Tag: Oscars 2010

Ben Stiller Reveals the Truth Behind Sacha Baron Cohen’s Squashed Oscar Bit

Ben Stiller was on Howard Stern last week and discussed his nixed ‘Avatar’ bit that he was set to do with Sacha Baron Cohen at the Oscars.  Many of you might remember Stiller dressed in blue at the Oscars, while making fun of ‘Avatar.’  Stiller was originally supposed to do the bit with Sacha Baron Cohen, who backed out at the last minute, allegedly because Oscar Producer’s feared that Cohen would offend James Cameron.  Cameron came forward and said that he didn’t mind being made fun of, but many still thought that Cameron’s feelings were behind the nixed bit.  Stiller put the rumors to rest, saying that Cohen himself pulled out of the bit, and it had nothing to do with either Cameron or Oscar Producers.  Click on the link below to watch Stiller at the Oscars. 

Stiller Making fun of Avatar 


Sandra Bullock May be Part of the Oscar Curse

If the rumors about Sandra Bullock and Jesse James are true, she will join a long line of women that had relationships end after getting an Oscar. So are these men not “man enough” to handle a woman’s success? I doubt it. I think that these marriages were probably over prior to the Oscars, and the couples stayed together to avoid drawing attention away from awards season. See the unfortunate list below.

[Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillipe after she won for ‘Walk the Line’]

[Hilary Swank holding the Oscar for ‘Million Dollar Baby.’ Her and Chad Lowe split shortly thereafter]

[Julia Roberts and Benjamin Bratt after she won for Erin Brockovich]

[Halle Berry and Eric Benet after she won for ‘Monster’s Ball’

[Kate Winslet and Sam Mendes after she won for ‘The Reader’

[Kim Basinger and Alec Baldwin – they split shortly after she won Best Actress for L.A. Confidential]

Director of ‘The Cove’ Finally Gets to Give his Oscar Speech

Louie Psihoyos, director of ‘The Cove,’ was finally able to give the Oscar speech that he was robbed of at the actual ceremony.  I’m not sure if you noticed this at the Oscars, but when ‘The Cove’ won for Best Documentary, Ric O’Barry (a dolphin activist) held up a sign that said “Text Dolphin to 44144.”  The Oscars freaked out when they saw the sign, and they turned off Psihoyos’ microphone while quickly cutting away from the stage.  As a result, Psihoyos was unable to give his speech.  George Lopez came to the rescue on ‘Lopez Tonight.’  Watch his speech below.

Director of ‘The Cove’ Busts Santa Monica Sushi Restaurant for Selling Endangered Whale Meat

If you had any doubt that these guys deserved an Oscar, I think you can sleep peacefully now.  Louie Psihoyos, the director of ‘The Cove,’  and others involved with the film, took down ‘The Hump,’ an upscale sushi restaurant in Santa Monica that was serving endangered Sei whale meat.  The investigation began when an associate producer of ‘The Cove’ heard a rumor that the restaurant was serving the meat.  Two undercover informants then dined at the restaurant with a hidden video camera to tape them serving the meat.  One of the informants smuggled samples of the meat out of the restaurant in her purse, and shipped it to a biologist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, who verified that the meat came from the endangered Sei whale.  Those involved now face up to a year in federal prison and a fine up to $200,000.  

The Academy Explains Why Farrah Fawcett Wasn’t Featured in the ‘In Memoriam’ Montage

Bruce Davis, the Executive Director of the Academy, has explained that he chose to leave Fawcett out of the “In Memoriam” montage at the Academy Awards because she is best known for her television work, and she should therefore be honored at the Emmys instead.  Keep in mind that Davis has a very difficult job.  Each year, the Academy is notified of members that have passed.  Davis has the heartbreaking task of sifting through the list to determine who should be featured in the montage.  Due to time constraints, it is simply impossible to feature everyone.   Davis has described the process as “agonizing.”  My good friend’s uncle, Howard Zieff, the director of ‘My Girl’ and ‘Private Benjamin,’ was featured in this year’s montage.  I asked her how her family was notified.  She explained that you can call a private number where you are personally told.  This made me realize that Fawcett’s family, who was “stunned” by the snub, might have known prior to the montage that she would not be featured.  It’s possible they just assumed she would be in it though and didn’t call.   

Kathryn Bigelow is Dating Mark Boal, the Writer of ‘Hurt Locker’

I usually don’t comment on the who’s dating who type stuff, but this one blew me away (forgive the pun).  Kathryn Bigelow, the director of ‘Hurt Locker,’ is dating Mark Boal, the writer for the film.  Boal is a journalist, screenwriter, and producer.  He is 37 years old and Bigelow is 58.  I suppose the age difference isn’t too much of a shock, given that Bigelow is so darn beautiful.   

Meryl Streep’s Oscar Dress was Designed by ‘Project Runway’ Designer Chris March

Whoever says that no ‘Project Runway’ designers have hit it big since the show, can now eat their words.  Meryl’s Streep’s beautiful dress at the Oscars was designed by Chris March, a designer on Season 4 of the show.  If Chris does not ring a bell, you may recall him as the man who specialized in designing over the top gowns for drag queens.  Well, he certainly can edit his style beautifully.  See his fantastic creation below.  

Update: I just learned that March also designed Streep’s Golden Globes gown.  See the dress below.

Oscar Ambush: Elinor Burkett Crashes the Stage

If you watched the Oscars, you might have noticed a very odd woman’s acceptance speech for Best Documentary Short. Here’s the story: ‘Music By Prudence’ is a documentary directed by Roger Ross Williams. Elinor Burkett was originally a producer on the film, but she was sacked due to “creative differences.” Because she had already done some work on the film prior to being sacked, the Academy had to give her a producer credit. At the time of the Oscars, she and Roger Ross Williams were no longer speaking. Technically, only one person was supposed to give an acceptance speech for the film. It’s not clear if it was decided in advance by the Academy that Williams would give the speech. However, Williams sprinted to the stage first and began his speech. He was then ambushed by Burkett. Burkett claims that Williams’ mother tried to trip her with a cane so that she could not reach the stage. Insane. Watch the moment ensue below.

Why Did George Clooney Look so Pissed at the Oscars?

I got a question today asking me what was wrong with George Clooney at the Oscars. I agree that he was noticeably pissed, which is interesting because he seemed to be in such a good mood before walking the red carpet.  Apparently, my friend and I are not the only people that noticed.  His people have released a statement, saying that he was under the weather, and the show can get a little long and boring.  Personally, I don’t buy it.  Fast forward to 5:41 to see Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin’s exchange with Clooney.