Award Show season kicked off this week with the 36th Annual People's Choice Awards. The People's Choice Awards and upcoming award shows like the Golden Globes are a prelude to the biggest award show of the year - The Academy Awards. While the Academy Awards is the biggest award show, it is also the most boring award show on television. From long acceptance speeches to award categories viewers could care less about, there are several annoying things about the Oscars and many award shows in Hollywood. And the nominees are:

1. Long and unprepared acceptance speeches

If you've seen video ...

With the baseball playoffs in full swing, it's time to take a look at actors who have stepped up to the plate and taken on the challenge of portraying a real-life hardball legend. While there have been many great movies and portrayals about diamond life (Kevin Costner in "Bull Durham" springs to mind), a select few actors have hit the field in fact-based baseball films.

Gary Cooper as Lou Gehrig

In the revered biopic "The Pride of the Yankees," Cooper steps into the shoes of the Yankees icon and deftly handles all the off-the-field developments (diagnosis of ALS, "Luckiest Man Alive"...

Billy Crystal has warned tech-savvy ticket holders of his upcoming comedy show "700 Sundays" to leave their cell phones at home - because he's tired of audience members 'tweeting' while he's onstage.

The 61-year-old actor/comedian is baffled by the sweeping popularity of social networking websites like Twitter.com, where members write up-to-the-minute updates on their thoughts and whereabouts.

The craze has made Crystal anxious to revive the Broadway show on his upcoming U.S. tour because he's convinced rude audiences will pay more attention to their mobile devices than his act.

He...

As one of the highest paid actresses in the world, it is no surprise that Julia Roberts has a long and varied career to admire. She started out as a romantic comedy charmer, and she has done several of them even after her vast popularity, but eventually Roberts moved into more dramatic filmmaking and huge box office hits.

She was the first actress to be on the cover of Vogue, and she is undoubtedly considered one of America's Sweethearts, so much so that she actually starred in a movie of the same name! Beautiful, intelligent, well spoken, and hard working, Roberts has been in a numbe...

Ever wonder what your wife is talking about when she mentions "that scene" from When Harry Met Sally? Or why your female co-workers start giggling when they refer to Bob in cubicle 8 as "Mr. Big"? Do you feel you're missing out on some cornerstone of pop culture, but just can't bring yourself to sit through all those tear-jerkers with a box of Kleenex and a carton of Jamoca Almond Fudge?

Well fear no more, because we've done the couch work for you - with this quick reference guide you'll never again be left scratching your head during a heated Julia Roberts/ Sandra Bullock debate.

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Before we get started on the Mega Oscar Diary, let's go to a few random ramblings from the cadre of pre-shows around the dial:

-Philip Seymour Hoffman's hat probably came with a matching set of fingerless gloves.

-Those who were unable to see the Los Angeles CW affiliate's pre-show missed this exchange.

-The CW's Female Host: What is the role you'd love to do next. If you could do anything following 'The Wrestler' what would it be?

-Mickey Rourke: (Slowly eyes her up from head to toe with a knowing smile and walks off.)

-I know a lot of people care about fashion, ...

Sunday, February 22, 2009, will mark the 81st Annual Academy Awards, but does anyone really care? Last year's telecast was one of the lowest rated in history, pulling in only 31.76 million viewers despite it being the 80th celebration of Oscar. This year producers are trying to reverse the trend. Yet it seems the more they try to fix the ratings slump, the more critics worry that the Oscars are simply out of touch with modern audiences.

It's not just young viewers who have moved on to more enjoyable awards shows like MTV and People's Choice. Academy members over the age of 60, who make...

Barry Manilow has been inducted into New York's legendary Friars Club - following in the footsteps of Frank Sinatra, Billy Crystal and Whoopi Goldberg.

The Copacabana singer, 65, was honored on Saturday by the private club - formerly the Press Agents' Association - which is known for paying mocking tributes, known as 'roasts', to its members. However Manilow, who was recognized for his chart-topping career, admitted he was relieved he had avoided being made fun of by his famous peers.

Accepting the honor, he told the crowd: "Thank you so much for not roasting me. I've been roas...

Julia Roberts and Tom Hanks will be among the A-list stars who will pay tribute to movie legend Paul Newman at a benefit gala for the late actor's California kids camp The Painted Turtle.

Sean Penn, Jack Nicholson, Bruce Willis, Danny DeVito, Warren Beatty, Annette Bening and Billy Crystal will also take the stage at Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco, California on October 27.

The stars will perform a stage reading of "The World of Nick Adams," an adaptation of a number of Ernest Hemingway's autobiographical stories, written by Newman's longtime pal A.E. Hotchner.

(This n...

British comedian Ricky Gervais is hotly tipped to host next year's Academy Awards. Gossips claim new Oscars bosses Laurence Mark and Bill Condon were impressed with The Office creator's laugh-raising stint at Sunday's Emmy Awards, and they want to audition him for the Oscars.

A source tells EW.com, "The buzz around town is that Ricky should host the Oscars."

Previous Oscars hosts have included Whoopi Goldberg, Steve Martin, Jon Stewart and Billy Crystal.

Click the pics for galleries & larger images

New York City has been a focal point of art, music and movies for generations. And why not? It is a city full of life, culture and excitement. Trend setting and worldly, the city that never sleeps has been a big influence in Hollywood. Check out our 10 favorite New York City movies. This is not a list of the top 10 movies filmed in New York but a list films that make the city the leading lady!

10. Sex and The City

Like the HBO series before it, this new blockbuster gives a great deal of its success to the city that made it. This film not only shows all sides to the city but ev...

This month, Woody Allen returned with his best film in years. The mesmerizing love triangle that is "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" takes Allen back to his world of thematic comedies of love that he first cultivated in the mid-70s. It has all the classic Allen touches like his stylized adult dialogue and self-examining humor.

It's a pleasure to see the Woodman operating again at full form after a decade filled with "Scoop", "Hollywood Ending" and films of that nature. This return to brilliance can't help but make a fan re-explore Allen's films of year's past.

When doing so, you're ce...

First dates are always awkward. Between not knowing what to say, fumbling with the check when it arrives at the table, or wondering whether there will be a kiss at the end of the night, these situations are ones people can't wait to overcome. Sometimes first dates can be disastrous from the start, and you hope to God you never see the other person again, that is if you don't die of utter embarrassment right there on the spot.

Hollywood loves to over emphasize situations and showcase things that probably would never happen in real life; at least you hope they'll never happen to you! He...

Throughout cinematic history, there has been a plethora of actors that, for some reason or another, never become a household name. So here is a cheat sheet of sorts, a brief encyclopedia on "That Guy." Part Two: Letters L-Z. If you missed the first installment, you can check it out here.

Stubborn General or Muslim, Harry Lennix

Lennix played Lock, the unbelieving general in Matrix Reloaded and Revolutions. He appeared in short bursts in TV shows such as Diagnosis Murder and ER before a longer stay on Commander in Chief. He played a Moor in Titus and a Muslim in 24. He is currently s...

Tuesday night came and went. Host Ryan Seacrest introduced eight singers and three judges. Each performer chose an inspirational song to sing. As fast as it started, it ended. This week's "American Idol" could not compare to the hype and significance of Wednesday night's success of "American Idol Gives Back."

Why focus on Tuesday night's performances when one of the most popular reality shows dedicated two and half hours to raising money for poverty in the United States and Africa. Celebrities from all parts of the world displayed their compassion and generosity through their part...

Live from New York, it's Saturday Night! These seven words have been shouted from Studio 8H of Rockefeller Center since Lorne Michaels created "Saturday Night Live" in 1975. The original name of the show was simply "Saturday Night" because at the time ABC had a show entitled "Saturday Night Live with Howard Cosell."

Choosing 10 of the show's best cast members is not a task to be taken lightly. We looked at what qualities go into making a perfect cast member as opposed to just picking performers who went on to greater fame after they left the show (though sometimes this happened anyw...

Beloved TV star Suzanne Pleshette was laid to rest alongside late husband Tom Poston in Los Angeles on Wednesday. Billy Crystal and Dick Van Dyke were among the stars at the Hillside Memorial Park funeral, where Frank Sinatra's daughter Tina was among the pallbearers.

The Bob Newhart Show star died of respiratory failure at her home in Los Angeles on Saturday, after a battle with lung cancer. She was 70.

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)

Samuel L. Jackson has been named and shamed at the top of a new online poll to find the Oscars' sorest loser from the last 17 years. The movie star clearly uttered the word "s**t" when he lost out on a Best Supporting Actor prize for Pulp Fiction in 1994, and his foul mouth has earned him the top spot on GoldDerby.com's quirky new list.

He 'beat out' a "devastated" Bill Murray, who was named the runner-up after losing the Best Actor gong to Mystic River's Sean Penn in 2003.

Murray's disappointment was so evident from his facial expression that show host Billy Crystal asked the L...

Funnyman Billy Crystal has denied speculation he is trying to land his own TV show. It has been rumored Crystal was hoping to land a $20 million contract to front his own late-night show and hoped to take over the slot currently occupied by host Conan O'Brien.

A source tells New York Post gossip column PageSix, "Billy was initially set on Conan O'Brien's slot when Conan takes over for Jay Leno on The Tonight Show, but even if that didn't work out he would do something in syndication. He's looking for a five-year contract paying $20 million a year."

But a spokesman for Crystal refu...

Bravo just announced a slate of returning franchises and new series additions, as well as a network first a live finale for "Top Chef 3 Miami." The remaining chef'testants, along with the viewers at home, will await the ultimate decision in real-time from this season's judges' table host Padma Lakshmi, head judge Tom Colicchio, judge Gail Simmons, and "Queer Eye's" culinary expert Ted Allen.

Additionally, Bravo announced plans for a fourth season of "Top Chef," which will shoot in a new culinary hotbed Chicago with casting currently underway.

Building upon the success of the net...

Danny DeVito will be bringing the stars to Miami Beach, Florida later this month when he launches his new restaurant. The pint-sized movie star/director was forced to delay the opening of DeVito's Restaurant back in February and now he's aiming for a red carpet event on June 13th.

DeVito has revamped Ocean Drive's trendy Joia, an old haunt for stars like Madonna and Cameron Diaz, and called it his own. Stars like Kim Basinger, Kelsey Grammer, Forest Whitaker, Ray Liotta, Michael Douglas, Billy Crystal and Tim Roth are expected at the new restaurant's launch.

One item sure to ...

Composer Marc Shaiman claimed the Henry Mancini Award in recognition of his outstanding achievements and contributions to the music of film and television at the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) Film and Television Music Awards last night.

Rob Reiner and Billy Crystal presented the award to Shaiman, while other famous pals like Robin Williams, John Travolta and Queen Latifah recorded video tributes.

Shaiman is the five-time Oscar nominated composer for films like Sleepless in Seattle, Sister Act, The Addams Family and City Slickers.

Past recipi...

Hollywood director/writer Harold Ramis has advised Robert De Niro's future castmates to stand up to the "bullying" actor. Ramis insists the best way to work with the De Niro is to stay confident and resolute - whatever opposition he throws in the way.

He recalls, "(De Niro) tried to intimidate me once, and screamed at me on the phone.

"He wanted to hire an actress for Analyze This who I didn't think was right for the part - Joey Lauren Adams. So Bob calls me after we'd been shooting four days and says, 'You're a f**king lightweight! I've done 35 movies, what the f--k have you done...

Happy Birthday to "Billy Elliot" star Jamie Bell (1986), Hanson keyboardist Taylor Hanson (1983), "American Pie" actor Chris Klein (1979), TV actress Catherine Dent (1965), Minnesota Twins hero Kirby Puckett (1961; d. 2006), "Weekly Top-40" deejay Rick Dees (1950), comedian Billy Crystal (1947), movie director Wolfgang Petersen (1941), prolific screen legend Michael Caine (1933), music producer Quincy Jones (1933), and Nobel Prize-winning physicist Albert Einstein (1879; d. 1955).

Legendary boxer Muhammad Ali was honored by his friend Billy Crystal on his 65th birthday last night. The former heavyweight champion was watching Crystal perform at Arizona State University when the comedian called him up on stage.

Ali was then given a standing ovation for one minute, while Crystal's wife Janice brought out a birthday cake.

Crystal told the crowd, "He's been a truly great friend to me and a great friend to the world. Please join me in singing happy birthday to the greatest senior citizen of all time."

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News...

2006 was a great year in the entertainment world; however, let us not forget those who entertained us for generations but have moved on. We look back on those entertainers and cultural icons who left us in 2006 to pay our respects...

Jazz, R&B and pop singer Lou Rawls, lost a two year fight with brain and lung cancer (1/6). He was 72. Prolific film star of the 50s, 60s and 70s and star of such hits as Alfie and The Poseidon Adventure, Shelley Winters at age 85 (1/14). 60s soul star Wilson Pickett, who brought us such hits as Mustang Sally and In The Midnight Hour age 64; of a heart a...

TV Land counts down "The 100 Greatest TV Quotes & Catchphrases" in a week-long look at the memorable sayings from cartoons, television series, commercials and news programs over the past 60 years like Donald Trump's (The Apprentice) "You're fired" to Billy Crystal's (Saturday Night Live) "You look mahvelous!" to Walter Cronkite's "And that's the way it is."

Building on the success of 2005's "The 100 Most Unexpected TV Moments," "The 100 Greatest TV Quotes & Catchphrases" gives viewers a look inside the origins of some of pop culture's most remembered and repeated catchphrases. The 100...

Oscar-winning actor Jack Palance died yesterday at his home in Montecito, California. He was 87. The City Slickers star died of natural causes and was surrounded by his family when he passed away, according to his spokesperson Dick Guttman.

The star delighted viewers of the 1992 Academy Award ceremony when he accepted his Oscar for best supporting actor by dropping to the stage and performing one-armed push-ups to demonstrate his physical prowess.

Oscar host Billy Crystal turned the moment into a running joke and made increasingly outlandish remarks about Palance's accomplishme...

* Model/actress Elizabeth Hurley is insisting on two wedding ceremonies to celebrate her marriage to tycoon Arun Nayar. The star will have a lavish ceremony in England and another in India, where her fiancé was born. No expense will be spared - Hurley will arrive on a decorated elephant and have 13 different wedding dresses designed and made for her two big days.

* New Bond girl Eva Green has never been a fan of the British superspy movies. The 26-year-old beauty, who plays Russian spy Vesper Lynd in the upcoming Casino Royale opposite Daniel Craig as James Bond, also claims Sean Conne...

Hilary Duff's older sister is heading for the limelight after signing on to star in hit Broadway, New York, musical "Hairspray." Haylie Duff will play make her Broadway debut as bitch Amber Von Tussle next month.

American Idol star Diana DeGarmo will also feature in the latest cast line-up, reprising her role as Penny Pingleton in the theatrical adaptation of John Waters' cult 1988 film musical.

Meanwhile, actress Brittany Snow is reportedly in negotiations to play Von Tussle in the movie remake of Hairspray, which will start filming later this year. That production will star Am...