Ugh, for whatever reason it is back.
But new comedy heavyweight Al Gore -- and director Davis Guggenheim -- took the award. And gave a fantastic speech.
Celine Sings -- 7:56 p.m.
Celine, what happened to your beautiful green dress?
Best Original Score -- 8:07 p.m.
Babel wins score. And by score I mean music. I think Pan's Labyrinth is still ahead of the rest.
Best Original Screenplay -- 8:14 p.m.
Little Miss Sunshine wins! Little Miss Sunshine wins! Little Miss Sunshine wins!
Say what??? -- 8:20 p.m.
Have I been blogging too long or did I just hear the announcer say Jennifer Lopez was "an excellent reason for high definition television" because I swear I just actually heard the wheels of time turn back 50 years and the feminist movement get sucked back into a vortex. Girl looks good, but not enough to give up my right to vote or wear jeans.
Wow. The Dreamgirls reunited. Maybe that step back was supposed to be in conjunction with the whole Sixties motif.
Best Original Song -- 8:40 p.m.
So the movement went forward again... thanks to Melissa Etheridge and An Inconvenient Truth. Irony, you make me giggle.
Memorial -- 8:45 p.m.
Since I was a kid, this has been my favorite part of the ceremony. Creepy? Yes. (Weird kid.) I just like to see how many people -- well beyond headline-stealing actors -- are missed and applauded by those in the know. And then, of course, you get to see tributes to men like Jack Palance, real men who aren't afraid to move into one-armed push-ups when they receive their award.
Actress In A Leading Role -- 8:53 p.m.
Helen Mirren won for The Queen. My goodness she looks gorgeous. I suppose this is as surprising as Hudson's win, but just as rewarding. At least for me, I had this one picked.
Actor In A Leading Role -- 9:03 p.m.
For the love of goddess, please let my boy, Peter O'Toole, win. (And feed young Reese a sandwich.)
Forrest won. He's an amazing actor, but I have been gunning for Peter since the nominations. Also: I've been trying my best to stalk him down and share a martini all week. (Apparently Mr. O'Toole doesn't hang out in my living room or CBS 2.)
Hell Freezes Over -- 9:08 p.m.
Martin Scorcese actually wins an Academy Award. Does this make up for O'Toole? No. But it does make up for Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, and every other film he's made in a million years. Also: I'm not a gambler, but I now owe a lot of people a lot of money.
Best Motion Picture -- 9:14 p.m.
Again? Fabulous.
Wrap It Up
This is my first time covering the Oscars -- albeit from home and in my "good sweats" -- and it was even better than I thought it could be. Martin Scorcese won. So did Alan Arkin. So did An Inconvenient Truth. I'd like to think my influence had a lot to do with all of it. But to be honest, my work could not even begin to exist without the help of many, many others:
First, I'd like to thank my dog Oliver for keeping me company all night and refusing to sit through any terrible montages. I'd also like to thank my family and friends for their support -- we did it! I'd like to thank my coffee dealers at Starbucks; I know I couldn't have made it without you. Also, the good people at the DVR company who allowed me to fast-forward through every freaky dance number. My brother, the boy who refuses to watch TV, yet loves to call me in the middle of my work to help me keep things real. And, finally, Ellen DeGeneres for making the show actually entertaining to blog and enjoy.
Love,
Lizz
