Now that "Slumdog Millionaire" has your hearts and minds, it's coming for your vocabulary. According to language monitoring group Global Language Monitor (wha who?):

"Jai Ho!", Hindi for 'Let There be Victory' and the title of the movie's Oscar-winning best song, and "Slumdog" -- the controversial term coined by the filmmakers for young slum-dwellers in Mumbai -- were named the top "HollyWords" of the year that closed with last Sunday's Oscars.

The Global Language Monitor, which uses an algorithm to track the frequency of words and phrases in the world's print and electronic media, said it was rare for two words from the same movie to be ranked in its annual list.

Frankly, I think it's even more bizarre that someone has a job at something called Global Language Monitor. 

Also on the GLM's Top 10 List for 2008: "Nuke the Fridge" ("Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull"), "Hmong" ("Gran Torino"), "What doesn't kill you makes you... stranger" ("The Dark Knight") and "There are no coincidences" ("Kung Fu Panda"). [Reuters]

The Yeah Yeah Yeahs' upcoming album, "It's Blitz!," has leaked on the web.

Due April 14th on Interscope, the Brooklyn-based rock group's new LP features the band returning to an '80s synth-pop sound. First single, "Zero," hit radio waves last week with lead-singer Karen O telling listeners to 'Get your leather on!' over a dizzying riff from guitarist turned synth master, Nick Zinner.

While the band has yet to comment on yesterday's leak, we know one thing is for sure (besides the fact that they're pissed!): the cover of the album (right) is pretty bad ass. 

Listen to the new single, "Zero," here.

--Stuart Oldham

Greetings from the Oscars! My name is Stuart Oldham, and I'll be your tour guide, er, Oscar blogger this evening.

10:00pm OK guys! That'll do it from the Kodak Theater in Hollywood. Thanks to everyone for writing in and contributing. It's been a blast! -Stuart

9:58pm I had the honor of asking the final question to Danny Boyle. I asked him about the journey of the film, going from the Telluride Film Festival to winning Best Picture at the Oscars. (I was actually sitting behind him in Telluride at the World Premiere and remember him squirming in his seat). "Do you know what that was? It was the sound system! They were overlapping the sound and I was thinking to myself, 'Christ! This certainly isn't a good start.'" Boyle and Colson deserve a lot of credit. Although I wasn't enthralled with the pic, the journey this indie production has been on is quite remarkable.

9:48pm Boyle on "Slumdog's" impact on America. "In culture, fusion is a wonderful thing and I felt it most with the music." Colson adds, "For the first time in my lifetime, America is cool again."

9:46pm Boyle and Colson have a laugh with the RottenTomatoes reporter: "We LOVE RottenTomatoes! "Slumdog" was at 95%," Boyle says. "And I think my last film, 'Millions' did REALLY well on RottenTomatoes." (Boyle's accentuation of the 'Tomatoes' is pretty classic)

9:44pm Boyle mentions the poet W.H. Auden, "He says about America 'Soon, you'll be putting jukeboxes on the moon' and I LOVE that expression. And I think it applies to tonight about electricity and that anything's possible."

9:37pm Boyle says, "One of the lovely things about this evening is that it's a triumph for this kind of film. It's independent minded and it's against the odds, really. You see Heath Ledger's work in 'Dark Knight,' it's extraordinary work but Heath started in small films," Boyle states. "And the studio's under pressure, obviously, but that's where everyone begins. So it's very, very, very important to remember this."

9:37pm Director Danny Boyle and the producer of "Slumdog Millionaire," Christian Colson, just showed up in the interview room.

9:35pm Still waiting on the "Slumdog" gang. Just popped next door in the photog room where Spielberg was hanging out. (And not talking to me, unfortunately)

9:20pm Penn's done at the podium. Next up: the filmmakers of "Slumdog Millionaire."

9:18pm On the Anti-Gay sign outside that said "Heath (Ledger) is in hell." Penn says, "I think we'd be better dismissing these comments as opposed to commenting on them."

9:16pm Sean Penn on his relationship with Mickey Rourke, whom he mentioned in his Oscar speech. "I've known Mickey for over 25 years. We've had a very close friendship." Penn still on Rourke: "He's one of our most talented actors, ya know? Everyone in this room has to make a comeback everyday."

9:12pm Penn is talking largely about the civil rights themes of "Milk." "Anyone who believes in equal rights, it's simple," he says. "To see this culture of ignorance, that breed this kind of hateful expression, these people with these signs outside, there's nothing more important than the themes in these movies. When you see something like you saw outside today, it just really frustrates you." On what he'd say to the Anti-Gay demonstrators outside the Kodak Theater. "I'd tell em to turn in their hate card and find their better self. These are largely taught limitations and ignorances. It's very sad in a way. Its a demonstration of emotional cowardess."

9:12pm Sean Penn has now arrived backstage, Winslet just left.

9:09pm Someone just asked Winslet about her sex life with director Sam Mendes. "Wow!" she said, before giving a PC answer about how 'accepting' Sam is. Awkward...

9:06pm When asked about what she's wearing, Winslet responds, "I'm sorry but fashion questions are so funny." She sarcastically replies, "It's Yves St. Laurent and it's gun metal gray."

9:05pm Winslet is still at the press podium. She's exstatic ecstatic. Almost giddy. Someone from the Russian pres just asked a really deep question, to which the N.Y. Times reporter next to me just mimicked a bong hit.

9:04pm When asked a question from a British reporter named 'Baz,' Winslet raced down and gave this 'Baz' fellow a hug. It was a nice moment, I'll admit.

9:03pm "It's just donning on me now that I won an Oscar," Winslet says. "Oh my God."

9:02pm Which actor would she like to pass the nude torch to? (Now that Winslet's supposedly retiring the racy nude scenes) "Susan Sarandon."

9:02pm To the question of why British people mocked her tearful speech at the Golden Globes: "I really don't care," Winslet says.

9:01pm "I can't be responsible for the emotional response an audience has for any film," Winslet admits. "It certainly wasn't my intention to make people sympathize with an SS guard."

9:00pm Kate Winslet has arrived backstage.

8:59pm My award for best-dressed of the evening goes to: Penelope Cruz and Brad Pitt. Penelope looked radiant and Brad, well, come on. He showed up.

8:57pm While we wait, I must ask: what did you guys think? Any surprises? Any favorite moments? Any good moments? I'm kidding, of course (or am I?)

8:56pm Hugh Jackman is being asked to come backstage as well. Stay tuned...

8:55pm The show's over inside. Backstage, the party is just getting started. Stick around for comments from the winner's room, including Kate Winslet, Sean Penn and the "Slumdog Millionaire" gang.

8:54pm "Slumdog" sweeps the 81st Annual Academy Awards. Let it be known...(in Jack Black voice)

8:53pm A small roar ripped through the press room when Spielberg made the announcement.

8:52pm "Slumdog Millionaire"

8:50pm And the Best Picture is...

8:48pm If "Slumdog" doesn't win, it will be a MAJOR upset. But from the way things have been going, Danny Boyle's "Millionaire" is a shoe-in shoo in. 

8:47pm Steven Spielberg now presenting Best Picture. All is quiet backstage in the press room.

8:45pm Sean Penn mentions the Anti-Gay signs out on Hollywood Blvd. "I am also proud of a country who elects a smart man their President." He also celebrated Mickey Rourke's revival. "You're my brother!"

8:45pm Sean Penn wins for Best Actor. "You commie, homo-loving sons of guns," he jokes.

8:44pm Group presentation for Best Actor now. Robert DeNiro was awesome, when talking about Sean Penn. "How did Sean get all of those straight roles in the past?"

8:44pm Technical difficulties. Sorry about that.

8:34pm Everyone backstage is watching Winslet on the monitors. I think people truly underestimate this woman's fan base. "Titanic" was the "Twilight" of the '90s. Actually, it was bigger than that. So don't listen to what Mickey says in "The Wrestler" (about the 90s sucking and all...). Winslet is officially a Hollywood superstar.

8:32pm Kate Winslet wins her first Oscar ("The Reader"). Total class act.

8:28pm: Group presenters for Best Actress now. Thoughts everyone? I'm really not a fan of additional compliments (on top of the Oscars, of all things). These women obviously deserve kudos for their remarkable performances but we know who they are and why they're there. No need to tell us the meaning of their roles. Come on...

8:27pm OK. I've reached a consensus between me, myself and my sore ass: tonight's show is boring.

8:25pm My NEW favorite part of the show. Hilary Swank in the Best Actress montage saying, "I'm just a girl from a trailer park with a dream."

8:21pm Hugh Jackman just took the stage (off the air) and thanked Anne Hathaway. "And the crew backstage. The producers: Bill Condon and Larry Mark. Our director Roger Goodman." Among others...

8:20pm "Slumdog" has won every televised award it has been nominated for this evening.

8:17pm Boyle hopped up on stage and said it was inspired by "Winnie the Pooh" and his kids. (Tigger, from "Winnie the Pooh" that is)

8:16pm And the Oscar goes to...Danny Boyle, "Slumdog Millionaire"

8:15pm Reese Witherspoon presenting Best Directing honors. This seems appropriate...not.

8:12pm Backstage, the press (and publicists) are taking a breather. And by breather, I mean, continuing work with their heads down and not speaking to anyone.

8:11pm Queen Latifah singing "I'll Be Seeing You" for the In Memoriam tribute. She sounds pretty good. The audio is apparently turned off for you folks at home. Stan Winston got a nice applauce (visual effects guru). As did Sydney Pollack, Heath Ledger, and lastly, Paul Newman (who got a rousing ovation and individual montague with audio to boot).

8:09pm Quick question: Who do you guys think is the best dressed tonight?

8:07pm Wow! Biggest upset of the night thus far. "Departures" wins over "Waltz with Bashir" in the Foreign Language category. Ari Folman, writer/director of "Bashir," had won the honor at all of the major award shows this season. Interesting...

8:06pm Liam Neeson and Frieda Pinto presenting the award for Best Foreign Film. Now this category pisses me off. Why? 'The Class' 'I've Loved You So Long' and 'Gomorrah' were left off of the nominees list.

8:00pm As we reach the 8 o'clock hour, I have to ask: What do you guys think of the Oscars so far? I'm voting for b-o-r-i-n-g. Jackman disappeared after those song and dance sequences. I know that producers are required to dole out twenty-four trophies. Still, spice it up, people!

7:59pm Surprise. "Jai Ho" wins Best Original Song.

7:58pm Expect "Jai Ho" to win for "Slumdog Millionaire." M.I.A. is noticeably absent from the performance. (She just gave birth two weeks ago)

7:53pm John Legend is substituting for "Wall-E" songwriter Peter Gabriel after Gabriel protested the Oscar laws of music. (Keep it under 65 seconds and perform it with the rest of the bunch).

7:51pm "Slumdog" wins again. F*cking ridiculous! (Don't worry, I didn't hit anyone). And sorry. I congratulate "Slumdog" and the composer. But I could've burped 'Oops! I Did It Again' and won under "Slumdog"...

7:50pm Original Score next. I love that "Wall-E" composition. Beautiful. If "Slumdog" wins in this category, I'm going to hit someone.

7:49pm The woman for Documentary Short is speaking to the press. I'm not really listening nor is anyone else. She's wearing a nice dress at least...

7:48pm Alright. The length is starting to kick in. Did everyone at home just change the channel to Anthony Bordain for a minute or so? I probably would have. Up next...oh right. I can't tell you :( 

7:44pm Back to the show. Jerry Lewis was just handed the Lifetime Achievement Oscar from "Nutty Professor" actor Eddie Murphy. Probably not the most politically correct individual (Lewis). Still, very deserving of the recognition. And the length of that speech, 30 seconds, I love it! Sally Field, take note.

7:43pm Meanwhile, the Ledgers are still backstage. His sister, Kate, is beautiful.

7:42pm Yet another Coldplay fueled montage. Blah.

7:40pm Eddie Murphy onstage at the Oscars. A very, very rare occurrence.

7:35pm Backstage, Heath Ledger's family just stepped to the press podium. "When he came home for Christmas a year ago, he sent me bits and pieces from the film ("The Dark Knight")," Ledger's sister, Kate, says. "He knew (an Oscar was in his future). I said to him, 'You're going to get a nomination from the Academy' and he just looked at me and smiled. So he knew..."

7:34pm Notice how they fly through the technical awards and yet there's a group presentation for actors? Hmmm...

7:33pm Film Editing up next...

7:30pm Will Smith still onstage. Whoa there. I stand corrected. 'Slumdog' takes Sound Mixing. (Notice how they've won in every category they've been in.)

7:29pm There you have it. 'The Dark Knight.' Unfortunately, this film wasn't nominated for Best Picture and will likely take the '08 'Bourne Ultimatum' honors: Sound Mixing, Editing & Film Editing.

7:27pm No surprise: 'Benjamin Button.' Up next: Outstanding Sound Editing. Expect a victory for 'Dark Knight'

7:26pm Outstanding Visual Effects

7:25pm Will Smith, everyone. "Sometimes action movies don't get the respect they deserve. They can take Brad Pitt and turn him into a garden gnome."

7:24pm This is unnecessary. 'Action 2008' ??

7:22pm Hugh Jackman is back, as am I, with a post-production feature. (Anyone else notice the music interrupting Hugh's dialogue?)

7:15pm 'Restroom break, boss?' I need to quickly use the facilities, gang. Be back in a flash.

7:12pm Best Documentary Short Subject. 'Smile Pinkey' wins. Sweet! I voted for this  in an Oscar pool, never having seen it. (Much like the voters, I'm sure..) "Vote for that one, Frank. The title is so cute!"

7:11pm 'Man on Wire' wins Best Documentary. Honestly, I was disappointed that 'Dear Zachary' wasn't nominated. Oh well. Go see 'Man on Wire.' A remarkable sight.

7:10pm Up next: Best Documentary Feature (Bill Maher presenting)

7:09pm And they follow up Ledger's family speech with....a depressing Documentary feature with 'keep those Ledger tears flowing' music.

7:08pm His family is accepting. Best moment of the night so far. "I have to say this is ever so humbling," his father says. "Heath was such a compassionate and generous soul," his mother states. "Tonight we are choosing to celebrate and be happy what he achieved." His sister went on: "We really wish you were here. And proudly accept this award on behalf of your beautiful Matilda (daughter)."

7:07pm Heath Ledger wins! ("The Dark Knight")

7:01pm Cuba Gooding Jr. on Downey Jr. "Are you out of your mind?!?! The brothers need to work! Congratulations on your upcoming film, 'Shaft.'"

7:00pm Group presenters again for Best Supporting Actor. What do you guys think? I don't mind the intimacy (or Philip Seymour Hoffman's hat??) but this is taking a REALLY long time.

6:57pm Lots of stretching backstage. I need to go to the bathroom but am dedicated to my craft (and you). Back to the show...

6:56pm Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens have joined Beyonce Knowles and Hugh Jackman to sing and dance to Baz Luhrmann's directed ensemble. "The musical is back!" Jackman exclaims at the end.

6:55pm Backstage, "Wall-E" director Andrew Stanton is now speaking to the press. "It was about connectivity. People connecting with each other. Not their cell phones or other technological devices." "Wall-E" beat out "Kung Fu Panda" and "Bolt!" in the Best Animated Feature category.

6:53pm Beyonce Knowles, ladies and gentlemen. (Yes, the same person Etta James threatened with an ass-whoopin')

6:52pm Actually, "The musical is back," he says as he goes into another song and dance.

6:51pm Hugh Jackman is back.

6:49pm Back to Simon Beaufoy in the press room. (Adapted Screenplay, winner for "Slumdog Millionaire") "We've taken a lot of flack for showing the slums of Mumbai," he says. "Something that's not geared for the Middle Class. It's a new cinematic pathway for Indian film."

6:49pm Commerical

6:46pm Franco has a difficult time announcing the winner's name, Alexander Fraydank. I'm sure they're still high...

6:45pm Rogen appears onstage with Franco for Live Action Short Film Oscar. "If you like that piece, I wrote it. If not, it's Judd Apatow's fault."

6:43pm Back to the show. Seth Rogen and James Franco ("Pineapple Express") are laughing at this year's dramatic films, stoner-style. "Do you think I can make this into a pipe?" Rogen asks, looking at an Oscar statue.

6:41pm Adapted Screenplay winner Simon Beaufoy ("Slumdog Millionaire") is now in the interview room. "It's just extraordinary. The kids are here. I mean, we were so worried about bringing them over from Mumbai to such a lavish ceremony, but they're all running around having a laugh. In the end, it was the absolute right thing to do, having them come over."

6:40pm Back at the live show, Jessica Biel, host of last night's Visual Effects Awards, just did a quick recap. She also just made every geek's day, mine included.

6:39pm And Penelope Cruz is done with the interviews.

6:36pm Cruz is still talking about Woody Allen backstage. "I never doubted the genius but I was curious about his tone in person." On her early struggles with American audiences: "It was tough but it's gotten better. If movies represent life, about what happens on the streets, then we are all here together. And more and more everyday, that has to be reflected in cinema."

6:35pm And the Oscar goes to...Anthony Dod Mantle, "Slumdog Millionaire"

6:31pm Stiller is now stumbling around aimlessly while Portman talks about the Cinematography nominees. LOL

6:30pm Meanwhile, Ben Stiller is doing the bizarre Joaquin Phoenix shtick onstage. Beard and all. Natalie Portman: "You look like you work in a hasidic meth lab."

6:29pm Three out of the four questions have been in Spanish so bear with me. (even though I speak 'un poquito espanol'). "I'm going to call Woody (Allen) right now," Cruz says. "I adore him. I think he's so funny and charming. So unique."

6:28pm Penelope Cruz just arrived in the press room. She's wearing a stunning diamond necklace. On what she said in Spanish: "I want to dedicate it to all of the actors in my country. And to all of the people in Spain who are watching at home."

6:27pm We've just been told (in the press room), that the Animated Short winner's Japanese translator is nowhere to be found. Um...

6:25pm Young ladies, behold! Robert Pattinson from "Twilight" is presenting.

6:24pm Best Makeup..."The Curious Case of Benjamin Button."

6:22pm Dustin Lance Black says the feeling is "Unbelievable. I had an idea of what I wanted to say (on stage)." He's beginning to tear up. "Harvey (Milk) gave me this story and it changed my life."

6:20pm Meanwhile, "The Duchess" just won Best Costume Design. No surprises. If you have a period film, you'll likely be competing in this category. (Not that Prada isn't an achievement, right Sarah Jessica Parker?)

6:19pm Dustin Lance Black, winner of the Original Screenplay award ("Milk"), just arrived in the Interview Room.

6:17pm And the Art Direction Oscar goes to...'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button'

6:16pm Sarah Jessica Parker and Daniel Craig. I'm guessing Christian Bale isn't presenting this year...

6:15pm The Animated Short winner is making his way to the press room. (The guy with the broken English). Should make for an interesting interview...

6:15pm Art Direction up next

6:14pm Hugh is back on. "30 seconds!" They cut his mic.

6:11pm It's not incredibly interesting. Spielberg says "'Milk' could be Van Sant's best movie yet."

6:10pm Hugh Jackman is now talking in between commercials. "You guys OK up in the balcony? Some of these awards get cut because of the air time. Here's a behind-the-scenes featurette about some of this year's Best Picture nominees! It's three minutes long so hurry back."

6:09pm 'The House of Small Cubes' (English translation)

6:08pm Animated Short (has anyone seen these? Or do they just pick the one with cutest title?)

6:07pm Andrew Stanton (director of "Wall-E") deserves a lot of credit. Watch the 'Making Of' on the DVD and you'll see why...

6:06pm Wall-E (and a sarcastic 'Yes!' from Jack Black)

6:06pm Best Animated Feature...

6:05pm Meanwhile, still no Penelope in the Interview Room...

6:05pm And Angelina was laughing! Yes! LOL

6:04pm Ouch. Jack Black's Pixar joke was harsh.

6:04pm I know. I know. I'm in the minority when it comes to "Slumdog"...

6:02pm I'd be surprised if "Slumdog" loses anything tonight. (unfortunately)

6:02pm Simon Beaufoy, "Slumdog Millionaire"

6:01pm Best Adapted Screenplay

6:00pm Steve Martin is THE MAN

5:57pm First politifcal moment of the evening. What do you think? I didn't mind it.

5:56pm Dustin Lance Black, "Milk."

5:55pm Cool typewriter sound effect. Reminds me of "Atonement"

5:53pm Tina Fey and Steve Martin are terrific. Best Original Screenplay...

5:51pm Penelope Cruz is on her way back here. One last mic check at the podium...

5:50pm Twenty minutes in and ONE AWARD given out. Wow. Twenty three to go.

5:48pm Props to Pedro Almodovar. Nice touch. Tremendous director.

5:47pm Penelope Cruz!

5:46pm Wow. I'm really surprised they're going this route. The music might start playing over the presenters!

5:45pm (Tick tock)

5:43pm This is a very LONG way to present an award. I really hope they don't keep this up.

5:42pm Group presenters!?

5:42pm Best Supporting Actress...

5:39pm Ladies and gentlemen, the first (and certainly not last) montage of the night!

5:38pm The Interview Room was in shambles over that 'Reader' bit.

5:36pm Anne Hathaway did a nice job. Is there any way she can not lose to Kate Winslet?

5:34pm Not a bad opening number. Brings back memories of Billy Crystal.

5:33pm Hugh Jackman singing "It's alright to be gay." Priceless...

5:31pm This looks/feels very Tony-ish.

5:30pm Hugh Jackman is Australian?!?!? Kidding...

5:29pm Showtime!

5:23pm The atmosphere here is truly remarkable. Pretty much every country you can think of is represented in some way, shape, or form. In fact, I would probably shear a tear if it weren't for the copious amounts of Starbucks in my system, preventing me from any kind of emotion other than rapid typing and inquisitive head-turns.

5:20pm Penelope Cruz is wearing a 60 year old dress. God, she's beautiful.

5:16pm WARNING: Publicists are running around like cheetahs on speed! 

5:14pm ABC's interview with the "Slumdog Millionaire" troupe got a few hoots and hollers back here in the press room. Get ready for a "Slumdog" evening, America!

5:12pm Robert Downey Jr. is nominated for "Tropic Thunder" and ironically enough, he looks like he went to a tanning salon.

5:09pm On a side note--I'm confused by the black tie stigma. Men have to wear black ties, tuxes preferred, but women can wear whatever the hell they want? (Color wise). Call me crazy but I think that's prejudice... 

5:07pm Everyone just moaned because Valentino's interview with Tim Gunn was cut on our monitor. Boo?

5:04pm One of the Bloomberg correspondents just came back from the red carpet. "No Penelope Cruz!" she says.

5:00pm OK. I guess the show starts at 5:30pm. Everyone back here is confused. We all thought it started at 5. Oh well. 5:30pm it is!

4:58pm The press is really hoping for a Mickey Rourke victory. I'm guessing because of his love of the word 'fuck.'

4:57pm Bring on the Oscars!

4:53pm Everyone's rushing into the theater at this point. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are last but certainly not least (You could hear a pin drop back here while they were interviewed).

4:50pm The food backstage is fantastic. From Vietnamese Spring Rolls, to Beef Empanadas, you can munch on pretty much anything and everything back here. (While drinking fresh Starbucks coffee, mind you)

4:44pm All of the women in the press room are glued to the TV watching the red carpet happenings. Kate Winslet looks gorgous, they're saying...

4:42pm Why is Miley Cyrus here?? "Because of 'Bolt,' probably," Variety's David S. Cohen reminds me.

4:40pm Everyone's getting settled backstage in the press room. The sound at the winner's podium has been taken care of (Finally! For ten minutes, they were asking us, "Does this sound like a buzz or a whine? A buzz or a whine?" Ahhhh!)

4:38pm Natalie Portman is a Goddess. Period.

4:36pm My apologies for mispelling Heath Ledger's name earlier. Must be all of the Chimay...

4:33pm A couple of people from US Magazine just snickered at Evan Rachel Wood's appearance on the red carpet. Meoooow! (scratch, claw, hiss)

4:25pm Variety film critic Justin Chang is sitting next to me. Justin? Any predictions you'd like to make? "'Slumdog' obviously for Best Picture." Boring! What else? (He's thinking real hard...)"'Slumdog' for adapted screenplay. 'Slumdog' for editing." Shocking! OK. I'll leave him alone. He's busy...

4:22pm I just overheard a conversation about Mickey Rourke's recently deceased dog. (Captivating, I know!) A woman kept going on and on about how sad it made her feel. Meanwhile, the gentlemen she was with laughed and said, "It's complete bullshit!" What do you think? Dead dog? Or canine crap? The answer after the break!

4:19pm Word is Heath Ledger's father will accept the Best Supporting Actor honor if Heath were to win.

4:17pm I've just been handed the schedule for tonight's show. Unfortunately, I can't share that information with you but I CAN SAY they're handing out Oscar statues at some point...

4:14pm Here in the press room, the New York Times people are on my right. Bloomberg Press on my left. There's a major "Slumdog" buzz. (No surprise)

4:04pm Meanwhile, security is VERY tight. I've been through three separate metal detectors in the past hour. Luckily, they didn't confiscate my "Paul Blart" action figures...

4:00pm The scene outside is quite hectic. As we were ushered into the press room, thousands of people were lined up on Hollywood Blvd. Everyone from onlookers to crazy Jesus people. (One woman had a 'Heath is in Hell' sign, protesting homosexuality. Quite sad...)

3:49pm As you can see on television, the red carpet is alive and kicking on Hollywood and Highland. We have monitors in the press room, so although I'm not standing next to Tim Gunn or Joan Rivers, I, like you, am staring at the screen awaiting the next big star. 

3:46pm Well, my co-workers and I have touched down at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood. Actually, we're in the back of the building in the illustrious press room. For those of you who haven't been (this is my first time), the Oscar Press Room is located behind the Kodak Theater in the Renaissance Hotel's grand ballroom. In other words, I'm sitting in the room where the winners address the press.

Best Picture of the Year: "Slumdog Millionaire". Read more about the film.

Best Actor: Sean Penn (left) for "Milk". Read more about the performance.

Best Actress: Kate Winslet (right) for "The Reader". Read more about the performance.

Best Director: Danny Boyle for "Slumdog Millionaire". Read more about the director.

Best Foreign Language Film: "Departures" (Japan)

Best Original Song: "Jai Ho" ( from "Slumdog Millionaire"). Read more about the film.

Best Original Score: "Slumdog Millionaire".

Best Film Editing: "Slumdog Millionaire".   

Best Sound Mixing: "Slumdog Millionaire". Read more about the film.  

Best Sound Editing: "The Dark Knight". Read more about the film.

Best Visual Effects: "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button". Read more about the film.

Best Documentary Short: "Smile Pinki".

Best Documentary Feature: "Man on Wire".

Best Supporting Actor: Heath Ledger for "The Dark Knight" (left). Read more about the performance.

Best Live Action Short: "Spielzeugland (Toyland)".

Best Cinematography: "Slumdog Millionaire". Read more about the film.

Best Make Up: "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button". Read more about the film.

Best Costume Design: "The Duchess".

Best Art Direction: "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button". (right) Read more about the film .

Best Animated Short: "La Maison en Petits Cubes".

Best Animated Feature: "Wall-E". Read more about the film.

Best Adapted Screenplay: Simon Beaufoy for "Slumdog Millionaire". Read more about the film.

Best Original Screenplay: Dustin Lance Black for "Milk". Read more about the film .

Best Supporting Actress: Penelope Cruz (left) for "Vicky Cristina Barcelona". Read more about her performance.

Take a look behind the scenes at the Oscars with Variety's Stuart Oldham.

See the complete list of nominees.

Complete coverage at Award Central.

MTV News got the scoop from director Ridley Scott that his upcoming Robin Hood pic starring Russell Crowe, "Nottingham," would now be called... "Robin Hood." Writes Larry Carroll,

“Nottingham� has now officially been renamed to reflect its lead character. “Oh yes, I think we are just going to call it ‘Robin Hood’,� Scott revealed. “We start in almost 2 months.�

A Universal spokesperson, however, is somewhat less definitive. "I can tell you the title of 'Nottingham' is changing," she said, "but right now it's 'Untitled Robin Hood Adventure.' "

The reluctance is understandable. "Robin Hood" already has been the title for nearly two dozen films, dating back to 1912. Best known today is the 1991 Kevin Costner starrer "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves." That was followed by Mel Brooks' 1993 spoof, "Robin Hood: Men In Tights," which apparently killed the titular concept for more than a decade.  

Bonus round: Here's the trailer from RHPOT, a classic of its kind ("A time of war... A time of homecoming... A time for tyrants") and noteworthy for rendering all of its characters mute -- the better to delay the mind-bending concept of a Medieval Robin Hood who somehow possesses all the flat intonations of a Malibu surfer. (Thanks, Erin)

Has Lindsay Lohan gotten her career back? According to Just Jared, she beat out Sophia Bush for the lead female role in the remake of "A Nightmare On Elm Street," which is being directed by Samuel "I did Nirvana's 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' video" Bayer. The story includes a quote from the film’s producer, Andrew Form:

“We were lucky to receive a call from Jason Weinberg, Lindsay’s manager,� Andrew tells JustJared.com. “He called us to tell us that Lindsay was very interested in the film and wanted to be a part of it. We called Jason back after Wesley Strick finished the script and asked if Lindsay wanted to look at the first draft. She looked it over and loved it. She thought this was the perfect vehicle for her.�

UPDATED TO ADD: Yep, we got punk'd. So far, it's happened twice to HAL; the other occasion was with the UTA job list. My question is: Who's pretending to be Andrew Form? (Read the open letter here.)

While I wish the "Nightmare" team nothing but success, at this point any vehicle that promises to drive Lohan away from the Dubai celebrity circuit and back into a movie career has to look pretty good.

Since 2006, she's starred in a series of excrable and semi-excrable films including "Just My Luck," "Bobby," "Chapter 27," "Georgia Rule" and, most recently, everyone's favorite psychic-schizophrenic-serial killing-stripper movie, "I Know Who Killed Me."

Up next for Lohan is "Labor Pains," which doesn't have a U.S. distribution date because it doesn't have a domestic distributor. (Its producer, Nu Image/Millennium, also produced Jessica Simpson's most recent film, the direct-to-DVD "Major Movie Star," aka "Private Valentine: Blonde & Dangerous") So, yes, at this point Freddy Kreuger looks positively sexy. (And on that note, last summer JoBlo reported that Billy Bob Thornton was under consideration for the role.)

UPDATE: Despite online rumors, producer Brad Fuller has refuted JustJared's story, saying that Lindsay Lohan is not, in fact, starring in the "Nightmare on Elm Street" remake. "We haven't hired a casting director yet," Fuller wrote in an email to Entertainment Weekly, "so we haven't had any casting discussions at all."

As further proof that no aspect of American culture gets a break from the economic crisis, Chet Flippo reports on CMT.com how one financial scam artist has put the "precious jewels" of country music history at risk.

The Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville was the beneficiary of the late high-flying investor Bob McLean, who bequeathed nearly $2 million to acquire Maybelle Carter's 1928 Gibson L-5, which is famously part of the "Big Bang" that launched commercial country music, and Bill Monroe's 1923 Gibson F-5 mandolin, which Flippo describes as an essential instrument in the "invention" of bluegrass music.

What McLean invented, unfortunately, was a Madoff-like ponzi scheme that bilked investors out of nearly $70 million and led to his own "Big Bang," as in suicide by handgun when the scheme finally unraveled.

The administrators of his estate are now telling the Country Music Hall of Fame to pay up their share of the ill-gotten $2 million that purchased these gems. Otherwise the instruments will go to the highest bidder, which means a loss of precious cultural heritage for the public (although perhaps a big score for a private music fan). That's assuming there's one left somewhere in the world with the dough required to pick out "Wildwood Flower" on the original picking machine. - Steven Gaydos

The Council of the Art Directors Guild has announced what it calls a "selection of 100 magnificently designed theatrical films selected from 1898 through the year 2000." Among them are "LA Confidential," "The Cabinet of Dr, Caligari," "Gone With the Wind," "2001: A Space Odyssey" and (!) "Heaven's Gate."

While the release describes these as "ADG Top 100 Designed Films," the ADG rep was careful to point out that the 100 have no intended order other than chronological; the films were selected from the years 1898-2000. Similarly, the word "designed" has a broad definition here, as the ADG reps "2,000 craftspeaople variously engaged in the art of designing moving images for film."

Now that such great pains have been taken to ensure that no one feels slighted, I'm sure someone will; that's what awards seasons are for. But in the meantime, enjoy the pretty pictures.

Yep, that's the Variety building at the end of the rainbow courtesy sharp-eyed location manager Ben McCrea. Hire him for your next project! (310) 857-6398.

This is David Letterman and Joaquin Phoenix at their very best/worst, depending on how you look at it. Phoenix is in full rapper-reinvention (or meltdown ) mode and Letterman is exhibiting his very finest dry (or acid-tongued) wit. Softie that I am, I viewed it through my fingers; the discomfort this exchange inspires is reminiscent of Harvey Pekar's infamous appearances on the show more than a decade ago.

Letterman's position appears to be that this is his joint, it's an honor to be invited and if you don't bring your A game he'll assess exactly what you did bring and treat you accordingly. "Maybe sometime I'll come to your house and chew gum," he snarls. And: "Joaquin, I'm sorry you couldn't be here tonight." I think meant it, too.

I'm inclined to agree with Richard at Gawker: It looks like "Grindhouse Goes to France." ("La Maison de Morcellement Va en France"! Eww.) But don't take my word for it:

According to IMDB, Mickey Rourke made his film debut in 1979, in Steven Spielberg's "1941." Not so! Thanks to the good folks at Cinetic Media, you can now see his first film in all of its grainy glory: The 1976 "Love In The Hamptons" is available via Amazon On Demand and the 25-minute movie (adapted from a 1972 New Yorker short story) can be yours for a mere $1.99. (Yes, I know "1941" still stands as his first feature. But still.)

Says Matt Dentler at Cinetic: "A month ago, the director reached out to us and said, 'I've got this thing I've had for 30 years; are your interested?' We were able to do something really quickly and we wanted to get it out in the weeks before the Oscars." 

Click here for a one-minute preview that includes a plinky piano score (by Bill Conti! who was Oscar-nominated for "Rocky," which came out the same year!) and plenty of Rourke's patent-pending soulful gazes.

Warner Bros. has released the red band trailer for "Observe and Report" (release date: April 10), which stars Seth Rogen as a dimwit mall cop. However, this comedy is no Paul Blartian also-ran; judging by the trailer, Rogen's Ronnie Barnhardt bears a much greater resemblance to, say, Travis Bickle.

It's a red band; the usual cautions apply. 
 
 

He called in to KROQ's Kevin & Bean morning show today and made an abject apology for his rant, calling it "way out of order beyond belief." Also of note: His Welsh accent, which apparently tends to disappear when he's angry. Eh, it's OK, Chris; all is forgiven. [TMZ]

Four months after DreamWorks closed its deal with Universal, Steven Spielberg's production company is leaving Universal and is in talks to move to Disney. The New York Times broke the news on its ArtsBeat blog.

Writes Brooks Barnes and Michael Ciepley:

DreamWorks SKG, Mr. Spielberg’s boutique production company, is in advanced talks on a deal to distribute its movies through Disney, according to four people with knowledge of the talks but who asked for anonymity because negotiations are not complete. A deal with Disney, which could come as soon as Friday, would replace one Mr. Spielberg arranged with Universal Pictures just four months ago after an acrimonious divorce from Paramount Pictures.

Universal has released a statement that confirms DreamWorks' imminent departure:

Universal Pictures has ended discussions with DreamWorks for a distribution agreement. Over the past several weeks, DreamWorks has demanded material changes to previously agreed upon terms. It is clear that DreamWorks’ needs and Universal’s business interests are no longer in alignment. We wish them luck in their pursuit of funding and distribution of their future endeavors.

A look back at some of Variety's stories on DreamWorks trying to find a home:

DreamWorks faces financial crunch

DreamWorks, Universal ink deal

DreamWorks, Reliance close deal

According to the Grammy Awards website, the music industry's highest honor got its name from a nationwide "name the award" contest back in 1959.

Not so according to Grammy-, Emmy- and Clio-winning writer-comedian Stan Freberg, who recently toured the Grammy Museum and emerged incensed. He says the honor's origins (and his role in them) have been erased like a bad overdub.

Ever wonder why President Obama and the First Lady had Beyonce serenade them at the inauguration with "At Last?" That's what Etta James would like to know, since she is very much alive, well... and seriously pissed off.

To be clear: James neither wrote the song nor was the first to sing it. Those credits belong to Mack Gordon & Harry Warren and to Ray Eberle & Pat Friday, respectively. However, James is the one who was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999 for her rendition of the song, which she recorded in 1960 and made distinctive with her phrasing.

Beyonce's claim to the song: She portrayed James in the recent Motown biopic flop, "Cadillac Records."

Here's the audio. Let the remixes begin! [TMZ]

Here's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spend 12 hours on your feet in a crowded room watching the lip-sync stylings of Orlando Bloom and Juliette Lewis. From Craigslist:

Come witness a rare concert/film event at The Palace in Downtown Los Angeles on Thursday, February 5th at 1pm. The upcoming film, Sympathy for Delicious, directed by Mark Ruffalo and starring Orlando Bloom, Juliette Lewis, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Thornton and Laura Linney, will be filming a concert scene at The Palace in Downtown Los Angeles, and we want people of all ages to be there!

Come see Orlando Bloom and Juliette Lewis perform original music from the movie in front of a live concert audience! Food and beverages will be provided, and raffles will be held throughout the concert!

Please RSVP to sympathycasting@gmail.com and we will contact you with all of the details! Don't miss this rare event!   

Is this a threat or a promise? You decide. (Thanks, Stu)
 

Well, all the ones we could find. For the original rant in all of its profane glory, click here.

Which one is your favorite? Vote! (Scroll to the bottom of the post for the poll.)

A. I Was Looking At The Lights

B. Baleout

C. Drum and Bass (give this one 30 seconds to kick in)  

D. Are You Professional Or Not? (Da Da Da Da)

Call it a variation on the Oscar curse, wherein a tattered trade journo gets excited about dining with the greats -- only to pull the short straw when it comes to table assignments.

Or call it Mickey's Law, wherein a tattered and faded star returns to glory, only to forget Oscar's Rules of Order.

But we're getting ahead of the story.

I just got back from the Oscar nominees lunch and (outside of dining with 112 nominated luminaries from all branches, including brilliant stars such as Kate Winslet, Sean Penn, Robert Downey, Jr. et. al. and genius film artists such as Andrew Stanton, Danny Boyle, Ed Catmull, David Hare et. al.) it's a fairly quiet and traditional outing: Short on schmooze and electricity, long on Oscar heritage and class.

"Everybody wins," says Academy president Sid Ganis. "This is the most democratic of events, where nominated stars sit with nominated visual effects, production design, costume pros and there's no table better than any other table in the room."

Right then. So you get to spin a little bingo cage full of numbered balls and I pulled up table 25, which was filled with wonderful folks such as screenwriter Courtney Hunt ("Frozen River,") director Byron Howard ("Bolt"), Academy governor Phil Robinson, Academy counsel David Quinto... and this season's storied comeback star, Mickey Rourke.

Everyone chuckled as we awaited the arrival of our last diner, who we all guessed would come last to the glamorous Beverly Hilton do and make a glorious entrance.

"I hope he doesn't bring his chihuahua!" joked one guest.

"I hope he does," chuckled another.

And then he arrived. Sartorially splendid as usual, de riguer dark glasses. But even through his shades, he could see that his table -- and its guests -- didn't match his expectations.

Discovering that upgrades weren't an option, Rourke (and pal in tow) opted to stand at a table off to the side of the luncheon. By themselves.

So out of 112 nominees I could have been seated next to, I get the one guy who's too hip for the room.

When you see the traditional group photo of the 112 nominees, look for the guy with the goatee and shades.

He's the guy whose goat cheese-and-grapefruit salad I ate. -- Steve Gaydos

If you thought Christian Bale's Batman voice was scary, wait until you hear the Welsh wallop he hands cinematographer Shane Hurlbut on the set of "Terminator: Salvation." The actor went into what could be charitably called a tirade, apparently because Hurlbut had the temerity to exist. When Hurlbut apologizes, Bale explodes. "No, don't be sorry! Think for one fucking second! Th' fuck are you doing?" It goes on -- and on -- from there, but someone else will have to complete the transcription; it's too painful for repeated listenings. The only thing more painful would be if Bale had actually received an Oscar nomination for his work in "The Dark Knight," because this certainly would have been its undoing. (Thanks, Stu) [TMZ]

Much in the spirit of the Los Angeles Times trying to create a solvent newspaper by killing the California section, Oscar producers Bill Condon and Laurence Mark think they might get better ratings if they killed the red carpet.

Witness Armageddon at hand:

"There has been a whisper as well that some celebrity arrivals on Oscar night might not walk the red carpet at all — a twist that would force the curious actually to watch the show itself to see all the celebrities and the gowns, rather than getting their fill from outside news media that cover the arrivals for a host of outlets."  [NYT]

This suggestion, of course, is no less than the potential wholesale destruction of an entire ecosystem.

No red carpet means no red-carpet photos, thereby shrinking day-after Oscar coverage to the size of, say, the Eukanuba Dog Show. It means even longer and more incomprehensible Oscar speeches, since the winners will be obliged to shoehorn designer-credit inventories (lest they lose their freebie privileges) in their allotted 45 seconds.

And in a world where a cratering economy calls everything into question and where "Paul Blart: Mall Cop" is on track to earn $100 million in less than a month, all of this will further unravel the relevance of a program celebrating those movies that are almost impossible to make, difficult to attract audiences and lucky to break even.

For the love of God, men! No one should have that on their conscience.

Unless, of course, all of this is part of a fiendish plan to blow up the Oscars and start over. In which case, carry on.

Poor Harvey Weinstein just can't catch a break. The Kevin Smith comedy "Zack and Miri Make a Porno" was supposed to catapult both Smith and the Weinstein Co. into the Judd Apatowian stratosphere; instead, the $24 million production earned just $37 million worldwide. Now hopes of a rich and fruitful afterlife are being threatened by one of the nation's largest DVD sales outlets. 

Wal-Mart won't carry the "p" word in its stores and has forced Weinstein to create new DVD covers that say simply, "Zack and Miri." As a result, a raunchy sex comedy about two friends who try to reverse their financial condition by producing a porn movie now sounds like a gentle romance between two retirees, possibly one of Hal Ashby's lesser works only now being released by Criterion.

While the garrulous Smith may be delusional on occasion ("I'm just so shocked that the word 'porno' meant that much to people in terms of, like, they found it insanely offensive and don't want to see it on display," he tells Victoria Ahearn), he nonetheless has a point: "Some Wal-Mart-er could buy it and think: 'Oh, 'Zack and Miri,' looks lovely,' and pop it in and there's ... some pretty graphic stuff."

"Zack and Miri" DVDs, with and without the porno, will go on sale Feb. 2. [Canoe]

RELATED: Zack and Miri Make A Good Old-Fashioned Porno Orgy

If you've had a hankering to commemorate the election of President Barack Obama with a T-shirt, keychain, coaster or similar, act now lest you run afoul of the law. Julianna Goldman reports that White House lawyers are looking to control the use of the President’s image, which has already found its way into selling Ikea furniture (“Embrace Changeâ€?), flights on Southwest Airlines (“Yes You Canâ€?) and, of course, Ben & Jerry’s â€œYes Pecanâ€? ice cream. (Chirps marketing strategist Al Reis, “Now’s the time to latch on to his coattails, because it isn’t going to last forever.â€?)

“I can’t remember this ever happening to an active politician before, as a spokesperson or as an image for a brand,� said Brad Adgate, director of research for Horizon Media Inc., a New York-based advertising agency. “He’s in the highest profile of any person in the world right now.�

That said, it's not the first time this has happened; in 1989, a cold medicine tried to invoke President George H.W. Bush with a Cold War-themed TV ad. Wakka-wakka. [Bloomberg]

Occasional Variety film critic Joe Leydon found a 24-year-old gem in his files: A 1985 interview with John Cassavetes, conducted when he was shooting what would be his last film, "Big Trouble." Leydon wrote the piece on spec and, at the time, couldn't find a buyer. (Released by Columbia Pictures in May 1986, "Big Trouble" received fairly awful reviews and bombed at the box office.) However, good things occasionally come to those who wait and the article has found a home in MovieMaker. It's a fine read and provides more evidence -- not that it was needed -- that little ever changes: 

“You know, in this business, it’s all jealousy. I mean, this is the dumbest business I’ve ever seen in my life. If somebody gets married, they say, ‘It’ll never work.’ If somebody gets divorced, they say, ‘Good. I’ll give you my lawyer.’ If somebody loses a job, everyone will call him—to gloat. They’ll discuss it, they’ll be happy, they’ll have parties. I don’t understand how people who see each other all the time, and are friends, can be so happy about each other’s demise. I think people—studio executives and filmmakers—should hate each other openly and save a lot of trouble." [MovieMaker]

Sharon Waxman launched The Wrap this week and God bless her for making the leap from ink-stained wretchedness to online -- for if she hadn't,we might have been deprived of the most surreal turn in the battle for the Screen Actors Guild's soul. Click above to hear (alas, not see -- the photo remains stable, though I don't vouch for the singer) SAG president Alan Rosenberg croon his woes. The lyrics are below for your listening pleasure. [The Wrap]

We don’t care about the future, we only care about us.
and if you don’t earn what I think I can earn,
I will throw you underneath a bus.

I sure do love my Union, it gave me my pension and my health,
but don’t expect me to stand up for nobody
till I’ve had a chance to accumulate some wealth.

I’ll stand up strong so that we might be weak
I insist you take that deal without even a tweak! (You bastards)

Al and Doug and Doug Allen?, they stand up way too hard.
If they keep fighting for my compensation,
I will bury them right in my own backyard.

Just tell my bosses that I’ll take what they’re willing to give,
‘cause I’m just so grateful that they even let me live!

I don’t care about nobody, I only care about me.
Lay down your weapons and stop all that nasty fighting,
don’t you know you should be glad to work for free!

I’ll stand up strong so that we might be weak,
I demand you take that deal without even a tweak.
Tell old CBS that I’ll take what they’re willing to give,
cause I’m just so grateful that they even let us live!

I don’t care about nobody.
No, I only care about me.

Lay down your weapons and stop all that nasty fighting,
don’t you know you should be glad to work,
shouldn’t even be mad to work,
sometimes you should prefer to work for free!

Sometimes as long as it ain’t me!
Meanwhile, come see me on TV!

Coldplay and the Killers will play a joint gig February 18 in London for an elite group of 2,000 fans. Becoming one of them requires entering a lottery; winners will be allowed to buy a ticket for £50 (about $71).

All proceeds go to international charity network War Child, which aids children in war-torn countries. And it's a promotion for the February 16 release of the album "War Child: Heroes," a collection of 15 covers that include Beck doing Bob Dylan's "Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat," TV On The Radio doing David Bowie's "Heroes" and Franz Ferdinand's cover of the Blondie hit "Call Me."

If you feel lucky and will be in London, the lottery registration opens at 9 am January 30 GMT (that's 1 am PST) and runs through February 3, with winners notified by February 6. The performances follow the 2009 BRIT Awards, with each band playing 45-minute sets at London venue Shepherd's Bush Empire. The lottery registration link isn't live yet, but it will be available here; you can also click there to sign up for a War Child newsletter that will alert you when the link goes live (ooh, fatter mailing lists! clever, they are). -- Stuart Oldham