Backstage at the Oscars: 2012

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Here's The Media Guy's journey and perspective backstage at the 84th Academy Awards with eight pictures and about 700 words including interview excerpts and intimate insights. 

Jean Dujardin and Uggie the dog. photo credit: Richard Harbaugh / ©A.M.P.A.S.

BACKSTAGE INTERVIEW EXCERPT

Jean Dujardin, winner of the Oscar for Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role

The Artist

Q. ...with your great success in this silent movie, are you concerned with the effort to make a transition into talkies?

A. In America? I'm not American actor. I'm a French actor, and I continue in France and but it's possible. 

Tom Cruise congratulates Meryl Streep. Todd Wawrychuk / ©A.M.P.A.S.

BACKSTAGE INTERVIEW EXCERPT 

Meryl Streep, winner of the Oscar for Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role

The Iron Lady

Q. In your very moving speech this evening, you mentioned jokingly we might all be sick of you in the future. I hope that doesn't happen, but it seems like you have the beginning of a second project in life with The Women's Museum. Would you talk a little bit about that?

A. Thank you for asking about that. There is no national women's history museum, but there is a lot of history that is not written about the contributions of women in our country and around the world. And I think it would be really, really inspiring for people all around the world to have this fantastic center where you can learn the stuff that hasn't been written about women, because for many, many centuries, history was not interested in us. And yet, and our history is invisible and I think it would be great for boys and girls to go to a place where they could learn about the contributions of their foremothers as well as their forefathers.

Christopher Plummer just after accepting his award. Photo credit: Richard Harbaugh / ©A.M.P.A.S.

BACKSTAGE INTERVIEW EXCERPT

Christopher Plummer, winner of the Oscar for Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role

Beginners

Q. I'm curious how you look back at awards of any kind, specifically, the two nominations and now the first Oscar win. In terms of a measure of a career, because it's, obviously, not the reason you do things, but what kind of dessert topping does it put on a distinguished career?

A. That's absolutely a wonderful phrase. It is a le creme on top, and it's lovely to be sort of accepted, because you know that beyond the pleasure of working in front of a live audience, particularly, it's a general acceptance of your work. So it's thrilling, and I don't pretend not to poo poo awards, although there's so many of them, I can't keep up. I mean, they're inventing a new one every day.

Christian Bale with Octavia Spencer after presenting her the Oscar for Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role. photo credit: Richard Harbaugh / ©A.M.P.A.S.

BACKSTAGE INTERVIEW EXCERPT

Octavia Spencer, winner of the Oscar for Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role

The Help

Q. Can you explain how did they help you to do that or you know what your cast really meant to you when you said your family really meant to you?

A. Well, it's very rare that you have the type of ensemble that we had. You know, you don't get all the Academy Award nominee winners and Cecily Tyson, Mary Steenburgen, Sissy Spacek, Viola Davis coming together to do a project. And then you have the collaboration of Academy Award nominees behind the scenes. We just left our egos at the door and worked together as one beautiful unit from Emma, Viola, Bryce, Allison Janney. I mean, it was an award winning cast. So to be a part of that and to just sort of dissolve into the world that we were representing is something that we're supposed to do as actors but it was rare that we did it without judgment with each other.

Oscar-winner for Best Foreign Language Film of the Year, Asghar Farhadi. Darren Decker / ©A.M.P.A.S.

Hollywood's Power Couple, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, walk backstage. Darren Decker / ©A.M.P.A.S.

Morgan Freeman prepares... Richard Harbaugh / ©A.M.P.A.S.

Brian Grazer and Penelope Cruz. credit: Richard Harbaugh / ©A.M.P.A.S.

OSCARS WEEK 2012: Rubbing Elbows

Melissa Leo opened "Meet the Oscars / credit: Peter Dressel / ©A.M.P.A.S.

Okay, so where am I?

I wandered the plastic-covered red carpet at the Kodak Theatre on Wednesday looking for the story of the day. All of the good stuff was happening in Vanderbilt Hall in Grand Central Terminal New York. There, Oscar fans were the first to see the actual Oscar statuettes that will be presented to the Best Actor and Best Actress winners at this Sunday. The 1987 Best Actor Oscar awarded to Michael Douglas for his Wall Street performance was there as well.

Last year's Best Supporting Actress Melissa Leo cut the ceremonial ribbon as part of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ “Meet the Oscars, Grand Central” exhibition.

A few of my colleagues were there and they said it was a fabulous morning. I could wax poetic all day about New York, Grand Central and walking everywhere you go as I debate here, but then a little birdy dressed in a Los Angeles Sheriff's Department uniform said these magic words:

"Jennifer Aniston is getting her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in forty-five minutes."

Her bodyguard wouldn't let her stop to talk to the Media Guy.

Faster than you can say "Free Starbucks" I was hoofing it to Hollywood and Vine, which at the time seemed like a good idea. However, with the wrong Ferragamos on my feet and thirty pounds of camera equipment in tow, the ten blocks seemed more like a trek through the unpaved roads of Sicily.

When I arrived to the ceremony which was directly across from the Pantages Theater and inform of the W Hotel, it was, needless to say, packed. At least 1,000 people, maybe more. I didn't have a press pass and there was no place to camp out for the best shot.

Call it divine intervention.  Call it The Media Guy Timing. Call it whatever you like, but I lucked out standing in front of the Metro station entrance. This stumbled upon nook-and-cranny-of-space that the security guards left unfettered, would wind up being the catwalk area that hosted the celebs walking from the hotel to the microphones.

I was in the perfect spot to see everyone -- Adam Sandler, Wanderlust co-star Malin Ackerman, John Aniston, Justin Theroux and the star of the day -- walk in.

"Wait a minute...let me get my bearings...where's Michael?" (...a boy can dream)

On this 75-degree, clear Los Angeles day, Aniston became the first of her "Friends" to be awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Her brief 2:10 speech was packed with humbleness and enthusiasm as she mused exclaiming that one of her "wildest dreams" had come true. "I was born in Sherman Oaks, CA. I am a California girl through and through. And I'm sure this has always sort of been in the back of my mind," she said.

As she received the 2,462nd star Walk of Fame, she concluded with, "I am utterly humbled and grateful to all of the fans who have come out today and supported me throughout my career. … I love you!"

credit: TODD WAWRYCHUK / ©A.M.P.A.S.

Oscars Notes

The four Oscar-winning actors from the 83rd Academy Awards – Christian Bale (left), Colin Firth (right), Melissa Leo (right center) and Natalie Portman – will present at the 84th Academy Awards, telecast producers Brian Grazer and Don Mischer announced today.

Meryl Streep, Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis will also present at the awards, while Tony Bennett will perform at the Governors Ball on Oscar® Sunday.

More Walk of Fame Photos

"I'm going to get on all fours, so this could get interesting..." - Jennifer Aniston 

Malin Ackerman was the first celebrity on the scene.

Adam Sandler remarked that he "wore my best shirt for you today..."

"I was born in Sherman Oaks...it was always on my mind to get a star." 

OSCAR WEEK 2012: The Pink and Green Update

Score another round to social media.

photo credit Scott Garfield ©Disney Enterprises

Many of you emailed me pointing to the Twitter campaigns advocating Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy become the host of the 84th Oscars. Billy Crystal was ultimately tabbed to replace Eddie Murphy, but the people were heard as the hyper green frog and his cannibal girlfriend will present onstage next Sunday at the 84th Oscars.

(Sorry about the cannibal comment.)

I'm still a little bitter about Miss Piggy's hawking of Denny's Grand Slam breakfast a few years back. I love pancakes and eggs just as much as the other guy, but I'm not ordering a side of "human" with my morning meal ala Miss Piggy raving about the bacon and sausage that comes with the Denny's classic. Notwithstanding her poor food choices, the Puppet Power Couple will be large and in charge and it should add a lot of fun to the telecast.

In my last Oscars update, I gushed about Angelina being announced as a presenter and the stars kept rolling in this week. Michael Douglas, Tina Fey, Cirque du Soleil® (featuring music contributed by Academy Award-nominated composer Danny Elfman), Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, Bradley Cooper, Emma Stone and Penélope Cruz were all confirmed to appear on the show.

For some reason I was really enthralled about the "Out of Character" exhibition on display in the Academy's Grand Lobby Gallery in Beverly Hills. Douglas Kirkland photographed all 20 of the Best Actor, Actress, Supporting Actor and Supporting Actress nominees in the two weeks since the January 24th nominations announcement and they are nothing short of amazing. If you can't make it in person, you can view them here.

Six days to go to the red carpet...I'm counting down by the hour, not by the day.

Pictured: photographer Douglas Kirkland (left) and Actor in a Leading Role Nominee George Clooney.  credit: Matt Petit/©A.M.P.A.

The Bachelor…ABC Television’s guilty pleasure

I watch it because I wonder if people are really like this or not. I watch it for the single guy who always seems to be falling in love with six women at a time. I watch it for the women who smile and then eviscerate each other at the drop of a bikini top. And, I almost forgot, there’s more drinking going on than at Senor Frog’s on a Saturday night.

Most wouldn't expect this type of beauty from Belize.

So Monday, I sat down to watch in my television salute to Valentine’s Day.

This week’s destination brought the six remaining contestants and Ben to the tropical island of Belize. For those of you who whom I haven’t bored to death with my travel stories, I want to tell you that I love Belize. It’s ingrained into the fingerprint of my heart. I was there last year for the burgeoning Belize Film Festival that showcases pristine beaches and a renewed thirst for tourism. My first real girlfriend was from there and not only was her beauty representative of the people there, but her essence lit up the room when she entered. You’ll find those qualities nearly everywhere you go and everyone you meet.

This episode really pushed the envelope on adventure tourism. Swimming with sharks, jumping from helicopters into the ocean, lobster diving. You name it and it was probably happening. There were snakes. Well, only one snake: the vicious viper Courtney. The model who manipulates the lip-smacking, floppy-haired Bachelor Ben, with her evil web of Machiavellian dating. Summoning the venom that would make any poisonous succubus envious, Courtney makes The Bachelor worth watching despite the water cooler talk from the ladies who say, “I want to kick her in the neck!”

The head viper: Courtney

This week she made out with Ben on top of a Mayan temple while millions of Americans fumed and screamed at the television. Courtney, oh Courtney, you are one evil raptor that stalks the reality show landscape. However, for me that’s not what enraged my spirit. What also enrages me most is why Ben takes credit for all of these dates. His pseudo-humble bragging “I have a great date planned. We are going to take a helicopter to the top of some Mayan ruins that most people can only dream of…” Then the girls gush about how romantic he is and how he really cared to plan the perfect day. I thought maybe I was being jealous of Big Ben, but my text messages from buddies who also indulge in the spectacle of The Bachelor, let me know that he’s sliding by on the merits of his party planning producers.

We all know that he didn’t plan that those sumptuous outings. It was most likely some assistant producer that staked out Belize a year prior that planned these dates. Or perhaps it was some poor marketing schlub who didn’t even get to go there who worked out the logistics one early morning with the representatives from the Belize Tourism Authority. You know marketing guys/girls and football linemen really get the short end of it all. They do the heavy lifting and protect the stars of this world. But, the minute one thing out of 100 goes awry, they take the worst of the abuse. Yet I digress…

"Hey Ben, just stop the madness..."

Shout out to Ben: Stop taking credit for the elaborate romantic dates and let the ladies know it won’t be like this when you have to start picking grapes at your vineyard in harvest season!

…and back to the show…

Next week are the hometown dates, so this week was critical to whom Ben will ultimate choose to be the next Bachelor relationship that breaks up right after the reunion show. For those of you who don’t know what a hometown date is, it’s when Ben gets to meet the families of the Final Four Women. (Note: you don’t meet his family unless you make the Final Two.) Now those hometown dates will cause some serious shrinkage (if you know what I mean), and fast when you go and meet the families might be a tad off [read: weirdos]. It happens all of the time. Remember last season when Brad went to Shawntel N’s hometown and saw her handiwork as the funeral director? He couldn’t get on his ABC-sponsored chartered jet fast enough. Next week is really the apex of the season. Do yourself a favor and don’t miss it.

So for one hour and fifty-five minutes they teased it to the end if Courtney would get the rose or not. But in the end, even after a side conversation in the middle of the rose ceremony, Ben kept Courtney. The sad part was that he sent home the fun-loving, out going, real girl Emily to keep an average-looking mean-spirited model who can’t get along nicely with others.

Next week is really the apex of the season. Do yourself a favor and don’t miss it. Watch it here: Season 16, Episode 7.

Who wouldn't want to make out with the person of their choice  on the top of a Mayan ruin?

Happy post Valentine’s Day. Watch the show here: 

Valentine's Day: A Tongue-in-Cheek Perspective

The St. Valentine's Day Massacre remains the most notorious gangster killing of the Prohibition era, making Al Capone a national celebrity and since then plowing down innocent men who forget the significance that women put on this "greeting card" holiday.

Here's my tongue-in-cheek take on Dia de Amor.

You know what they say about gin, right?

Nothing says, "I love you" like a bouquet of steak flowers.

What's better than some Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting for Valentine's Day? This recipe hit my inbox on Friday [sorry, I don't know whom to credit for the recipe]. 

I have to say they were pretty, pretty good.

Cupcake Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups of sugar

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) of butter, room temperature

• 2 eggs, room temperature

• 2 1/3 cups of cake flour

• 2 tablespoons of Dutch-processed cocoa powder

• 1 teaspoon of baking soda

• 1 teaspoon of baking powder

• 1/2 teaspoon of salt

• 1 cup of buttermilk*

• 1 1/2 tablespoons of red food coloring

• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

• 1 teaspoon of distilled white vinegar

Frosting Ingredients

• 1/2 cup of butter (1 stick), room temperature

• 8 oz of Philly cream cheese (1 package), room temperature

• 2 - 3 cups of powdered sugar

• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

*You can make your own buttermilk by adding a tablespoon of distilled white vinegar to milk and letting it stand for about 10 minutes.

Methodology

The Cupcakes

1 Preheat the oven to 350°F. Beat the butter and sugar in an electric mixer for 3 minutes on medium speed until light and fluffy.

2 Add the eggs, one at a time, beating until each is fully incorporated. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure even mixing.

3 In a large bowl, sift together the cake flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl whisk together the buttermilk, vinegar, vanilla extract, and red food coloring.

4 Add a fourth of the dry ingredients and mix, then add a third of the wet. Continue adding in a dry, wet, dry pattern, ending with the dry ingredients.

5 Scoop into cupcake papers, about 1/2 to 3/4 of the way full. Bake for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Rotate the pan after the first 15 minutes of baking to ensure even baking.

6 Allow to cool for one minute in the pan then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

The Frosting

1 Cream the butter and cream cheese together, about 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl to ensure even mixing.

2 Add the vanilla extract and mix.

3 Add the powdered sugar, continually taste to get to desired sweetness.

Pipe onto cooled cupcakes.

Makes about 2 1/2 dozen cupcakes.

No More Original Recipe

Click image to enlarge

HELLO Ms. Jolie!

Since January 26^th my inbox has been gathering steam from the Academy Awards® telling me who is going to present at the 84^th annual event. 

credit: ©A.M.A.P.S.®

For those of you living in a cave away from anything remotely close to Awards Season, the Oscars will be handed out on Sunday, February 26, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®. And guess what? I’ll be there. Yet I digress…

Since then, here are some of the announced presenters:

01/26/2012 The "Bridesmaids" Cast to Present at 84th Academy Awards®

01/30/2012 Jennifer Lopez to Present…

01/31/2012 Tom Hanks to Present…

02/01/2012 Tom Cruise to Present…

02/02/2012 Halle Berry to Present…

02/03/2012 Cameron Diaz to Present…

…and today’s gem:

02/08/2012 Angelina Jolie to Present at 84th Academy Awards

HELLO Ms. Jolie!

photo credit Bryan Crowe © A.M.P.A.S.

We all know that The Media Guy, has a non-stalkerish affinity towards the lovely 1999 winner for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in "Girl, Interrupted,". She’s everything that Hollywood should be: mysterious, glamorous and charitable, all the while oozing sexiness.

Here’s a big shout-out to the best news release to grace my email all year: “Angie, I have the perfect script for you! Just as tear jerking and poignant as 'In the Land of Blood and Honey’. It's perfect for you –– CALL ME!

Hey, this Oscar-stuff sure is fun. 

Anyway, I digressed further than I wanted right now. I was supposed to expound on my views of the critics who don’t like the new poster touting the event. Critics who always look for the negative get my goat. I suppose controversy sells websites and magazines, but wasting a column criticizing a poster? I’m not so sure.

Personally the "Celebrate the movies in all of us" artwork, created award-winning graphic designer Anthony Goldschmidt, and Mark and Karen Crawford, is just the type of thing I’d hang in my office. Soft, gentle, alluring and featuring Best Picture winners spanning eight decades: "Gone with the Wind" (1939), "Casablanca" (1943), "Giant" (1956), "The Sound of Music" (1965), "The Godfather" (1972), "Driving Miss Daisy" (1989), "Forrest Gump" (1994) and "Gladiator" (2000).

[ooooops, “Giant” didn’t win, but its director, George Stevens, did win for directing.]

As a practitioner of basic advertising LCDs (lowest common denominators), it does exactly what a promo piece is supposed to do. It’s a pretty piece that shows what it is and when the event will happen…absolutely perfect…

Mark Crawford (left), of the design firm Blood&Chocolate, Academy President Tom Sherak (center) and award-winning graphic designer Anthony Goldschmidt at the poster printing. photo credit: Todd Wawrychuk / ©A.M.P.A.S.

The Handler

You have to be both bouncer and caretaker when the client starts drinking after the event.

“Ladies and gentlemen, children of all ages, step right up and see the pretty ladies in their tight dresses who haven’t eaten in a week. Now direct your attention the handsome men in the penguin black and whites with extra shirt starch…”

It’s a big top of a different sort: the Red Carpet that would typically make the Ringling Brothers, and even P.T. Barnum himself, jealous and proud. Like any good traveling show, the red carpet features the meandering erotic creature in need of a stiff crack of the public relations whip.

‘Crack’ snaps the Blackberry and iPhones as the sage trainers tenderly nudge the A-listers towards the Access Hollywood crew and the C-listers towards the Channel 5 Des Moines Iowa news team. Only the experienced media maniacs can handle the demands of escorting media darlings such as Kim Kardashian, Leonardo DiCaprio and Angelina Jolie/Brad Pitt.

Inside the agency, the handler is treated with apathy by the higher-ups. Down in the trenches, the negotiations and positioning begins. For many, it will be one of their highest-profile assignments as they transform into ninja-mode ,blending into the sea of press, fans and peers. Staying invisible is the key, because we know that any good publicist would be razzed mercilessly if they became the story.

Never blow off the walk-through or your credentials are toast.

My first red carpet experience was in 1998, babysitting Brooke Burke and Yasmine Bleeth at consecutive events. I was merely a kid back then. It was the most invigorating time of my life as The Media Guy turned publicist. These ladies were the hot ticket and everyone wanted a piece of them. In front of the cameras, they were a dream. Behind the scenes? Well, that's another story. 

Truth is, that on those burgundy fibers that shine amber under foot, it’s a mosh pit with a wave of stars set to swallow you up as you crowdsurf into the main event. You have to channel your inner gladiator to survive such days, serving simultaneously as dark-attired guide dog and psychiatrist.

Every quality handler, er, publicist, knows three things:

• 1) know every step of the route,
• 2) tonight is not amateur hour, and
• 3) the real work begins at the after party as you urge your clients to avoid making themselves fodder for TMZ.com.

And, point #3 is the subject of another blog. Later. Much later.

The handler (over Meryl Streep's right shoulder with the yellow badge) is ever present, yet invisible. 

Do you see the handler? Good!

The 84th Oscars: APPROVED

Best email of the week:

"Dear Michael, Your request for 84th Oscars Media credentials has been APPROVED."

Three weeks to the Academy Awards. I better dust off my tux and drop those extra ten holiday pounds. Did I mention that they released the new poster? I’ll be blogging about the unnecessary criticism on the design of the poster this week. In the meantime, I am planning to revel in my new credentials while I plan coverage angles…see you on the red carpet.

Cooking with Eli Manning, Faith Hill and Nick Katsoris

As much as I love the Super Bowl, it’s a drag. I mean after stuffing your face with buffalo wings, Dos Equis and tri-tip sandwiches, you have the hit the treadmill non-stop for a week just to get back to normal. Surviving Super Bowl Sunday just got a little more difficult.

(c) 2011 by NK Publications, Inc.

New York attorney Nick Katsoris gathered more than 50 celebrities in his pleasingly illustrated new LOUKOUMI’S CELEBRITY COOKBOOK for children and their families. The second best part – after the food of course – is that Katsoris is donating a minimum of $2 from the sale of each book to Chefs for Humanity and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Click here www.Loukoumi.com to order.

A quick scan reveals a plethora of celebrity cuisine:

Rachael Ray’s French Toast Cups with Fresh Fruit

Oprah Winfrey’s Corn Fritters

Ellen DeGeneres’ Vegan Sliders

Beyoncé’s Easy Guacamole with Corn Chip Scoops

Betty White’s Chicken Wings

Nicole Kidman's Rice Pudding

Mario Lopez’s Chicken Enchiladas

By far, my two favorites are Eli Manning’s Lace Cookies and Faith Hill’s  Coca-Cola Cake. Not to worry, I have the recipes below. Happy cooking!

Eli Manning’s Lace Cookies

"My mom made these cookies for us all the time and they are my favorite. She still makes them every time I make a visit home" – Eli Manning

Ingredients

2 Cups Old Fashioned Rolled Oats

1 Tablespoon Flour

2 Cups White Sugar

½  Teaspoon Salt

2 Sticks Melted Butter

2 Eggs Beaten

1 Teaspoon Vanilla

Instructions:

1. Put the Oats, Flour, Sugar & Salt in to large bowl & mix well.

2. Pour very hot melted butter over mixture & stir until the sugar has melted.

3. Add Eggs & Vanilla - Stir Well.

4. Preheat oven to 325 Degrees.

5. Cover Cookie Sheets with ungreased aluminum foil.

6.  Drop ½ level teaspoons of the mixture on foil - 2 inches apart.

7.  Cook about 10-12 minutes.

8. Watch Carefully – When cookies are completely cooled, foil will peel off.

9. Store in airtight containers.

10. Makes about 6 dozens.

"Y'all should try my lace cookies..."

FAITH HILL’S COCA-COLA CAKE

“I love this Coca-Cola Cake.  It is so rich and decadent…you need to drink a lot of milk with it.” – Faith Hill

2 Cups unsifted flour

2 Cups sugar

2 Sticks butter

2 TBSP. cocoa

1 Cup Coca-Cola

½ Cup buttermilk

1 teas. Baking soda

2 Eggs, beaten

1 TBSP vanilla

1 ½ cups miniature marshmallows

1. Sift flour & sugar in bowl
2. Heat butter, cocoa and coke to boiling point.  Pour over flour/sugar mixture.
3. Add buttermilk, baking soda, eggs, vanilla and marshmallows. (Batter will be thin and marshmallows will float to top)
4. Pour batter into greased and floured 9x13 pan.  Bake @ 350º for 30-35 minutes.  Ice cake while hot

Icing for Coca-Cola Cake

½ Cup butter

3 TBSP cocoa

6 TBSP Coca-Cola

16 oz. confectioners sugar

1. Combine all ingredients & heat to boiling.
2. Pour over cake while hot.

Recipes reprinted by permission from Loukoumi’s Celebrity Cookbook Featuring Favorite Childhood Recipes by Over 50 Celebrities by Nick Katsoris. Copyright (c) 2011 by NK Publications, Inc.