He's a Fine Wrestler, Not So Great Texter

At least the liberal actors don't have political aspirations

(NEWSER) - The Best Picture winner is unknown, but one thing is certain on Oscar weekend: “Talk radio hosts and conservative columnists will trot out their annual complaints about Hollywood,” and that whole shtick is getting old. First of all, writes Bill Maher in Variety , “You never see Hollywood begging Washington for a handout, like corn farmers, or the auto industry, or the entire state of Alaska.” Second, and perhaps more important, liberal actors know their place: on screen, not in politics. More»

Actor also skips own post-Oscar bash

(NEWSER) - Madonna’s Oscar-winning ex-hubby couldn’t resist a dig at her 22-year-old current fling, the Sun reports: When the two met at a post-Oscars bash and the Material Girl congratulated Best Actor Sean Penn, he gestured at model Jesus Luz and said, “Another kid already?” And it wasn’t the party celebrating Milk, for which Penn won the award—the New York Post says Penn skipped out on the film’s fete. More»

Funny and un-funny moments abound at ceremony

(NEWSER) - Oscar night was filled with highs and lows, from the predictably inspirational moments when Kate Winslet finally won and Heath Ledger’s family received his posthumous award, to the cheap shot of producers cutting to Angelina Jolie’s face during Jennifer Aniston’s presenter speech. More from the Los Angeles Times. Best:

• Sean Penn opened his acceptance speech by greeting “you Commie, homo-loving sons-of-a-gun.”

(NEWSER) - Miley Cyrus was one of the first to arrive with her mom, in a flower-petaled Zuhair Murad gown. Mickey Rourke showed in a Jean Paul Gautier tux, accessorized with a photo of Loki, the love-of-his-life dog who died last week. For other highlights from the Oscar red carpet click "image." More»

After 10 years, an opportunity to fix mistakes: Lowen Liu

(NEWSER) - Slate wants to fix the Oscars—"Academy Awards ceremonies are laughable, even to those of us who love them," the site declares —so it's asking writers and editors to offer up their proposals in advance of the Feb. 26 ceremony. Lowen Liu's idea : Allow for a re-vote on the major categories 10 years later. That would mean that this year, Academy voters could finally make up for the travesty that occurred when A Beautiful Mind won over such "diverse and dazzling" films as English manners mystery Gosford Park and the theatrical Moulin Rouge! More»