TV personality

And -- whew! The 79th Annual Academy Awards are over, at long last. And we've finally gotten our front page out to the presses, so I can take a breath and try to think about the night.

Or maybe I can do that tomorrow, when I'm a little less keyed up from deadline.

In the meantime, I'll leave you with a list of tonight's winners, courtesy of The Associated Press:
Best Motion Picture: “The Departed”
Lead Actor: Forest Whitaker, “The Last King of Scotland”
Lead Actress: Helen Mirren, “The Queen”
Supporting Actor: Alan Arkin, “Little Miss Sunshine”
Supporting Actress: Jennifer Hudson, “Dreamgirls”
Directing: Martin Scorsese, “The Departed”
Foreign Language Film: “The Lives of Others,” Germany
Adapted Screenplay: William Monahan, “The Departed”
Original Screenplay: Michael Arndt, “Little Miss Sunshine”
Animated Feature Film: “Happy Feet”
Art Direction: “Pan’s Labyrinth”
Cinematography: “Pan’s Labyrinth”
Sound Mixing: “Dreamgirls”
Sound Editing: “Letters From Iwo Jima”
Original Score: “Babel,” Gustavo Santaolalla
Original Song: “I Need to Wake Up” from “An Inconvenient Truth,” Melissa Etheridge
Costume: “Marie Antoinette”
Documentary Feature: “An Inconvenient Truth”
Documentary Short Subject: “The Blood of Yingzhou District”
Film Editing: “The Departed”
Makeup: “Pan’s Labyrinth”
Animated Short Film: “The Danish Poet”
Live Action Short Film: “West Bank Story”
Visual Effects: “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest”

Thank you ... and good night.

Posted by Laura Marshall at 12:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Helen Mirren took Best Actress?

Who saw THAT coming?

Posted by Laura Marshall at 11:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Film Editing: "The Departed."

Still waiting for the big awards ...

Posted by Laura Marshall at 11:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

As far as I know, the Academy Awards were supposed to end by 11:30 p.m. There's a fixed end to the ceremony. That, as far as I've been able to tell, is why they "play people off" when their thank-you speeches go on too long.

Right?

That 11:30 cutoff is what makes it possible for little newspapers like mine to get their morning editions out on time. But with the Oscars running long tonight, there's no way we're going to make deadline. All we can do is sit and wait for the last award, the final wrap-up story from The AP.

And here they are, running "a look back at film" or something. WHAT? Come on. Isn't that the one thing you'd think they could cut from the evening without too much complaint? I mean, it's not like they could dispense with any of the awards, so.

Posted by Laura Marshall at 11:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

A quick update:

Melissa Etheridge took Best Original Song. We're getting close to the end now ...

Posted by Laura Marshall at 11:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

"Nice!"

"Yeah!"

Apparently, we're all happy about "Little Miss Sunshine" taking Best Original Screenplay here in The Eagle newsroom.

Really, I'm so happy for this little film that could. The question is, can it take Best Picture? I'm starting to think maybe.

Posted by Laura Marshall at 11:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I'm not surprised "Babel" took the Oscar for Best Original Score. I have no idea why that doesn't surprise me, to be honest, but it doesn't. I just figured it was a safe bet.

Just before they announced the winner just now, I said, "Come on, let it be 'The Queen' so I can complain about it!" But my wish was denied.

That's okay. I can complain anyway.

"The Queen" was a really, really good film. Not Best Picture good, but very good. But as I walked out of the theater after seeing it, I was struck by how much I hated the music in it. It just ... didn't go. it was obtrusively bad -- as in, it interfered with my enjoyment of the film. So it's good that it didn't win Best Score -- that means I was right about the music, and I love to be right -- but sometimes it's fun to rail against the voters' decisions.

Ah well. I'm sure I'll have more chances to do that with other awards tonight.

Posted by Laura Marshall at 11:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

"Well, Al Gore's an Oscar winner," as a fellow copy editor just said.

Imagine that.

But hey -- now at least he has a place in the presenter's seat at next year's awards. This year it was just kind of odd to see him presenting. And with Leo DiCaprio? Just ... odd.

Documentary, Long: "An Inconvenient Truth"
Documentary, Short: Darn, I didn't hear that one either.

Posted by Laura Marshall at 10:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I love to see Jennifer Hudson win. Even though it would have made my night to see Abigail Breslin take home the Supporting Actress award, I knew there was no chance Hudson wouldn't win.

The thing about her is that she's always so genuinely happy, so really shocked and thrilled about being recognized. She really means it, and she's so real. It's refreshing.

Posted by Laura Marshall at 10:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The dancers are really, really creeping me out.

Posted by Laura Marshall at 10:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The montage of past Foreign Language Film honorees was a nice touch.

And this year's Foreign Language Film winner is Germany's "The Live of Others."
Best Visual Effects: "Pirates of the Caribbean."

Posted by Laura Marshall at 10:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I'm always confused about The Associated Press wire photos. How do they choose the ones to send to all us lowly newspapers? Who makes those decisions?

And why do they send us 200 pictures of Jennifer Lopez?

The world may never know.

Oscar update: "Pan's Labyrinth" just took Achievement in Cinematography

Posted by Laura Marshall at 10:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The Academy Award for costume design has gone to the designer from "Marie Antoinette." Just having seen the previews for that movie, I can definitely see why.

Posted by Laura Marshall at 10:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Maybe just because I love writing -- and films about writing -- but I really enjoyed the collection of clips from writing movies. I'm so glad it included my favorite movie of all time, which is "Adaptation."

Best Adapted Screenplay: "The Departed." Okay, I know it was supposed to be a good movie, but do films based on other films really count? I don't know.

Posted by Laura Marshall at 09:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

I have two announcements:

"Happy Feet" has taken Animated Feature.

And Cameron Diaz is ... wait for it ... obnoxious as all get out. Hey, maybe she should host a red-carpet show next year on E!

Posted by Laura Marshall at 09:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

We were all waiting, cringing, for Al Gore to crack some awkward, terrible joke ... and instead, the little "announcement" bit was pretty funny. At first, I thought they were going too far with it, but when the music swelled up for the punch line, I actually laughed. Good stuff.

Posted by Laura Marshall at 09:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

“Letters From Iwo Jima” won for sound editing. I told you I'd update when I found out, and The AP just moved a partial list. So there you go.

James Taylor -- another local connection for the Berkshires -- "really maintains a high level of visibility," as a coworker just pointed out. And he never disappoints.

And on to the next song, performed by Melissa Etheridge, who's also always great.

Posted by Laura Marshall at 09:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

And the first real upset of the evening ... and I'm not the least bit upset about it.

Alan Arkin has taken Best Supporting Actor for his role in "Little Miss Sunshine"!

If Jackie Earle Haley couldn't win for "Little Children" -- and he really, really deserved to -- I'm so glad Arkin won. There was rejoicing here in the newsroom.

... And someone tell me what's up with the dance troupe? As a fellow copy editor just said to me, "I'm not sure I'm enjoying this. It's kind of creepy."

Posted by Laura Marshall at 09:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Speaking of musical numbers, the sound effects choir was kind of eerie -- I still am not sure I'm convinced those sounds were all made by those people. They just sounded too ... real. Though I know that was the point.

Oscar update: I didn't hear who won for sound editing! But I'll let you know as soon as I find out.
And "Dreamgirls" took the Oscar for sound mixing.

Posted by Laura Marshall at 09:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Best Animated Short Film: "The Danish Poet"
Best Live Action Short Film: "West Bank Story"

Yeah, "West Bank Story"! That film featured set design by Alethea Root, a native of Egremont, Mass., right here in the Berkshires!

Posted by Laura Marshall at 09:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Oscar update: The artists from "Pan's Labyrinth" took Achivevement in Makeup. I can't say I'm surprised -- I didn't get to see the film, but it looks very makeup-intensive in the previews and clips I've caught.

Posted by Laura Marshall at 08:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

This Will Ferrell-Jack Black musical number is definitely the high point of the Oscars so far.

Sure, the awards show has just started. But wow, this is great.

I had been sad to read interviews with Ellen in which she said she was refusing to sing like Billy Crystal; his movie songs were always my favorite part of the show.

Posted by Laura Marshall at 08:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

So -- I liked Ellen Degeneres' low-key, funny opening speech, especially the convoluted tale about her childhood ambitions not to receive an Oscar but to host the show. And the musical ending was an unexpected, fun segue.

Oscar update: "Pan's Labyrinth" for Art Direction.

Posted by Laura Marshall at 08:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Is this the beginning? DId I miss something? Wait --

Posted by Laura Marshall at 08:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Well, thanks to some technical difficulties I don't really understand, it looks like I won't be able to upload photos tonight. I keep getting an error saying the files are too large, even though they're the same size I always use.

And that means I won't be able to show you how much Joan Rivers looks like Cruella DeVil this evening. Shucks. But trust me -- just like Cruella.

Posted by Laura Marshall at 08:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

They just showed Kate Winslet again, and I'm not sure why I thought she was wearing blue before, but -- well, I was wrong. It's a very pale green, very shiny. It looks great on her, of course, and it really isn't something one sees on the red carpet very often.

Still not sure how I feel about it, but there you go.

Posted by Laura Marshall at 07:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The AP still hasn't moved any arrivals photos, despite the fact that people have been arriving for over an hour now. And the arrivals photos are one of the best parts of watching awards shows in a newsroom: We get to see the pictures we don't have room to print in the paper.

Come on, AP! Make with the photos!

Posted by Laura Marshall at 07:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

We were right!

We're big Kate Winslet fans at my house -- both of us -- and we'd read a quote from her about her plans for tonight's ensemble. Something about "a color one doesn't usually see on the red carpet."

No, Kate Winslet, we said. Stick with black, or even white. Something classic and lovely. "The trouble with her," I pontificated, "is that she's not as wrapped up in pomp and circumstance as the Angelinas. She could very well choose something 'fun' ... and 'fun' is not always good."

So we tried to guess the color. Blue or teal was my choice, but we bandied about other possibilities. I was so afraid that our offhand guesses of orange would be correct ... but no! I'm pretty sure I just caught a glimpse of her arriving, and she's in a bright blue. Whew! A little brighter, I think, than I would choose -- somewhat similar to her hair color in "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," maybe, but a far sight better than orange. Or yellow. Or chartreuse ...

Posted by Laura Marshall at 06:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I noticed this during the Golden Globes arrivals show on E!, and I'm wondering if this is a new thing, or ...? Anyway, I'm talking about the use of the Telestrator -- the sports thing they use to illustrate plays during televised games. But they're obnoxious about it on E!, drawing stupid cutesy things and pretending they're so clever.

You'd never guess that I love awards shows, the way I'm tossing around "obnoxious" like it's swag. But I really do.

Posted by Laura Marshall at 06:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Okay, I want to know how these E! pre-show hosts get selected.

Is there some kind of obnoxiousness competition, and the most annoying wins?

Actually, that sounds like a really fun awards show, and I think I should be the one to produce it. Something like "Most Obnoxious ... " And there can be categories like Actress, Actor, and Random Celebrity Who Doesn't Seem to Do Anything. Wow, that could be a blast.

Posted by Laura Marshall at 05:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

E! has been, all day, running little "True or Faux" questions about celebrity fashion blunders -- I mean, choices -- asking two alleged experts what they think about various stars' past, present and future ensembles.

The deputy managing editor just looked up at the screen -- he's proofing pages right underneath the TV, and the question E! had asked was, "Will we see a sexy J.Lo tonight?"

"What?" the DME asked. "Is she even nominated for anything?"

"Oh no," I replied. And really, why should she be? Most of the celebrities who show up at these things are overrated non-nominees. Of course, much of the time I tend to think the nominees are overrated too (can we say "Cate Blanchett"?). But that could just be me.

Now, I know E! had a lot of time to fill in their noon-to-six pre-pre-show, but I wish they had spent more time focusing on the nominees and the pictures -- even on past winners, surprises, disappointments and upsets -- than on random "prepping for the red carpet" segments. But maybe that's just me, too.

Posted by Laura Marshall at 05:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Décor certainly helps with any party, and Oscar parties are no exception.

For my celebration this evening, I stuck with a very neutral color palette I like to call "newsroom grey." After all, it may be fun to decorate with lavish floral displays and outrageously expensive chandeliers, like at the Governor's Ball official Oscar after-party, but I wouldn't want the party setting to upstage the main event.

There's a TV overhead in the corner, and I have a perfect view here from my desk. My snacks are all within reach, and my dinner will be here in a couple hours. This is going to be a great night. And if my favorites happen to win ... all the better!

Posted by Laura Marshall at 05:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I had hoped to see "Babel" before tonight's awards ceremony, but the residents of Pittsfield conspired against me.

It came out Tuesday, and went went to get it that evening, but all the copies had been rented. Same with Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and yesterday. What's a girl to do? We considered driving over this morning, so we could watch it before I had to come to work, but I didn't want to get up and around that early -- and, besides, there were pre-pre-pre-shows to watch.

So, unfortunately, I've still only seen two ("Little Miss Sunshine" and "The Queen") of the Best Picture nominees, but that's okay. I'll catch "Babel" as soon as my video store gets a copy back.

Posted by Laura Marshall at 05:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Maybe, for you, fashion really makes an Oscar party. I don't mean what the celebrities are wearing. I mean what you're wearing.

Do you go all out for your Academy Awards get-togethers, with the sequins and the lace and the weird shower-scrubby dresses? Or do you, like me, figure you can't compete and stay in the comfiest, grubbiest clothes you can find?

For my red-carpet appearance this evening, I'm wearing a flattering steel-grey t-shirt by H&M, plus classic light-green khakis by Old Navy. I decided to go natural with my hair, so it's down around my shoulders in messy reddish frizz -- I mean, waves. My shoes are by Columbia, and they're super-comfy grey-blue hiking boots; the glasses are Guess, my everyday thin black wire-rims.

And in case I get cold, I brought along my soft black zip-up sweater with the giant collar. Where did I get it, you ask? Why, Target, of course. Yeah, I'm that high maintenance.

Posted by Laura Marshall at 05:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

So what makes a really good Oscar party?

Is it the food? My main menu for tonight consists of Chinese takeout: General Tso's tofu and veggie lo mein. But there are snacks, of course -- yummy brownies by Dancing Deer Baking Co. and the "xocolatl" chocolate bar with chili peppers and cacao nibs by Dagoba. And Wild Oats brand all-natural ginger ale. Simple and convenient, but yummy and somewhat healthy too.

I considered chips and guacamole, but it's hard enough to eat and blog without adding messy goopy green stuff to the mix.

Posted by Laura Marshall at 04:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Good afternoon and welcome to the TV Personality Live Oscars Blog! ... Doesn't that sound nice and official?

Anyway, I'm here with my comfy clothes and my snacks and my all-natural sodas and The Berkshire Eagle's golf-bag-shaped newsroom remote, and I've commandeered the telly for the awards pre-show.

Of course, I've been watching the pre-show stuff on E! since it started at noon today -- basically, since I got up. So apart from being here at work, it's all Oscars, all the time for me today.

So stay tuned -- there's lots of Oscar glitz to share.

Posted by Laura Marshall at 04:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Wow. Do I really need another word to describe last night's episode of "The Office"? Just ... wow.

One thing I really love about the show is its ability to stay just inside the lines of hilarity and realism, and it pulled that off admirably with last night's confrontation between Pam (Jenna Fischer) and Roy (David Denman). Man, that scene was as emotionally intense and shocking as last season's Pam-Jim Kiss cliffhanger.

It was shocking because his violent outburst was so sudden and so very real, but not because it was unexpected. Denman's Roy has always had those traits: the jealousy, the self-centeredness, the lack of consideration for Pam's feelings, the ... I'm not sure what to call it. You could just always tell, looking at him, that he was capable of trashing a barroom -- or a person -- if something set him off. Look at "The Alliance," an episode from early last season, when Roy came in at the end to find Pam and Jim just laughing together; he nearly knocked Jim out right then. That was another great intense, real moment. And I look forward to finding out what will happen now.

But it's still a comedy: The writers, producers and actors all walk that line so carefully between comedy and drama, keeping the whole thing both funny and grounded. It's ultimately about human interaction and the complex relationships between coworkers, bosses, friends -- which are, of course, in turns hysterically funny, deeply serious, and just plain weird.

And can we say a few words about the crazy mixed-up relationship between Jan (Melora Hardin) and Michael (Steve Carell)? It's so wrong, and that's what makes it so right.

Posted by Laura Marshall at 03:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

My days are simple: I get up, usually, around 10 a.m. (later if I can help it, and earlier if I'm having a bad dream or panic attack); I hang out until 12:30 as I try to wake up fully; and then I do chores and play online or write or watch TV until 3:15, when it's time for me to leave for work.

Lately, the playing-online potion of what I call my morning is taking up more and more of my time. And it's all YouTube's fault. There are thousands upon thousands of videos out there -- some good, some middling, some awful -- just begging to be watched. I'm still navigating, and it's incredible the amount of time that takes. You can search by movie or TV show or celebrity name for clips and trailers and interviews old and new, or you can ride wave after wave of amateur videos. And for every little gem you watch, a list pops up with "related" features, so you can just click from one to the next to the next ... It's endless.

"What did you do this afternoon?" I am asked when I get home, and I have to think.

"Hm. I -- made lunch. And I wrote a blog entry. And ... I guess I played on YouTube until it was suddenly time to get ready for work."

Of course, I always mean to do the dishes and take care of housework and edit the novel that's gathering dust in my study, but no -- it seems to come down to this: "YouTube sucked my soul. Again."

Posted by Laura Marshall at 04:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I think I forgot, in all the awards-show hype this season, to share with you my impressions of this year's Academy Awards nominees — and my picks and predictions for the major awards.

I suppose I'm better late than never, as they say. My predictions are in bold.

ACTOR:
Leonardo DiCaprio, “Blood Diamond"
Ryan Gosling, “Half Nelson"
Peter O’Toole, “Venus"
Will Smith, “The Pursuit of Happyness"
Forest Whitaker, “The Last King of Scotland"

I'm going to go way out on a limb here and predict that Forest Whitaker will complete his sweep of the awards with another win for his turn as dictator Idi Amin in "The Last King of Scotland."

ACTRESS:
Penelope Cruz, “Volver"
Judi Dench, “Notes on a Scandal"
Helen Mirren, “The Queen"
Meryl Streep, “The Devil Wears Prada"
Kate Winslet, “Little Children"

As much as I really loved "Little Children," and as much as I wish Kate Winslet could get some recognition for a brilliant performance in that film, I don't think anyone in this category — not even the inimitable Meryl Streep — has a shot at beating out Helen Mirren for this prize.

SUPPORTING ACTOR:
Alan Arkin, “Little Miss Sunshine"
Jackie Earle Haley, “Little Children"
Djimon Hounsou, “Blood Diamond"
Eddie Murphy, “Dreamgirls"
Mark Wahlberg, “The Departed"

I'm making a prediction here that I don't believe myself. I mean, Murphy has been lauded to no end for his part in "Dreamgirls," so I'm sure he did well. But I've seen "Little Children" three times now, and Jackie Earle Healey's portrayal of a convicted sex offender is so shockingly good that it surprises me every time. He deserves the Oscar — I have no doubt about this — but I don't think he'll walk away with it.

SUPPORTING ACTRESS:
Adriana Barraza, “Babel"
Cate Blanchett, “Notes on a Scandal"
Abigail Breslin, “Little Miss Sunshine"
Jennifer Hudson, “Dreamgirls"
Rinko Kikuchi, “Babel"

Hudson has already been granted confirmation of her star stature in Golden Globe and SAG Award form, and I predict she'll take home the Oscar, too. I would love to see little Abigail Breslin's nuanced, real performance in "Little Miss Sunshine" recognized, but I suspect the nomination will have to suffice.

DIRECTING:
Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, “Babel"
Martin Scorsese, “The Departed"
Clint Eastwood, “Letters From Iwo Jima"
Stephen Frears, “The Queen"
Paul Greengrass, “United 93"

It's Scorsese. Does anyone else really have a chance?

PICTURE:
"Babel"
"The Departed"
"Letters from Iwo Jima"
"Little Miss Sunshine"
"The Queen"

Okay ... so this one is a toughie. Of the five, I've only seen two: "Little Miss Sunshine" and "The Queen." I had no interest in seeing "The Departed" -- it just doesn't seem like my cup of tea, from everything I've seen and read about it, even though I'll admit it's likely very well done. Same, kind of, for "Letters from Iwo Jima," although I really think I'd enjoy that better than its counterpart, "Flags of our Fathers," and definitely better than "Departed." I didn't get to see "Babel" in the theaters, because by the time I'd convinced myself that it sounded interesting enough to counteract the presence of Brad Pitt (Multiple interconnected storylines in multiple languages? That's so me, I could have made that film!), it was gone. Luckily, it came out on video today, so I can rent it this week and watch it before Sunday's awards.

But hey, I've made most of my predictions without seeing all the films in each category. So why is it so tough to pick a "Best Picture"? Because, you see, the Academy tends to be unpredictable in this area. Remember how "Crash" robbed "Brokeback Mountain" of the prize?

My money, I think, would be on "Babel": "Little Miss Sunshine," while probably my favorite movie of the five, will probably not stand up well to the weightier subject matter in the other films; "The Queen" was great, but it was all about Helen Mirren, so once she's honored as "Best Actress," that's it; and I honestly don't know if enough people saw "Letters from Iwo Jima" to ensure its victory. "The Departed" is probably the strongest competitor "Babel" has.

But as I said to someone or other last night, while we were watching a pre-Oscars show on The Biography Channel, "Letters from Iwo Jima" will probably win. Just because I don't think it should.

Posted by Laura Marshall at 11:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The unthinkable has happened.

I arrived home from work at midnight on Thursday to find sorrowful eyes in the kitchen. "I have bad news."

An accident? A flood? Illness in the family? -- "Our shows didn't tape." Oh.

Oh.

Thanks to our new digital cable, we have to set the VCR very differently from before: We have to leave the cable box on at the channel we're taping, and we have to set the VCR to channel 3, and then we have to program the VCR to tape channel 3 for the length of time our shows are on. This is very easy to forget, since our old system just involved setting the VCR to tape the channel we wanted for the time we wanted. I knew it was just a matter of time before the new system backfired on us ... and it did Thursday night. We missed our NBC shows, "The Office" and "30 Rock."

"No problem," I said. "We can download the episodes from iTunes for, like, two bucks."

Crisis averted.

Posted by Laura Marshall at 10:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

WHAT: An Oscar-night extravaganza!
DATE: Sunday, Feb. 25,
TIME: Beginning at 4 p.m.
WHERE: Right here at www.blogtheberkshires.com/tv/
DRESS: Black tie, of course. But if you want to show up in your jammies, we won't turn you away.

Posted by Laura Marshall at 09:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

And here concludes my live blog coverage of the 49th Annual Grammy Awards.

I think it's just great that the Dixie Chicks were able at last to overcome the bad press from that one little anti-Bush remark so long ago and pick up five whole Grammys, including both Record of the Year and Album of the Year.

I'm not a huge fan of them or anything — until tonight, I hadn't even heard "I'm Not Ready to Make Nice" — but, like everyone with TV access, I had heard about the huge stink country fans and conservatives had made about their opinion of the president. Like many, I thought, "Who cares?" and went on with my life.

And so did they. They kept going and made more music, and now they're back — with the awards to prove it. Good for them!

I hope y'all have enjoyed watching the awards show with me, and I hope you'll tune in Sunday, Feb. 25, for my Oscar Night party!

Posted by Laura Marshall at 11:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Joan and Melissa Rivers have finally, without question, lost it.

What IS this?

Posted by Laura Marshall at 11:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The Grammys, for some reason, have seemed to go by far more quickly than any other awards show I've seen. Here it is, almost 11:00 p.m., and I'm wondering where exactly the night has gone.

I can't figure out why this is: Is it the combination of concert and awards show? Does the music make time slip by faster? I know it helps me get my housework done.

This year, CBS decided to capitalize on the success of the Fox Network's "American Idol" by incoporating a singing competition into the show: Viewers were asked to vote for three performers, and the winner would get to sing a duet with Justin Timberlake.

That's going on now, and in my opinion the whole segment was a complete waste of time. Nobody needed that, except maybe the girl who won, and did it need to take over ten whole minutes?

Posted by Laura Marshall at 10:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

WHY is David Spade introducing a Grammy act? How bizarre.

At least he made a joke about what an unlikely choice he is for the role.

Posted by Laura Marshall at 10:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

So Carrie Underwood is the Best New Artist. She may be newer than Imogen Heap, but she's not exactly new this year. She won "American Idol" in spring 2005, and it feels like she's been around forever. Seriously, who came up with the criteria for this award?

It seems the winners are being very brief with their acceptance speeches — more so than winners at other awards shows. I wonder why that is?

Something, perhaps, to do with the fact that most popular songs are 3 to 5 minutes long, while TV shows are 30 to 60 minutes and movies are a couple hours? Maybe the musical artists are just used to reaching audiences in shorter time slots.

Posted by Laura Marshall at 10:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I hadn't seen Mary J. Blige perform before tonight, and I hadn't heard any of her songs, but I must say, she really can sing. Wow.

And here is a partial list of tonight's winners, courtesy of The Associated Press wire:
Female R&B Vocal Performance: “Be Without You,” Mary J. Blige.
Pop Vocal Album: “Continuum,” John Mayer.
Pop Collaboration With Vocals: “For Once in My Life,” Tony Bennett and Stevie Wonder.
R&B Album: “The Breakthrough,” Mary J. Blige.
Short Form Music Video: “Here It Goes Again,” OK Go.
Long Form Music Video: “Wings for Wheels: The Making of Born to Run,” Bruce Springsteen.
Recording Package: “10,000 Days,” Adam Jones, art director (Tool).
Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package: “Stadium Arcadium,” Flea, John Frusciante, Anthony Kiedis, Chad Smith and Matt Taylor, art directors (Red Hot Chili Peppers).
Album Notes: “If You Got to Ask, You Ain’t Got It!” Dan Morgenstern, album notes writer (Fats Waller).
Historical Album: “Lost Sounds: Blacks and the Birth of the Recording Industry 1891-1922.”
Engineered Album, Classical: “Elgar: Enigma Variations; Britten: the Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra, Four Sea Interludes,” Michael Bishop, engineer (Paavo Jarvi and Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra).
Producer of the Year, Classical: Elaine Martone.
Classical Album: “Mahler: Symphony No. 7,” Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor, Andreas Neubronner, producer (San Francisco Symphony).
Orchestral Performance: “Mahler: Symphony No. 7,” Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor (San Francisco Symphony).
Opera Recording: “Golijov: Ainadamar: Fountain of Tears,” Robert Spano, conductor, Kelley O’Connor and Dawn Upshaw; Valerie Gross and Sid McLauchlan, producers (Women of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra).
Choral Performance: “Part: Da Pacem,” Paul Hillier, conductor (Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir).
Instrumental Soloist(s) Performance (with Orchestra): “Messiaen: Oiseaux Exotiques (Exotic Birds),” John McLaughlin Williams, conductor; Angelin Chang (Cleveland Chamber Symphony).
Instrumental Soloist Performance (without Orchestra): “Chopin: Nocturnes,” Maurizio Pollini.
Chamber Music Performance: “Intimate Voices,” Emerson String Quartet.
Small Ensemble Performance: “Padilla: Sun of Justice,” Peter Rutenberg, conductor (Los Angeles Chamber Singers’ Cappella).
Classical Vocal Performance: “Rilke Songs,” Lorraine Hunt Lieberson (Peter Serkin), track from Lieberson: Rilke Songs, The Six Realms, Horn Concerto.
Classical Contemporary Composition: “Golijov: Ainadamar: Fountain of Tears,” Osvaldo Golijov (Robert Spano).
Classical Crossover Album: “Simple Gifts,” Bryn Terfel (London Voices; London Symphony Orchestra).
Latin Pop Album (tie): “Adentro,” Arjona. “Limon Y Sal,” Julieta Venegas.
Latin Rock, Alternative or Urban Album: “Amar Es Combatir,” Mana.
Tropical Latin Album: “Directo Al Corazon,” Gilberto Santa Rosa.
Mexican/Mexican-American Album: “Historias De Mi Tierra,” Pepe Aguilar.
Tejano Album: “Sigue El Taconazo,” Chente Barrera.
Norteno Album: “Historias Que Contar,” Los Tigres Del Norte.
Banda Album: “Mas Alla Del Sol,” Joan Sebastian.
Rap Solo Performance: “What You Know,” T.I.
Rap Performance by a Duo or Group: “Ridin,” Chamillionaire featuring Krayzie Bone.
Rap/Sung Collaboration: “My Love,” Justin Timberlake featuring T.I.
Rap Song: “Money Maker,” Christopher Bridges and Pharrell Williams (Ludacris featuring Pharrell).
Gospel Performance: “Victory,” Yolanda Adams.
Gospel Song: “Imagine Me,” Kirk Franklin (Kirk Franklin).
Rock or Rap Gospel Album: “Turn Around,” Jonny Lang.
Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album: “Wherever You Are,” Third Day.
Southern, Country, or Bluegrass Gospel Album: “Glory Train,” Randy Travis.
Traditional Gospel Album: “Alive in South Africa,” Israel and New Breed.
Contemporary R&B Gospel Album: “Hero,” Kirk Franklin.
Traditional Blues Album: “Risin’ With the Blues,” Ike Turner.
Contemporary Blues Album: “After the Rain,” Irma Thomas.
Compilation Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media: “Walk the Line,” Joaquin Phoenix and Various Artists.
Score Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media: “Memoirs of a Geisha,” John Williams, composer.
Song Written for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media: “Our Town (From Cars),” Randy Newman (James Taylor).
Instrumental Composition: “A Prayer for Peace,” John Williams, composer (John Williams), from “Munich — Soundtrack.”
Instrumental Arrangement: “Three Ghouls,” Chick Corea, arranger (Chick Corea), from “The Ultimate Adventure.”
Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s): “For Once in My Life,” Jorge Calandrelli, arranger (Tony Bennett and Stevie Wonder), from “Duets: an American Classic.”
Traditional Folk Album: “We Shall Overcome — the Seeger Sessions,” Bruce Springsteen.
Contemporary Folk/Americana Album: “Modern Times,” Bob Dylan.
Native American Music Album: “Dance With the Wind,” Mary Youngblood.
Hawaiian Music Album: “Legends of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar — Live From Maui,” Various Artists.
Reggae Album: “Love Is My Religion,” Ziggy Marley.
Traditional World Music Album: “Blessed,” Soweto Gospel Choir.
Contemporary World