Celebritology Archive: Awards Season

Did She or Didn't She? Beyoncé Becomes the Newest Target in Backing Track Debate

Beyoncé and Hugh Jackman onstage at Sunday's Oscars. (Getty Images) Beyoncé, Je t'accuse! Or, rather, THEY t'accuse. A backing track debate has erupted again. This time Beyoncé Knowles stands accused of singing along to a pre-recorded track during the Oscar broadcast's Baz Luhrmann-produced segment in which she -- along with Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Amanda Seyfried and that other guy from "Mamma Mia" -- took viewers along for a medley from big screen musicals of years past. Jennifer Hudson was also outed for singing to a backing track when she sang the national anthem at this year's Super Bowl, but the "scandal" was quickly defused when the show's producer said backing tracks are standard operating procedure for Super Bowl entertainment. Case closed. The trouble with Beyoncé is that, according to scrutinizers, she seems to have been the only one on stage not winging it. Hugh Jackman and...

Oscar's Class Acts

Tom Shales has spoken -- last night's Oscar broadcast was yet another in a long line of duds. But in between the new main show (the red carpet) and the army of awards handed to "Slumdog Millionaire," a few moments of grace stood out. Hugh Jackman & Anne Hathaway We expected a song and dance routine from Jackman who won an Emmy for hosting the 2004 Tony Awards, but the surprise addition of Hathaway -- as Richard Nixon, no less -- to his opening routine elevated it from mundane to magnificently charming. And the girl can sing. Who knew? Video (Hathaway comes in at 2:12) Jackman and Hathaway make beautiful music together. (Reuters) Jennifer Aniston Regular readers of Celebritology know I'm no Aniston fan, but even a cynical hard-hearted snark machine can recognize the courage it takes to get up on-stage and muddle through a shticky scripted dialogue in front...

Celebritology 101: Red Carpet Moments from Hell

It was as if someone had walked into the room carrying a flatulent skunk. In fact, that might have been a relief compared to the uncomfortable silence that ensued last week when, at a pre-inaugural red carpet event, a reporter of unknown provenance asked actress Kerry Washington for her thoughts on Jennifer Hudson's upcoming performance at the Super Bowl vis a vis the brutal murders of Hudson's family. The look on Washington's face telegraphed wonderment (who is this idiot?), fear (is she dangerous?) and split-second analysis (can I slap her?) before she quietly said, "I don't think that's an appropriate topic for me to discuss." You get the picture. Say what you will about Joan Rivers's shock-and-awe interviews of yesteryear, but red carpets these days are lousy with an ever-expanding gaggle of correspondents who all graduated from the same program: about three sessions at the closest tanning salon. On...

Comment Box: Can We Call Mickey Rourke a 'Comeback Kid' Yet?

Mickey Rourke hoists his Golden Globe backstage at last night's awards ceremony in Los Angeles. (Getty Images) Did "The Wrestler" live up to your expectations? Is Mickey on a roll and will it end with redemption or death for everyone's favorite creep? -- from last week's Celebritology Live discussion I'm glad you asked because since seeing "The Wrestler" a couple weeks back I have been evangelizing for Mickey Rourke's triumphant, and long overdue, return to cinematic form. Sure, it would've been nice if he still had that lovable baby face that made him dangerously attractive in early movies like "Rumble Fish" and "Diner," but years of boxing injuries and self-destructive behavior don't seem to have dulled Rourke's acting chops one bit. Don't take my word for it -- last night Rourke beat back competition from Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Frank Langella and Sean Penn to pick up the Golden...

You Name the Best Picture

"Benjamin Button," are you The One? (Merrick Morton/Paramount) While our beloved Liz is away, Jen Chaney -- Liz's partner in "Lost" obsessiveness -- weighs in with a guest post on the most wonderful time of the year. (Hint: It ain't the holidays.) Awards season is here and anyone who keeps track of Hollywood accolades is already -- to borrow a phrase from the timeless anthem "We Built This City" -- knee deep in the hoopla. Critics' groups from around the country have already begun to heap their praise on the year's best cinematic offerings, as has the Hollywood Foreign Press Association with last week's Golden Globe nominations. All of it is, of course, preamble to the Lord God King of Awards Shows, the Oscars, whose nominations will be announced Jan. 22. If you haven't been keeping score, consider the following the equivalent of a Sports Center update on the...

2008 Celebritology Honors: Amy Winehouse Bottoms Out; Britney Bounces Back

The presidential election may be a month off, but Americans -- at least the ones who read Celebritology -- today learn the results of the other hotly contested, umm, contest: The annual Celebritology Honors, aka The Lizzies. A familiar name again dominated this year's awards, while another managed the very tricky operation of moving from Biggest Train Wreck to Biggest Turnaround. And, with four new categories and the first fan art competition, the 2008 winners were bigger and better than ever. Without further ado, the 2008 Lizzie award winners: (Getty Images) Most Admired: Angelina Jolie Something about this humanitarian mom of six keeps her first in our hearts when it comes to warm fuzzy feelings. And despite continued snarkage from some quarters about "kid collecting" and the ever present Aniston loyalists, Jolie's -- who this year gave birth to twins Knox and Vivienne -- do-gooding off-screen work outshined fellow...

Older Entries in This Category »

2008 Lizzies: Let the Voting Begin, Liz , September 29, 2008

2008 Lizzies Fan Art Competition, Liz , September 17, 2008

Red Carpet, Red Faces: Last Night's Biggest Losers, Liz , February 25, 2008

Oscar: The Benefits of Plan B, Jen Chaney , January 18, 2008

2nd Annual Lizzie Awards: Winners, Liz , July 9, 2007

Cast Your Lizzies Votes, Liz , June 20, 2007

Here Come the Lizzies!, Liz , May 31, 2007

Morning Mix: All About Oscar, Nancy Kerr , February 26, 2007

In Praise of Marky Mark, Liz , January 24, 2007

Hollywood's Best Night, Liz , January 16, 2007