Live Blogging 2008 Oscars Red Carpet

Well, I'm late to get started on this. Sorry about that!

For reference, all times noted are Eastern Standard Time. Subtract 3 hours for Hollywood time.

7:13 pm - Surprise attendees so far - John Travolta with his wife Kelly Preston; Jennifer Garner (I didn't seen Ben Affleck) and she had Celine Dion's hubby holding an umbrella over her head! Actually, I don't think it was Mr. Dion but rather someone who looked very much like him. Weird.

George Clooney brought a date! His girlfriend of just over a year is on the red carpet with George. Wow. This is huge news. Any bets on whether George is in the marrying frame of mind?
According to E!, Johnny Depp has been acting for 24 years but all his nominations have occurred only during the last 5 years.

Laura Linney and Jennifer Garner together talking with Ryan Seacrest. Just before this, Gary Busey yelled at Ryan, trying to be funny but it sounded threatening. Uh oh, now Busey is insinuating himself into the Linney/Garner interview. He was very creepy. Freaked Jennifer out by kissing her on the neck, despite having no idea who she was. Jen is shaking and not able to continue the interview. Ryan is now desperately trying to get rid of Gary Busey. He promises to talk to him at a party afterward. Gary was very disappointed. I think Gary was on something as he didn't look well and sounded strung out.

Keri Russell, so far, is the most beautiful woman on the red carpet.

Ryan is now joking that Jennifer Garner is never doing the red carpet again because Gary Busey freaked her out so badly.

Oh God. Miley Cyrus. Okay, I'm all for kids achieving success and living as fully as they can. But this girl is beyond my understanding. She is not the most attractive person and has the voice of a 40 year old smoker. I don't get the fascination with her.

P. Diddy is there. Black tuxedo. He's behaving. I saw James McAvoy earlier with Ann Marie Duff. Not much to say about those two. Helen Mirren is there with a killer red dress on. Oddly enough, the girl guiding Helen looks very much like a teenage Angelina Jolie.

Ryan again going on about Busey attacking he and Jen Garner. Ryan and Jen did look terrified, or at least very nervous. Gary wasn't really attacking them, he was just very loud and pushing his way in to get interviewed.

Jennifer Garner looks okay from the neck up. Although, I'm giving her the Zellweger Award for the night. The pinched face, squinty eye look isn't working for her. The dress is black and ruffley and feathery.....odd design.

7:30 pm - Keri Russell is still flawless. She's there with her husband Shane. Marion Cotilliard looks beautiful; Cameron Diaz looks about the same as she always does.

Wait. Helen Mirren's dress....it is red. But it has a white capelet sewn on top. The dress isn't original or spectacular but it was pretty enough. Simple lines, strapless, flared skirt. But that capelet has got to go. Ah hell, it's Helen Mirren. She can wear whatever she wants.

Jessica Alba is wearing purple strapless with feather trim (??) on top. It's cute. She's very pregnant but does not appear to have gained much in terms of extra weight. Big engagement ring, which looks surprisingly like everyone else's in Hollywood.

Most of the women are wearing strapless or halter style dresses. Except Tilda Swinton. Wanting to make her own statement, she's thrown some fabric across her body in toga fashion and pinned it together. It's black at least. And I give her credit for cutting out holes for her neck/head and arms. No strapless which is odd because that would have been easier than a full top!

Hilary Swank is wearing a diagonal one strap dress in black with feathers and lace on top or something. Oh, it's sheer and flowy and again, the long tail. She always goes for the long tail. Is she trying to tell us something?

Good heavens, E! has Kimora Lee Simmons doing fashion commentary. Whose idea was that?

Okay, Cameron Diaz's dress looks like it's not finished. Still too much fabric and folds. A bit like it could be the glamour costume in Michael Jackson's Thriller video.

Javier Bardem looks the same as he has at all the other recent award shows, except he apparently cut his hair. Just a trim; nothing to cry about. It looks better and less Hair Model of 2008. Honestly, his hair was giving his acting work too much competition. Best to trim that attitude before it gets out of hand!

Colin Farrell! No haircut but at least his hair is clean and styled. Black suit, no tuxedo bow, just simple black tie. Very nice suit.

Ah, we have an answer for Tilda Swinton's lack of fashion sense at the red carpet. She's never been to an awards show and has NEVER even seen the Oscars on tv! No wonder the woman isn't wearing eye shadow or mascara. She probably thought this was like going to a cocktail party; she'd put in a bit of an appearance and then skip out so she could change into sweats at home. I actually like Tilda just fine. I just don't understand why she didn't appear to even try to look presentable or even different from her everyday look. Now I get it. Gotta give her credit. I bet even if the Queen was there, Tilda wouldn't care. Next year I bet Tilda shows up in pants and skips the dress completely.

VIGGO MORTENSEN!!! Holy .... he hasn't shaved (wahhhh) but he's dressed in a fabulous suit. A red rose pinned to his lapel. Awesome. Ryan not interested in Viggo so much, which echoes the rest of the world apparently. David Cronenberg, the director of Eastern Promises, wanted to attend with Viggo but he had a death in the family. Viggo instead brought his niece with him. She's very pretty and very articulate for such a young age.

Ellen Page is dressed simply and I just know everyone is going to pounce on her. But she's a very young girl. I'd rather look like her than try to dress like I'm 30 (which is what Miley Cyrus did tonight). Ellen is in simple black with a necklace that looks like it could have been bought at a dime or antique store. She looks like a very nice girl, nervous about dressing up for the first time. You go Ellen!

Colin Farrell, btw, brought his Mom. I thought Viggo was bringing his Mom but I know he did take her to the BAFTA's.

Oh God, Katherine Heigl, no class in a red dress and trying desperately to be the new Marilyn Monroe. The hair, the dress, everything screams "trying too hard". For someone with such an obnoxious personality, she managed to match her look surprisingly well. It looks as offensive as she is. Awesome! Way to show your talent Heigl.

Well, Renee Zellweger IS there! Have to give her the award she owns. Although, Jen Garner was seriously giving her a run for her money. That pinched face look is on the verge of an epidemic apparently.

Heidi Klum is there, Anne Hathaway, Miley Cyrus, and the Hindenberg ...oh, I mean Heigl....all in red dresses.

Catching up a bit, Viggo's suit is normal black with a black tie which has a bit of a stripe in it. He looks very elegant, although I do think his beard could have done with a trim. He's said this whole thing makes him very nervous so I don't blame him for sporting the scruff.

Spotted but nothing much to say so far...Johnny Depp, Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart, Patrick Dempsey and his wife, Casey Affleck (a bit rude/pompous) and his wife, Jennifer Hudson, Amy Adams. There's a very weird mix happening on the red carpet. Stars we haven't seen in years are there. And they've got tv stars there along with the movie stars. I think Hollywood might be imploding.

Daniel Day Lewis and his wife. Both dressed weird. I hate to say it but I think they both win Worst Dressed for the night. Still, he's so talented, he gets the same pass as Viggo. Daniel can do whatever he wants. Same goes for Johnny Depp, who incidentally, looks the same as he normally does, just cleaned up a bit more.

It's surprising to see most of the women have done next to nothing special with their hair. Some are lacking the help of product which, to be honest, they could have used.

Regis Philbin is working the red carpet near the entrance. Wow. Wonder how he got that gig! George Clooney invited him to his villa in Italy. Cool.

Steve Carrell is there with his wife. He's his typical self. He's getting on my nerves. The more success he has, the more arrogant he gets. Not a fan of Steve. He could take a lesson from Jon Stewart I think.

Ellen Page just turned 21. She looks cute. Hilary Swank being interviewed again, wearing a Versace black dress.

Regis is backstage talking to what looks like 100 people in various costumes waiting to perform some big dance number. Dance number? At the Oscars? Can't wait to see this. There's Bavarians, senior citizens, wedding dresses....odd mix.

Well, the show is about to start and the theatre is full. Time to start the show! That means, new post. I know you're grateful. I'll break up the live show into a few posts at least. I'm a little worn out this evening but hopefully this is doing the show justice. Hope to find my wit and greater interest with the start of the show.