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Oscar exhibits, mystery presenters hit town

Joan Rivers thinks keeping the presenters secret is a good idea and producers might agree since some of them are apparently backing out.
/ Source: The Associated Press

With the Oscars just days away, Hollywood is packed with parties, gift suites and a stream of movie stars bound for the Kodak Theatre.

Winning exhibitMovie fans can get a taste of awards-season movie magic at the Hollywood Museum’s just-opened “And the Winner Is...” exhibit. Check out Meryl Streep’s nun’s habit from “Doubt,” Kate Winslet’s gray dress from “The Reader” and Mickey Rourke’s fighting outfit from “The Wrestler.”

Memorabilia from past Oscar contenders and winners is also displayed, including Hannibal Lector’s mask from “Silence of the Lambs” and Sylvester Stallone’s boxing gloves from “Rocky.”

“And the Winner Is...” will be on view until March 29.

Calling them off the carpetAt least one person believes the secrecy surrounding this year’s Oscar presenters — including keeping them off the red carpet — is a wise idea.

“You want to see who are they wearing and what are they wearing,” said veteran red carpet maven Joan Rivers. “And, if you’re doing that on the red carpet, you don’t necessarily have to tune into the show.”

Rivers says pre-show arrivals telecasts — like the ones she used to host — helped erode ratings for the Academy Awards.

“Of course, we took away,” she said. “There’s no question that these took away. I’m just surprised it took them that long to figure it out.”

Rookie Oscar producers Laurence Mark and Bill Condon have promised sweeping changes to the Academy Awards, and have been careful to keep many details under wraps.

Mysterious exitsAnonymity has its perks — especially for celebrity Oscar presenters who might need to wriggle out of the gig.

At least some of the presenters who’d been lined up for Sunday’s Academy Awards show have backed out, said Bruce Vilanch, who is at work writing the revamped telecast.

Rookie Oscars producers Laurence Mark and Bill Condon have promised sweeping changes. But they’ve also been careful to keep many details under wraps — in particular the identity of presenters, many of whom won’t be seen on the red carpet.

Celebrity presenters have been a large part of the show’s pre-publicity campaign in the past, but Vilanch says that because they’ve been kept anonymous, there’s no disincentive for them to back out — and some have.