Deep Thoughts: The Complete LIVE! 82nd Academy Awards Coverage

The Oscars are right around the corner. Refresh this page for constant updates and thoughts as the ceremony goes on!


Note: This was a live update as the Oscars happened, initial thoughts as they were happening live. And at the end, I give some final thoughts on this year's ceremony.


All times Central Time


7:28p - 2 minutes!
7:30p - Here we go!
7:31p - NPH! Here's his application to host next year. By the way, that actor/actress nominees made me think of Hitchcock's quote, saying something along the lines that actors are tools.
7:34p - Did I just catch Sarah Jessica Parker look at her watch?
7:34p - Steve and Alec arrive on-stage. I think Martin's dry humor works better. Hope Baldwin doesn't fall short.
7:35p - Oh gee. The two male leads of "It's Complicated" make a joke about Meryl Streep.
7:37p - And a dame/damn confusion joke.
7:38p - Don't show Oprah... don't show Oprah... damn! Tyler Perry. Nice reference Martin made to one of his own better roles.
7:39p - Let the controversy begin. The first marijuana joke. Nice 3D glasses trying to see James Cameron. But this "Avatar" tree angels-whatever. And Sam Worthington = Russell Crowe this year?
7:41p - Nice Nazi joke. Is that possible?
7:42 - Bullock... a little bored already by this opening. Coincidental?
7:43p - Clooney is the new Jack Nicholson, playing along... and getting a script.
7:44p - First award. Supp. Actor. Picked Waltz. Nice to open the award-giving with the one surefire winner.
7:45p - How are they going to keep the show short with these lengthy recaps of each nominee?
7:47p - Short speeches, I suppose. Wasting time.
7:48 - Waltz-ing to Oscars. Ha! Penelope and Oscar--that IS a bingo.
7:49p - A very humble speech by Waltz.
7:50p - Oscars pulling a Golden Globe explanation of each nominee by friends, co-workers, etc.
7:51p - Again... how will this telecast NOT be under 4 hours?
7:52p - Commercial... Nice F'n Ben Affleck reference.
7:55p - Return. Where will this train go??
7:58p - Animated Feature already? Up, another non-surprise win.
8:01p - Miley and Amanda, the belles at the ball. Original Song... One presenter sings pop, the other is known for a movie where no one knows HOW to sing. "Crazy Heart" wins. Another no brainer. But T-Bone doesn't get to thank.
8:07p - This is very un-captivating. The ceremony (so far), not the commercials.
8:11p - "The Academy Awards: Hollywood's biggest night since last night."
8:12p - Tina Fey and RD Jr. Funny so far. Wouldn't mind RDJ guesting on "30 Rock."
8:13p - Original Screenplay. Here's the first unsure award of the night.
8:15p - First of many for "Hurt Locker."
8:17p - This John Hughes memorial should be good. RIP
8:20p - Great montage. nice job with getting Ringwald to appear. Broderick a typical pick for it. And obvious yet good pick for song to close.
8:23p - Wait... Sam Jackson NOT introducing "Basterds?" Commercials now.
8:27p - Back from break. Are they matching presenters by dress styles?
8:29p - Showing all the filmmakers that became big after making an Oscar-winning short film. How many DIDN'T become big? That's a good question...
8:31p - Didn't see any of the short films, by the way.
8:32p - Animated Short Film goes to "Logorama." Looks clever and interesting. Documentary Short Film next.
8:34p - Documentary Short to Music by Prudence. Wait, what the hell just happened? Crazy lady on-stage!
8:36p - Short Film (Live Action) to "The New Tenants."
8:37p - Ben Stiller in "Avatar" mode. Make-Up, my bet.
8:39p - Stiller probably TRULY thinks this was a BAD idea. I do, too. This long-winded crap is what is causing equally hardworking filmmakers not to provide thank-you's.
8:41p - That was bad. Stiller is better than that. See "Tropic Thunder." "Star Trek" takes make-up.
8:43p - Yes! Bridges introducing the Coens' "A Serious Man."
8:44p - Commercial break...
8:50p - Adapted Screenplay to "Precious." This is the first shock of the night. How much you want to bet Supp. Actress will be next...? This is the bridge to other "Precious" win--maybe.
8:52p - Leave it to Martin to break the tension. Too bad he has to reference "Bringing Down the House."
8:53p - Ironic, they show a montage that included Lauren Bacall getting her (only) Oscar. Another bridge to Supp. Actress? Maybe a shock...?
8:55p - Robin Williams looks distinguished. Yeah, I think he wrote that balls joke on his own.
8:56p - Supp. Actress--told ya.
8:58p - Here's a bit of trivia. At one point, Robin Williams was under consideration for the Joker in Burton's "Batman." And who posthumously won last year? Oh great. Mo'Nique. How is SHE getting a standing ovation?
9:00p - Exactly 90-minutes in and the first Oprah mention.
9:01p - "Phat Girlz," "Soul Plane," "Half Past Dead"--how does she get such applause with that resume? Colin Firth introduces "An Education" and then commercials.
9:05p - Back from break. Art Direction to "Avatar." First of the night.
9:09p - Costume Design presented by Tom Ford, fashion designer, and Sarah Jessica Parker--well, Martin got it right: clotheswhore.
9:10p - Would've liked to see "Parnassus" get it. But "Young Victoria" is a period piece. Oscar bait.
9:12p - Charlize introduces "Precious" as nominee. Dumbfounded as you are. Commercials now
9:17p - That sleeping bit makes me want to go to. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz........
9:18p - Wait... how in the flying !@#$ is "Twilight" considered horror? Taylor: horror doesn't get the respect it deserves. That's because you two are presenting.
9:20p - Horror montage with "Leprechaun?" Oh hell yeah.
9:22p - Nice variety of horror picks. Zac Efron and Anna Kendrick to present Sound.
9:24p - "Hurt Locker" takes Sound Editing.
9:26p - Sound Mixing to "Hurt Locker." Will it steal the top awards AND the technical categories from "Avatar?"
9:28p - Shhhhhhhh!! Elizabeth Banks...
9:29p - Okay, NOW Sam Jackson not introducing "Basterds" makes sense. Travolta gets that gig. Like that choice. Commercial...
9:34p - Bullock slam to bring us back from break. She presents Cinematography.
9:36p - ...goes to "Avatar." Not really a surprise.
9:37p - Demi Moore to intro In Memory montage. She presented the Globe posthumously to Ledger last year. James Taylor sings.
9:40p - As always, a reminder of "Forget they died." Not trying to be funny--I forget some of the great people we've lost.
9:45p - Back from advertising time. J.Lo to present Score with Worthington.
9:47p - Dancing... for Score? I got it! "Dancing with the Scores!"
9:49p - Does Bruce Vilanch still write this crap?
9:52p - Score goes to... "Up."
9:55p - Let's all pick up our jaws off the floor. "Avatar"--for Best Visual Effects??!? No way!
9:57p - Jason Bateman introduces "Up In the Air." I should note that all these introductions are clearly without spoiler alerts... which they SHOULD have.
10:03p - Matt Damon presents Documentary to "The Cove." Boycott! Stay on the stage!
10:06p - Tyler Perry better not only be NOT mentioned but also invited to the Oscars. He's presenting Editing. Goes to "Hurt Locker."
10:09p - Keanu Reeves presents "Hurt Locker." Then, commercial. Whoa...
10:12p - Just under 3 hours in, and I am mostly unimpressed. Final grade after the show.
10:14p - Break returns with A&M introducing Tarantino and Pedro Almodóvar present Foreign Language to "The Secret in Their Eyes" from Argentina. Quentin is drunk, I believe.
10:19p - Kathy Bates introduces "Avatar." Commercial, most likely, is next.
10:24p - Best Actor is next. This is a little wacky. NOW they reintroduce the acting award introduction format from last year... NOW?
10:29p - Tim Robbins is funny. Seriously. Nice picks to introduce each nominee, though its inconsistent with the rest of the show.
10:30p - Colin Farrel is equally funny.
10:32p - Jeff Bridges, baby! The Dude abides...
10:37p - Commercial. Yes, he got a full 5 minutes. Don't piss on the Dude's speech. Three more awards left.
10:39p - Back from break. Get ready to slit your wrists if Sandra wins. DAMN! We went over 3 hours without any Oprah...
10:42p - Michael Sheen, who was BETTER than Mirren in "The Queen." Shoot me. I don't care.
10:43p - And there's Oprah's power: save me for last. Oh darn. Meryl gets that, correctly.
10:47p - Tucci, what a talent!
10:48p - Shoot me. Please. No wait. "Blind Side" my head with a sledgehammer.
10:49p - "Did I earn this or did I just wear you down?" Uh.... yeah.
10:53p - Babs to present Director.
10:55p - Kathryn Bigelow. 'Nuff said.
10:59p - All is right with the world. Suck it, Cameron. Suck it long... and suck it hard.
11:05p - Official end to this year's Oscars. I win over Rilio--this year. "Iron Man 2" trailer on Jimmy Kimmel.


My Brief Final Thoughts: The telecast was weak. It felt, ironically, like a movie that feels almost twice as long as its running time. The jokes written for Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin were amusing, overall. A few went above that threshold but nothing noteworthy. The format they introduced the nominees was ridiculous. They wasted time with showcasing each nominees work. True, they should show it, but they cut into the speech time of so many other filmmakers who were either cut off or not even allowed to speak. That fried me. A few surprises ("Precious" for Adapted Screenplay was a shock), but "The Hurt Locker" winning six out of nine nominations was a joy to see.
Final grade for the 82nd Academy Awards: C