The Oscars! Does anyone really care?

Here we go again. The Oscars!

Another self-aggrandizing Hollywood event. More formally, the Academy Awards.

Does anyone really care? Does the world really need another hyped-up "look-how-wonderful-we-are-but-oh-really-you-shouldn't-have" awards show?

Sure. I mean, why not? The Academy has been hard at it since 1929. Why stop now?

I love the Oscars; my husband can barely tolerate them. But then he just doesn't get it. I mean where else can one watch such unabashed decadence, preening and parading? It's all so, well, foreign. And untouchable. Like exquisite jewels set into a monarch's crown.

It's like watching a car accident you simply can't tear your eyes from. It's captivating in all its pomp and circumstance.

And there's Ellen DeGeneres, all fresh and giggly, and so watchable. But wait, where's Ellen? And who's this Jon Stewart guy? I don't know about this. Ellen is a tough act to follow. Just ask Ellen.

As to the winners, does anyone really care?

Probably not. At least, not really. But we still want to know who will win this elitist popularity contest. Be honest, now. You still turn your ear to the TV entertainment news, and your eyes to the email alerts and the newspaper headlines, the next day.

And then there's knowing what brilliance, what memorable words will drip from the lips of the "and the oscar goes to" recipient (it's inappropriate and politically-incorrect to call them a "winner." Wouldn't want to rough up the sensibilities of these sensitive super stars, would we?)

And what's with the picks for oustanding performances, etc? George Clooney in Michael Clayton was good, but neither the actor nor the movie was that good. It'd be a hoot to see Juno take the coveted Golden Boy, but that's not likely to happen.

And somebody was really asleep at the wheel when Sean Penn's Into the Wild was forgotten as a nominee. Did the academy even watch that movie? But there is good news, somebody really got it right with Tilda Swinton's performane in Michael Clayton. She was mesmerizing.

And when is the big day, you ask? February 24, 2008.

ENJOY!

I'm just in it for the Oscars "best dressed" and "worst dressed" list. Somebody is sure to mess up. Wear the wrong color, the wrong shoes, the wrong jewels, or just the wrong clothes. A lot of that goes around. And I'll be waiting for it, drool dripping from the corners of mouth. Just like some of those groupie TV entertainment "reporters."

As to the best dressed on the red carpet, I am sick to death of seeing the Desperate Housewives cavorting in their pencil thin bodies entombed in rich swirls of fabric. So, Mr. Camera Man, just pan them, okay.

Focus on Tommy Lee Jones, instead. Now that's a face from which legends are created. Go, Tommy!

Cheers,
Sheree