OSCAR-PALOOZA!!!

Yes, I know ... no one will watch because "Dark Knight"wasn't nominated for Best Picture ... and those who tune in for the comedy of the host (ie. Jon Stewart, Billy Crystal, et al.) won't watch because Hugh Jackman is a song and dance man, aside from being Wolverine. But Hugh Jackman is exactly why I think people might wish they'd watched tomorrow. I've seen him host the Tony Awards. He was great. Not just a classy kind of guy, Jackman is multi-talented and quick on his feet (not just as a dancer but coming up with clever quips). He's also funny and that will probably surprise people. This is a man who exudes charm ( oh, and who can forget that he was People Magazine's Sexiest Man Alive of 2008!). Betty Lou is one viewer who is looking forward to more than just the handing out of metal men tonight.

But on to the awards themselves ...

I can't think of any actor nominated that I would be disappointed to see win (well, maybe Brad Pitt because he doesn't deserve it) and I don't think I've ever felt that way before. Who do I hope wins?

Best Actor: Frank Langella (who won't) or Sean Penn or Mickey Rourke or Richard Jenkins (even though I haven't seen "The Visitor.") I love Jenkins in everything else so I'm sure he's wonderful in "The Vistitor" as well.

Best Actress: Meryl Streep or Kate Winslet or Melissa Leo (I always root for the underdog).

Best Supporting Actor: Heath Ledger or Josh Brolin or even Robert Downey Jr.

Best Supporting Actress: I'd really love to see Viola Davis win (she blew me away THAT much) but it's OK if Peneolope Cruz wins or Marissa Tomei.

Best Film: "Slumdog Millionaire" because there's never been anything like it. I love the style of Danny Boyle. I loved the shots of money being spread on top of a bed in the very beginning and then learning, much later, what that meant. I loved the train moving quickly and the moving picture of light and shadows that played out as the train sped along. Those elements were evident in a previous movie of his, "Millions" which I also liked. I loved the childrens' faces and their racing through the streets of Bombay. There are other images I didn't like, couldn't watch because they were too vivid but that's not a complaint with the filmaking; it's my own weak stomach that's to blame. I also liked "Benjamin Button" and LOVED "Frost/Nixon" (not sure why it's gotten so little buzz) and liked "Milk" very much although I was built up to expect more from it. "The Reader" was fascinating and I carried it around in my thoughts for days after seeing it, pondering the unanswered questions. But "Slumdog Millionaire" and Boyle most deserve the win.

I don't expect any upsets but I don't crave any either.

And, finally, on a much lesser scale in terms of importance, I hold out a tiny bit of hope that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie will very obviously blow off Ryan Secrest again on the Red Carpet ... payback from last year at the Golden Globes when he asked Angelina if she made breakfast for her children and when she answered in the affirmative, he followed up incredulously with "REALLY????? What kind of food do prepare for breakfast?" Yes, Ryan, enquiring minds want to know!

Sigh.