OSCARS TONIGHT AT 8 ON ABC!

Hello, hello! Hope everyone is pumped about the Oscars tonight!! I know I am! I'm already watching the E! Preshow coverage. OMG - please stop grabbing your boobs, Debbie Matenopolous. Ugh, can't stand her. No wonder Barbara Walters kicked her off "The View." Anyhow, there's supposedly going to be a lot of suprises tonight - I sure hope so! I mean, not of the Chris Brown a la Grammys style, but you know something scandalous like a Brangelina-Aniston run in. Should be a fun night! Sidenote: Speaking of surprises, Nicole Richie and Joel Madden are going to have another baby. Perhaps a sis for little Harlow.

Tonight's host is Hugh Jackman. Ol' Twinkle Toes is going to wow us with his singing and dancing, apparently trying to keep the entertainment as low budge as possible. Remember his musical CBS show "Viva Loughlin"? Yeah, nobody does since it was cancelled after one episode. I don't know if the world can handle any more of his musical stylings...

I gave some predictions after the nominations were announced, but just as a refresher:

Best Actor:
Richard Jenkins - The Visitor
Frank Langella - Frost/Nixon
Sean Penn - Milk
Brad Pitt - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Mickey Rourke - The Wrestler

Showdown! The media is abuzz that this will be a head-to-head match between Mickey Rourke and Sean Penn. Rourke has been taking home all of the awards, including the Independent Spirit Award last night. He gave a bit of a rambling speech about his dog Loki that died last week and Eric Roberts, who he claims is one of the best actors around. If Eric Roberts is a fantastic actor, then Tila Tequila deserves to be noted for her amazing skills as an actress. Please. But we all know Mickey likes his "candy," which obviously leads to his rambling and fashion choices. The video is entertaining though - definitely take a look.

Sean Penn did a fantastic job in Milk. It really was a good film and he embodied Harvey Milk perfectly. He's always the media's Prince of Awards, so he may just take home the gold. It will be a fight to the finish between these two.

Best Actress:
Anne Hathaway - Rachel Getting Married
Angelina Jolie - Changeling
Melissa Leo - Frozen River
Meryl Streep - Doubt
Kate Winslet - The Reader

This could be a toss-up. Every one of these women have been voted to win by the media outlets, so it could be a shock who wins. Anne Hathaway is so young, so I think it would be great for her to be given time to continue to hone her skills. It's most likely going to come down to Kate Winslet and Meryl Streep. Kate did a phenomenal job in The Reader. I loved her in that movie and definitely think she should win. But damn, does that girl love to be naked! I've seen her naked more than I've seen myself. She did just say she's going to stop with all the nudity in her films, but we'll see if she can stand the feel of clothing for too long.

Best Supporting Actor:
Josh Brolin - Milk
Robert Downey Jr. - Tropic Thunder
Philip Seymour Hoffman - Doubt
Heath Ledger - The Dark Knight
Michael Shannon - Revolutionary Road

It seems like every category this year is unpredictable! This one will come down to Heath Ledger and Josh Brolin. Though Ledger is somewhat of a shoe-in, the media has been pushing for Brolin to win as of late. He did a great job playing the unhinged Dan White in the film, but the award could go to Ledger as people are wanting to honor him.

Best Supporting Actress:
Amy Adams - Doubt
Penelope Cruz - Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Viola Davis - Doubt
Taraji P. Henson - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Marisa Tomei - The Wrestler

I'm pretty certain this award will go to Penelope Cruz. Though I think she's terrible in most everything else, she was wonderful in Vicky Cristina Barcelona. She really added the pizazz to the film. I feel like she always wears the same style dress in light pink, so let's hope she opts to add some pizazz to her ensemble tonight.

Best Picture:
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Frost/Nixon
Milk
The Reader
Slumdog Millionaire

Ah, the moment you've all been waiting for... My choice is Slumdog Millionaire, but I will still be a happy camper if The Reader takes home the gold. I loved both films and think they are both worthy of the win. Slumdog was more heartwarming though and has swept all of the award shows so far. Milk stands a chance, but not so sure it will be able to beat these other two. Curious Case has the most nominations with thirteen so it's bound to win something, just not this category. Frost/Nixon was good, but the film lost a lot of the power that the live performance had. The pivotal part when Nixon admits his wrongdoing is more of a passing moment, while it packed much more of a punch in the play. Worth seeing, but not worth the gold.

We'll see who wins tonight when the show starts at 8pm on ABC! I can't wait! Time to go prepare my dish for the Oscar Party! I'm so pumped about tonight's festivities. I'm most excited about the glamourous dresses, and of course the chance to judge celebrities! Look for my fashion update tomorrow. Everyone enjoy the show tonight!! I'll be Twittering throughout so follow me @PopGuru!

It's Official - The Oscar Noms Announced!

Hola everyone! I hope you are all celebrating what a momentous week this has been! What's more important than the Oscar nominations being announced? Nothing! That's right - the official 2009 nominations for Academy Awards were announced today and the best award show of the season is underway. Designers are scrambling to get their best dresses to the nominees. People are planning their speeches in case they win. And Tom Cruise is busy trying to find someway to get an invite and pretend he has a legit excuse to be there. Because Scientology is always welcome on the red carpet. Here's the list of nominees:

Best Actor:
Richard Jenkins - The Visitor
Frank Langella - Frost/Nixon
Sean Penn - Milk
Brad Pitt - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Mickey Rourke - The Wrestler

Every one of these nominations was expected, but I was blindsided when I saw Richard Jenkins was nominated. This is the man that everyone recognizes, but no one has a clue what his name is or what else he's been in (with the exception of geeks like me). He's steadily been in almost everything you've seen in television or film since the '90s - Flirting with Disaster, It Could Happen to You, "Six Feet Under", North Country, Rumor Has It, Step Brothers, Burn After Reading... The list goes on and on. You've seen him and thought - "Hey, who is that guy?" But he rarely gets more than the bat of an eyelash. Which is unfortunate because he was great in "Six Feet Under" and Burn After Reading. I haven't seen The Visitor, but I certainly will now that Richard Jenkins is finally getting the recognition he deserves after 30 years in the industry. The underdog story is always appealing to the masses, and I think his win would be a fantastic one for the people. Bravo, Richard!

Best Actress:
Anne Hathaway - Rachel Getting Married
Angelina Jolie - Changeling
Melissa Leo - Frozen River
Meryl Streep - Doubt
Kate Winslet - The Reader

Anne Hathaway and Kate Winslet - get ready to duke it out for this one! All are great actresses (though never heard of Melissa Leo until now), but the press has been gunning for these two ladies to take home the gold since last summer. Be prepared to hear a lot more about Anne and Kate over the next month - not that that's a bad thing! Kate looks amazing in the new issue of InStyle, btw.

Best Supporting Actor:
Josh Brolin - Milk
Robert Downey Jr. - Tropic Thunder
Philip Seymour Hoffman - Doubt
Heath Ledger - The Dark Knight
Michael Shannon - Revolutionary Road

Wow - really? Robert Downey Jr.? I totally understood the Golden Globe nom and felt it was legit if he won, but comedic performances typically have a touch chance at the Oscars. He did a good job in that movie, I just really did not like Tropic Thunder. I guess I shouldn't fault him for being associated with Tom Cruise... It's just so hard! I still haven't gotten over Meryl Streep agreeing to be in Lions for Lambs with him. We'll see if Robert Downey Jr. can surpass Heath Ledger though - the noms were announced on the one year anniversary of his death.

Best Supporting Actress:
Amy Adams - Doubt
Penelope Cruz - Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Viola Davis - Doubt
Taraji P. Henson - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Marisa Tomei - The Wrestler

Man, I need to see Doubt. They are all over these awards! Ok - that's my mission this week. Though I can't stand her, I'm happy Penelope Cruz was nominated because she really was the dominant force in Vicky Cristina Barcelona. See! I can be kind to those I hate! I'm not so evil... (Hear that, Tyra?) However, I don't really understand why Taraji P. Henson's role in Curious Case was that big of a deal? She played a mother - that's about it. She did well, but it wasn't the part of the movie that I thought much about. There's a lot of critics that would disagree with me on that, but whatevs!

Best Picture:
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Frost/Nixon
Milk
The Reader
Slumdog Millionaire

And the winner is... Pink Panther 2! J/K - My vote goes to Slumdog Millionaire. I loved this film! If you haven't seen it, I suggest you brave the cold and get yourself to a theater...STAT! And if you've seen Curious Case... Well, you may have enjoyed it more the first time you saw it... When it was called Forrest Gump. This video points out the similarities, none of which I noticed!

Of course, I'm participating in Pop Guru's Oscar Challenge again this year for the fourth year running. I have to see every film nominated for Best Picture before the Academy Awards so I can have an educated opinion on who should win. It's the one time of year my opinions are based on solid facts and research, so cherish the moment. They're still unsolicited, but nonetheless, knowledgeable. I challenge you all to participate in this contest as well! You get nothing in return except an empty wallet and a fat ass from all the popcorn you consume, but it's worth it! You have one month until the big day - The Academy Awards air February 22 at 8pm EST on ABC.

We Bid You Adieu, Heath

I would like to share with you a very fond memory. One time after a long day at work, I got a ridiculous nicotine craving and decided to go outside for a breath of fresh air and a cigarette. I was in my pajamas but I thought, "Who am I going to see?" So I began my walk down the five flights of stairs to the street outside my apartment.

I lit a cigarette, took a deep breath, then made a call to my friend Miranda to entertain me for the next few minutes. I stood in front of Bar Pitti, a restaurant below my apartment, to see if I might catch a glimpse of a celeb. I scoped the crowd while I pretended to listen to my friend as she told me the joys of teaching kindergardners, or as I like to call them "Satan's Little Snotty Elves." I happened to notice a man with his back to me. I recognize that ponytail, I thought to myself. Then I suddenly gasped, "Oh my goh, Miranda - THAT'S HEATH LEDGER!!!" I moved to where I could get a good look at that gorgeous face. He was just casually dining with a friend (no sign of Michelle or Matilda). He caught me staring at him and I immediately jerked my head the other way. I then proceeded to fake laugh extremely loudly at everything my friend said just so Heath would glance my way. We stole a few more looks at each other - mine looks of love, his looks of fear at the girl in her pajamas smoking a cigarette and scarily glaring at him while laughing like a madwoman. Finally, I decided to leave him be and huffed and puffed all the way up the stairs just like a giddy schoolgirl.

So after that story, you can imagine my shock when I was informed of Heath's death yesterday. I was also shocked that he was friends with Mary-Kate Olsen, but that's another issue. Varying details are everywhere, all over the internet, newspapers, etc. Must they mention that he stared in A Knight's Tale? I mean, way to kick a man when he's down. That's a horrendous film. Can't they remember him for his more important works, like Lords of Dogtown? Oh yeah, I saw that in the theater. And multiple times since.

Heath's SoHo apartment is only ten blocks from mine and I've yet to venture to that area, but I'm sure it's a mad house. Some of you may think this is morbid, but below are some pictures that WireImage posted of the cops taking him from his house and his apartment building. Maybe that's terrible of me, I don't know, so sorry if you are offended. Also below, an article with a time line of the events before the cops arrived at his house. There have been a lot of rumors swirling around about what went on yesterday, but this New York Times article seems pretty accurate.

The masseuse who discovered the body of Heath Ledger in a Manhattan apartment on Tuesday twice called a friend of his, the actress Mary-Kate Olsen, before calling 911, New York City police officials said on Wednesday. The officials, who provided new details about Mr. Ledger’s death, emphasized that no illegal drugs were found in the apartment and that there were no obvious signs of suicide. Tests on a rolled-up $20 bill that was found in the apartment found no evidence that the bill had been used to handle drugs, they said.

According to the police, around 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, a housekeeper, Teresa Solomon, arrived at the apartment, at 421 Broome Street in SoHo, to do household chores. At about 1 p.m., she went into Mr. Ledger’s bedroom to change a light bulb in an adjacent bathroom; she found him on the bed face down, with the sheet pulled up to his shoulders, and heard him snoring.

A masseuse, Diana Wolozin, arrived to give Mr. Ledger a massage about 2:45 p.m. At 3 p.m., after Mr. Ledger did not emerge from his bedroom, with the door closed, the masseuse called him on his cellphone but got no answer. She entered the bedroom and saw him lying in bed. She took a massage table out of the closet and began to set it up near his bed. She then went over to him and shook him, but got no response. Using his cellphone, she used a speed-dial button to call Ms. Olsen in California to seek her guidance, knowing Ms. Olsen to be a friend of Mr. Ledger’s.

According to the authorities, Ms. Wolozin told Ms. Olsen that Mr. Ledger was unconscious. Ms. Olsen said she would call some private security people she knew in New York, and hung up. Ms. Wolozin again shook Mr. Ledger, called Ms. Olsen a second time, and said she believed the situation was grave and would call 911.

Ms. Wolozin called 911 at 3:26 p.m. to say that Mr. Ledger was not breathing. The call occurred less than 15 minutes since she had first seen him in bed and only a few moments after the first call to Ms. Olsen. The 911 operator urged Ms. Wolozin to try to revive Mr. Ledger, but Ms. Wolozin’s efforts were not successful.

Emergency medical workers arrived at 3:33 p.m., at almost exactly the same moment as a private security guard summoned by Ms. Olsen. The medical workers moved his body to the floor and then used a defibrillator and CPR, to no avail. Mr. Ledger was pronounced dead at 3:36 p.m. By that point, two other private security guards summoned by Ms. Olsen had arrived, as had police officers.

The police said that all five witnesses — Ms. Solomon, the housekeeper; Ms. Wolozin, the masseuse; and the three private security guards summoned by Ms. Olsen — were fully cooperating with the authorities.

The police conducted tests on a rolled-up $20 bill found in Mr. Ledger’s apartment, but found no evidence that the bill had been used for anything improper. No illegal narcotics or alcohol was found in the apartment. Prescription sleeping pills were found near the body, but it is not known if the medication played a role in his death.

The police said they were looking to examine any surveillance videos from the apartment building and the surrounding area but were also awaiting the results of an investigation by the New York City chief medical examiner. The office conducted an autopsy early Wednesday morning but said that the results were inconclusive and that additional testing was needed.

The death of Mr. Ledger, 28, the Australian-born actor whose breakthrough role as a gay cowboy in the 2005 movie “Brokeback Mountain” earned him a nomination for an Academy Award, has attracted international attention.






Article: New York Times
Photos: WireImage

Weekend Roundup

In sad news this week, Kanye West's mother, Donda West, passed away Saturday. She died as the result of complications with cosmetic surgery, her publicist confirmed to CNN today. Donda was chairwoman of Chicago State University's English department before leaving her post to become Kanye's manager in 2004. She also served as chairwoman of the Kanye West Foundation, an educational nonprofit helping decrease dropout rates and improve literacy. Donda recently released a book entitled Raising Kanye: Life Lessons from the Mother of a Hip-Hop Star.

- Britney Spears may have failed a drug test. I no longer know if I'm reporting on Britney or Anna Nicole Smith. UPDATE: The cause of the failed drug test was prescription drugs. A Britney source told TMZ, "The only thing that comes on the results are the prescriptions, that the court doctor prescribed. There has been no illegal drugs or even alcohol in any of the test results."

- Britney's new album "Blackout" is losing the top spot on the charts mighty fast.

- Elisabeth Hasselbeck gave birth to a baby boy this weekend, whose name she will reveal today when she calls into "The View". UPDATE: Elisabeth announced she and husband Tim Hasselbeck named their son Taylor Thomas Hasselbeck.

- Christina Aguilera had a blue-themed baby shower this weekend. And what would any baby shower be without a perfomance by a few drag queens?


- Angelina Jolie's leather pants began to split this weekend at the London premiere of Beowulf. But not to worry, Brad Pitt shielded the split by putting his hand on her ass.

- Does pregnancy cause your hair to thin out? Nicolette Sheridan reportedly asked her costars this question, prompting rumors that she might be preggers.

- News of the World is reporting that Chelsy Davy has dumped Prince Harry.

- Kate Hudson might be dating Heath Ledger these days. I can't keep up with her love life.

- Alicia Keys is glad she listened to her mama. She first chose her stage name to be Alicia Wild, which her mother told her made her sound like a stripper. Well, anything is better than her real name... Alicia Augello-Cook.

- A woman got so excited upon seeing Jessica Simpson at NYC's Waverly Inn restaurant last week that she "gets up and runs through the crowd to get a peek." But instead of catching up to Simpson, the woman fell over onto a table knocking it over, sending plates and glasses flying, and then she finally landed near the fireplace. I know what you are thinking... No, it wasn't me. I swear!

Photos: WireImage

Knocked Up: Halle Berry Edition

Today I was riding the elevator at work and the doors opened to reveal... Chris Hansen of NBC's "Dateline: To Catch a Predator". If ever I had a sensation to wet my pants, it was staring into those eyes that have made even the wiliest of pedophiles shake in their boots. For four solemn floors alone on an elevator with Chris Hansen, I kept thinking, "At what point are the cameras going to reveal themselves? No, little girl, I don't want any of your sweet tea!" I was terrified. Guess I didn't do anything wrong because he never even glanced over at me. Whew!

- Halle Berry is with child after being impregnated by her model beau, Gabriel Aubry.

- In other baby news, Paris Hilton is trying to catch up to Nicole Richie by popping out a few. Only problem: she isn't dating anyone. Please... That's just a minor detail. Paris says, "I just started working out and it feels great. It gives me so much energy. I want kids next year, so I've got to get my body ready." Perhaps you should just adopt Brandon "Greasy Bear" Davis. I've heard he's in need of some money.

- Drew Barrymore has been seen making out with the "I'm a Mac" guy Justin Long. That's a weird combo.

- Heath Ledger and Michelle Williams have split after three unexciting years together.

- Jenna Fischer, aka Pam from "The Office", and her husband James Gunn have split after six years together.

- Commercials for the DVD release of Georgia Rule are airing minus one important component... Lindsay Lohan. She has been erased from the commercial, I'm assuming to help sales. Do you mind erasing the horrible memory I have of going to see this terrible train wreck of a movie? Don't believe the hype, people. They advertise it as a hysterical family romp - but it has a more depressing, pedophilia vibe to it. Steer clear, my friends. Heed my warning!

- Poor Owen Wilson. He has had a rough couple of weeks. The National Enquirer is now reporting that he has attempted suicide twice before his most recent effort. And his family is trying to keep Kate Hudson as far away from him as possible, and I can't say that I blame them.

- "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" starts next Thursday, September 13, on F/X at 10PM. Make sure you tune in! It's awesome, and wrong, but totally awesome!

I must now pack for the weekend and get some sleep!!

Photo: MSNBC

Britney in rehab...and out again

Britney Spears officially entered a Los Angeles rehab called Promises yesterday, as confirmed by her manager Larry Rudolph. But now, she's out again. Spears checked out of Promises today and tried to hit another tattoo parlor on her way home, but much to her dismay, it was closed. She must have been on one hell of a drinking binge to have done this twice in one week.

OK! Magazine is reporting that Kevin Federline threatened to have Britney's hair tested to see what she has been up to. He could possibly be testing the hair to see what kind of illegal drugs she has been using, as evidence in a custody battle. But Brit had the last laugh as she cut it all off to prevent her drug use being found out. Good move, Britney. However, I don't think jumping from rehab to rehab really helps your case any.

In other news...

- Naomi Watts and Liev Schreiber are supposedly expecting a baby. She was seen at Pastis this weekend "looking visibly pregnant". Sources say they plan to secretly marry in a similar fashion to Heath Ledger and Michelle Williams. Heath is Naomi's ex-boyfriend.

- Hania Barton, the 19-year-old sister of Mischa Barton, has entered rehab because of her addiction to prescription painkillers. Since Mischa's fifteen minutes have come and gone and I've never even heard of Hania, I'm not sure why this is news. But I thought I would pass it along anyway.

- There is a shortage of eye liner throughout America. Why? Because Carmen Electra and Dave Navarro are officially divorced, and he wants to impress you ladies.

- Lindsay Lohan has been seen partying with Steve-O of Jackass fame. I'm not sure that hanging out with a known drug addict right after you get out of rehab is the smartest move in the world, but I guess you've got to get your contact high somehow.

- Heather Mills (Paul McCartney's ex) will be appearing on Dancing with the Stars. Sad...does she need money that badly? She will be the show's first disabled performer (she lost her leg in a motorcycle accident). There are 11 other competitors, but the people I have heard of are: Ian Ziering, Vincent Pastore from The Sopranos, Leeza Gibbons, Joey Fatone of N'Sync, Billy Ray Cyrus, and Laila Ali, Muhammad's boxer daughter. The rest of the people are athletes or pageant queens, so naturally, I've never heard of them.

- Shit. Now I have to start hearing about this annoying ass couple all the time again. Trista and Ryan of The Bachelorette and the only couple that has lasted from that franchise are having a baby. Fantastic.

- Exes Bridget Moynahan and Tom Brady are expecting a child together. The couple broke up in December, and Brady has been dating Giselle Bundchen ever since. Oooh...awkward.

- I have stopped paying attention to all the Anna Nicole Smith hoopla, but the judge says he will reach a decision on what to do with her body on Friday. I hope they have that thing in one hell of a freezer. Gross.

Peace out. Have a good day.