"The Boys in the Band," Billy Friedkin's 1970 show-stopping film of Mart Crowley's play -- with its legit cast -- is being readied for a hand-tooled DVD by Friedkin. He says he's been working "on every frame" and will also be heard on the DVD, which will include interviews with some of the cast members as well. They include Larry Luckinbill, Peter White, Crowley and producer Dominick Dunne. Friedkin is also readying the release of the DVD version of his 1968 comedy "The Night They Raided Minsky's" which was produced and co-written by Norman Lear. "If it weren't for DVD," says Friedkin, "some films would disappear," never to be seen again.

Dunne reveals of "The Boys in the Band" -- "That's how Billy and I became friends. I'm happy to do interviews for the DVD." Dunne is now "3/4 done" on his novel, "A Solo Act," which contains some characters from his "People Like Us." And he's not taking any more assignments until it's completed, though he does have one remaining column on the Princess Diana inquest for Vanity Fair.

Returning to his love of opera, Friedkin will be directing Puccini's "Suor Angelica" and "Il Tavarro." On The same program, Woody Allen directs Puccini's "Gianni Schicchi," which Friedkin has helmed in the past. They open the L.A. Opera season Sept. 6. It has also been a busy week for Sherry Lansing, who just returned from San Francisco where she worked with the California Institution of Regenerative Medicine to distribute some California voter-approved funds for stem cell research. She happily reminds that $200 million has already been assigned for research programs.

The sun is again shining on "The Sunshine Boys." The cast is now complete with Allan Miller to play "Al" in Neil Simon's play, bowing April 5 at the Odyssey with Jeff Hayden directing.  Miller joins Hal Linden, star of the hit "Barney Miller" series, who will be playing "Willy." Also joining the "Boys" is  Eddie Kohler as the young nephew "Ben."

Meanwhile on Broadway today, the first reading was held for the revival of Clifford Odets' "Country Girl," bowing April 27 at the Jacobs theatre. Mike Nichols directs the cast headed by Morgan Freeman, Frances McDormand and Peter Gallagher. The 1954 movie starred Bing Crosby, Wiliam Holden, and Grace Kelly, who won the Oscar for Best Actress over Dorothy Dandrige in "Carmen Jones," Judy Garland in "A Star Is Born," Audrey Hepburn in "Sabrina" and Jane Wyman in "Magnificent Obsession." Bing was a nominee for Actor, but he was beaten out by Marlon Brando in "On The Waterfront." Also nominated that year for Actor were Humprey Bogart in "The Caine Mutiny," James Mason in "A Star Is Born," and Dan O'Herlihy  in "Adventures of Robinson Crusoe."  And Best Picture nominee "Country Girl" lost out to -- "On The Waterfront," as did "The Caine Mutiny," "Seven Brides For Seven Brothers," and "Three Coins in The Fountain."  Ah, those were Oscars!   

"Please blame me," Louis J. Horvitz, director of the 80th Academy Awards show, told me as he was boarding a plane to vacation in Acapulco. Horvitz has directed 12 Oscar shows and won four Emmys, plus many other accolades throughout his career.  He says of this one, "it was a really good show for me," singling out moments like Forest Whitaker supporting Marion Cotillard into the wings after she won for Best Actress, and Diablo Cody's emotional acceptance of her "Juno" original screenplay award.

But Horvitz says he  is truly sorry for having played off  Best Original Song winners Glen Hansard  and Marketa Irglova when they were still gratefully accepting their win (for "Once"'s "Falling Slowly"). "I thought Glen was speaking for both and when he said 'thank you' and Marketa started to walk off, too. That's when I gave the music cue to start. I felt really badly -- she is Czechoslovakian and barely speaks English, and was having difficulty getting the words together when she started to walk into the wings. I turned to Gil (Cates in the production truck), we got word to Jon Stewart, and I'm happy we were able to get her back.  You have to remember -- this is 'live' television.  But please blame me."

Horvitz's direction of "live" award shows continues with the Academy of Country Music Awards at the MGM in Las Vegas on May 18, followed by the AFI's Lifetime Achievment Award to Warren Beatty on June 12, back at the Kodak Theater. 

Academy Committee Members were back at the BevHills/ Wilshire Blvd. headquarters today as part of the Academy's Selection Screening Committee, headed by David Chasman, who once headed UA and has a long list of producing credits including his daughter Julia, who carries on his film producing tradition. Members who attended today's lunch meeting to discuss and select the films for April screening included France Nuyen, Nina Foch, Robert Clary and Carl Reiner. Chasman tells me the Acad, which screens films on Saturdays and Sundays, has agreed to launch the program March 9 with "The Spiderwick Chronicles," followed by director David Gordon Green's "Snow Angels," which stars Kate Beckinsale and Sam Rockwell. Daily Variety's Justin Chang reviewed the film at Sundance last year. Chasman said the committee decides which (submitted) films would serve the best interests of the Academy's members. Some, of course, are obvious -- and the committee is well-aware of the push toward the end of the year.

His Other Hat

William Shatner, the womanizing, sex-driven Denny Crane of "Boston Legal," dons his real life, kids-loving hat again. Shatner heads his annual Hollywood Horse Show on April 26 at the L.A. Equestrian Center in Burbank. It benefits "Ahead with Horses & Camp Max Strauss." This is one of several events which Shatner sponsors (and supports) for children's charities. And he doesn't just show up. However, that's all he'll have to do on March 28 at the Beverly Hilton where the Starlight Foundation will honor him and wife Elizabeth with their Heart of Gold Award.

More congrats: Happy Birthday to Joanne Woodward and Elizabeth Taylor.

Quite simply -- the show wasn't "Hollywood." And that's what movie goers had expected from the 80 years of movies and movie stars. They didn't find them to cheer -- on televsion as well as in the Kodak theater.

But still Oscars is a magic word and it was seen in 150 countries, an exhausted Gil Cates told me Monday. He had worked steadily through the DGA and SAG negotiations -- developed two possible Oscar shows -- and held his breath on the weather. The forte of the show was its reminiscences of 79 winning flims and their winning actors. These packages had to be prepared for four more minutes than those which finally hit the air Sunday night. 

The bright "live" star on hand was, thankfully, Jack Nicholson. He was to have been busy on a further "Bucket List" trek when Cates called him. "I didn't think I could be on the show," he admitted, adding, " but I love movies." And even though he was poised to leave his seat and go backstage for his seg, he remained when Jon Stewart (who had 12 of his writers standing by) asked him to remain in his seat for a "reaction shot" when making remarks about the expectant ladies in the audience. "I'm a good sport -- and I do love movies," laughed Jack -- whose "date" at the show was a staffer. "I enjoyed sitting there -- near Javier Barden and his mother and the Texas delegation." And he said he was happy to see Mickey Rooney there. Jack also noted he enjoys being at the Oscars as a nominee "and winning is easier," he happily admitted. Sunday night, he did not stay to attend the Board of Governors Ball...

Other Academy night observations: the depressing Oscars program -- its grey cover showing a totally empty movie theater. And a cheery George Clooney's shifting attentions from Oscars to the upcoming SAG contract negotiations and the need to mobilize efforts to effect solutions -- early.

Ratings, shmatings -- the Oscars are (were) seen everywhere -- in as many as 200 countries. Example: Today at 1 p.m., in Sofia, Bulgaria on the "Direct Contact" set, star Dolph Lundgren told me he was watching a repeat Oscar viewing, having caught the first airing at 11 p.m. their local time -- Sunday -- unfortunately in Bulgarian, he reported. Watching the proceedings was the film crew, English, South African, U.S, and Bulgarian. He had just completed a scene in whch he was "beaten" by guards. "But I get back at them tomorrow," Lundgren laughed. This is his fourth film in Bulgaria and he's readying to direct-star in another, "Command Performance" with exteriors in Moscow. "It's 'Die Hard' in a rock concert," he says. Lundgren plays the band's drummer.

Ill and Injured: Art Linkletter suffered a "mild stroke." I spoke with him on the phone and he'd be ok "inside of a month." He always has speaking engagements lined up...  Carole Bayer Sager is recouping at home following knee surgery at Cedars-Sinai. Husband Bob Daly reports she is A-OK... After knee surgery at St.John's, Fred Hayman is now home. 

Super movie lover Jack Nicholson is the perfect performer for the 80th Oscars show. He will introduce -- "live" -- the segment tribute to the 80 Best Picture Winners. "I just called him and he said 'yes'," says producer Gil Cates. The 80 film segment is produced by Mike Shapiro, who worked with Nicholson when he directed/starred in "The Two Jakes." Nicholson won three Oscars, was nominated for an additional nine...  The  Academy's President, Sid Ganis, promises me that Cates has a few more surprises for the show and he himself will be cast in a light-hearted segment introducing the de rigeur segment "starring" the PriceWaterhouseCooper accountants who hold the winners' envelopes. Ganis is again high on host Jon Stewart -- and no holds barred. Ganis is well-aware of Stewart's talents -- not only because of last year's Oscar outing.  Their relationship dates back 10 years to "Big Daddy," which Ganis produced and in which Stewart appeared as star Adam Sandler's buddy... Jerry Seinfeld, who shuns "live" Oscar appearances, will however, again be seen on tape. He is away working his first love--stand-up. this weekend in Florida. 

I sat with Craft's Tom Colicchio, restaurateur of Century City, N.Y., Las Vegas at Spago with Judith Light ("Ugly Betty") and husband Robert Desiderio at the Food & Wine celebration at which Wolfgang Puck outdid -- even himself -- for the press' most-particular palates. The Century City Craft was to have been the site for the (canceled) Vanity Fair Oscar party. While it is open to the general public Sunday night, Disney will host an Oscar party there for about 40. As for Morton's, Pam Morton tells me she is actively searching a new site.

Happy Birthday

Friday, press agent Julian Myers celebrates his 90th birthday -- by beginning a  90-mile run from San Diego to L.A. With stops en route, he'll finish in time to compete in the L.A. Marathon's 5k race March 2. And he'll also take time off Sunday to attend the Oscars -- he's been an Academy member for 59 years. So far, he's raced in 25 marathons, many to publicize Amigo Day.

Some "Sunshine"

Re-casting is on for "The Sunshine Boys" to bow at the Odyssey Theater April 12.  Dick Benjamin and George Segal departed following the first day's rehearsal after a difference of opionin with director Jeff Hayden. Now set to play the role of "Willie" is Hal Linden. In the film version, Walter Matthau played the part opposite George Burns, who was "Ben." Sam Levene and Jack Albertson starred on Bradway. Also now set is Eddie Kehler as "Ben," "Wilie's" nephew.    

You won't get wet arriving at the Academy Awards on Sunday. I've worked the Oscars in the rain and I know it's no fun -- and so does Bruce Davis, who has been at the helm of the Academy for 27 years. He tells me "a team of runners" (with umbrellas) will meet the arrivees and escort theatergoers to the security tent (which will hopefully move ticketholders rapidly) before leading them to the red carpet which will be covered -- as it has been at past rain-threatened Oscar ceremonies. Sometimes, last-hour weather clearance made the (expensive) on-off see-through coverage unnecessary. But what about the open areas leading up to the Board of Governors' Ball? That too will have overhead protection for the now-expanded number (1500) of attendees. Davis reminds that when a change of Oscar date was originally proposed, it was known there is a possibility of six times more rain in February than the previous March date -- but when all things were considered, February won out. Meanwhile, the Academy's "weather guru" is predicting only "horizontal rain" in the a.m. and a clear afternoon. With that settled, let's get ready for the show, whose presenters have formidably come to the fore. Davis compliments Oscar show stalwart, Danette Herman, on the casting achievement.

While Hollywood Blvd. was partially shut down to ready for Sunday's 80th Oscars, Beverly Hills was wide open, starting Monday for nominees' stylists and publicists -- and nominees themselves -- prepping, primping, and toasting the nominations -- and hoped-for wins for their clients.

On Rodeo Drive, nominees, male and female, were readying to check fittings at Armani, while jewelers like Harry Winston and Bulgari were opening vaults of their finest. In the penthouse suite of the Luxe Hotel, Roger Neal and wife Lynn and their  SHM (Style Hollywood Magazine) partner Anita Talbert were overseeing (distributing?) their clients' wares to Oscar show participants.

Angela Bassett was among Monday's arrivals and she was seen trying an Oxygen facial. Also there, Alison Janney and Amy Ryan of "Gone Baby Gone" and Garret Dillahunt of "No Country For Old Men." On display were diamonds (valued up to $400,000) by Natalie K., Rafi and Kari Ellison and "Bling For Humanity," and handbags by Mary Frances and Lily Field Cakes

All the clients promised charitable contributions from future sales to go to the WGA Foundation fund. A 1,000 Jelly Belly portrait of nominee George Clooney will be auctioned and the proceeds donated to Clooney'd favorie charity. Also, the Turtle B miniature wireless phone.

Tonight, chef Kurt Ehrlich of Celebrity Gourmet Catering designed the dinner for the group. And also tonight, Food & Wine   kicked off Oscar Week at Spago with the menu prepared by its 1998 "Best New Chef" Lee Hefter. Wolfgang Puck again prepares the special menu for the supper at the Academy's Board of Governors' Ball which follows the Oscar Awards.

P.S. -- Over the past years, I've also seen (eaten) hors d'oeuvres passed out by Wolfgang to starving ink-stained wretches, working for hours along the red carpet.      

After a year-long celebration of his 80th birthday in which he was multi-honored -- but continued non-stop working -- Tony Bennett tells me he's now going to take "a couple of months off from music -- and just paint. But,"he laughingly added, "I hope when I'm 100, I'll still be performing -- but only if I sing well. If I start to warble, I'll just paint!" 

He's completing a painting depicting Times Square in the rain and donating it to The Zimmer Children's Museum on L.A'.s "Museum Row" on Wilshire Blvd. The painting will be auctioned at a gala on May 7th to benefit the museum's "youThink" arts education program. "My daughters used to love to go there." Bennett recalls. Arts Education is a cause close to Tony's heart and he and his wife Susan established Exploring the Arts which funds and supports arts education in public schools.

And talking of 80th birthdays, Larry Gelbart (his is on Feb. 25) is completing his newest play, "Better Late," written with Craig Wright (creator of ABC's "Dirty, Sexy Money"). A snow storm delayed Gelbart's flight to Chicago and rehearsals in preparation for the cast's first reading, March 4, readying for its April 9 bow in Skokie's Northlight Theater. John Mahoney and Mike Nussbaum are so far set for the comedy which is hopefully bound for a B'way welcome.

Joan Rivers, here with daughter Melissa and grandson Cooper, had more than milk to celebrate with Wednesday night at the Geffen Theater in Westwood -- where Gil Cates arrived from his other office -- at the 80th Academy Awards show in the Kodak theater.

Rivers' show, which usually runs about 110 minutes, went well over two hours -- due to the lengthy, repeated applause. She signed autographs in the Geffen lobby party after the show and the celebration continued at Oceans in Santa Monica.

Read Variety's review of the show here.

Oscar show director (and past Emmy winner) Louis J. Horvitz took time away from his Kodak offices today and headed to the Shrine. He was a nominee for the Image Awards' Variety Program -- "An Evening of Stars: A Tribute to Aretha Franklin." (He won last year for his tribute to Stevie Wonder). Horvitz was on hand for the Awards with Dr. Michael Lomax, president and CEO of the United Negro College Fund.

Horvitz, who has long trained his award show cameras on awaiting nominees, told me, "I know what it's like to be in the audience! I'm a seasoned veteran of award shows."

He is, of course, relieved that the end of the strike allows the Oscar show to go forward, but he acknowledged the writers have to move forward quickly. While a list of presenters was announced at today's meeting by Sid Ganis and Gil Cates, Horwitz noted the writers still have "TBA" (to be announced) pages still on their scripts. And while some of the prepared film packages in the contingency (strike-bound) segments of the show may be jettisoned, Horvitz assured us the show will be "a great representation of 80 years of Oscar."

The foyer of the Kodak Theater opened this afternoon to welcome 150 members of the producing team of the 80th Oscars. After Gil Cates welcomed all, Roy Christopher showed a mockup of his grand anniversary set and also projected images which previewed the many moves the team will maneuver during the three-and-a-half ceremony. Director Louis J. Horvitz will use approximately 24 cameras boasting the latest technical show capabilities. Michael Seligman followed with the production sked. 

The strike-bound writers -- who will arrive Tuesday -- are Buz Kohan (it's his 20th Oscar show), longtime Jay Leno and Oscar writer Jon Macks, Hal Kanter and Bruce Vilanch, who is coming from Las Vegas where he's working with Bette Midler on her Feb. 20 bow at Caesars. Jon Stewart's platoon of writers are due to arrive Saturday.

The Academy Awards' Original Song category will boast no single star for the nominees' presentation. And three of the five are from Disney's "Enchanted" and songwriters Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz. With a return to the hoped-for, strike-free show format, several planned film packages -- looking back at 80 proud years of comedy and drama, etc. -- may now be edited. But I'm assured there will be no political issues. "It will be an evening of celebration." I'll drink to that.

On Sunday night's Grammys show, Tony Bennett and Natalie Cole announced Doris Day was a recipient of the Recording Academy's Lifetime Achievment Award. And while Doris was not present Sunday to witness the two presenters and hear Tony's complimentary remarks about some of her great evergreens, nor was she on hand Saturday at the Wilshire Ebell for the formal presentation of (all) the honorary  awards, however she did send this letter (from her Carmel home) addressed to Neil Portnow and the Academy's Board of Trustees:

"I was delighted and surprised to hear that the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences has voted for me to receive the Academy's Lifetime Achievement Award. My life has been devoted to music and I appplaud the work of the Recording Academy, the creativity and talent of your members. the charity projects NARAS heads, and all  you do to preserve and expose music to the world. I am sorry that I cannot attend the ceremony or the Granmmys in person. My heart will be there with you and the music industry and I will be watching on television, of course.  I am proud to be among  this year's recipients and salute my fellow inductees. I have been blessed to work  with some of the most wonderful and talented people in music and I want to share this wonderful honor with all of those with whom I worked. Again, thank you, with love, Doris Day."

Meanwhile, today, Doris received a letter from the Motion Picture and Television Fund illustrating three more case histories of how The Doris Day Animal Foundation Fund helps  the MPTF's Elder Connection Program's Pet Care Program. "It makes a significant difference in the lives of our clients, said the MPTF." These recent resident recipients were able to continue caring for their companions -- their pets -- thanks to Doris Day's Animal Foundation.         

"It's one of the best evenings of the year," Dick Van Dyke enthusiastically volunteers. Thus, he'll be a part of it again this year. It's "A Night At Sardi's," the annual all-star cabaret version of the B’way musical, which takes to the stage of the Beverly Hilton on March 5. This year "Bye Bye Birdie" will take wing again and the Alzheimer Association will benefit, as it has in the past bringing in $16 million to date. Van Dyke, who starred in the original1960 B’way version (607 performances) and the feature version, will team with “Birdie's" composer Charles Strauss on piano on "Put on a Happy Face." Strauss is 79 and Van Dyke who is 82 tells me he'll also dance a number. He's pleased the WGA strike is soon ending. "I don't like sitting around," says the ever-busy Van Dyke.   

The "Night at Sardi's" is the   brainchild of Laurie Burrows Grad whose multi-talented father Abe Burrows died of Alzheimer's. She co-chairs the event with husband Peter Grad.  Susan Dietz produces the show and Jason Alexander directs. He costarred in the TV version with Vanessa Williams and both will perform in the show as will 28 other stars from TV series and features. (Several have parents who have Alzheimer's). Candice Bergen and John Larroquette will present the Abe Burrows Entertainment award to David E. Kelley for his "Boston Legal" series (my favorite) which consistently portrayed victims of Alzheimer's. And, 13 year-old Lindsay Jordan will receive the Caregiver Award for the care she has given her father -- since his diagnosis when she was 8 -- illustrating that Alzheimer patients are not necessarily senior citizens. The group shockingly reminds that "Alzheimer's is one of the top 10 causes of death in

L.A.

Oscar show producer Gil Cates was on his way to his Oscar office in the Kodak theater today (Sunday) when we caught up with him. He was going to renew looking at the challenging board of Oscar's categories, nominees and the already-set presenters. He says their already-set names will start to be announced Friday. Cates reminded, "We have an understanding they do not have to appear-if the strike were not settled." But he is, as is everyone--confident the strike will be settled, "And that I only have one show to do--and I can't wait to do it." 

Saturday night, Cates took on the role of television director at the Academy's presentation of the 13 Scientific and Technical awards. He recorded with three cameras for an edited presentation to be shown Oscar night. The Oscar show's director, Louis J. Horvitz, switched roles with Cates Saturday and produced this Oscar show seg for Gil. "I really enjoyed doing it," Cates admitted to me... Jessica Alba hosted and introduced the award winners and their (highly-technical) accomplishments. Launching these awards, the Academy's President Sid Ganis happily noted, "We're almost there"-- at that same moment the WGA members were voting at the Shrine. Ganis volunteered, "We (the Academy) wrote our own stuff here tonight." Among those on hand for the elegant dinner was the Acad's Bruce Davis and past president Walter Mirisch. His book, "I thought We Were Making Movies, Not History" (University of Wisconsin Press) will be on book stalls next month. It is a must-read for a firsthand account of the life and times--and movies--of Walter Mirisch and the Mirisch family.

Urban Light by Chris Burden

It's not called the "Miracle Mile" for nothing. After decades of glamor followed by equal years of depressing schlock shops, the street beams again with the bow of the Broad Contemporary Art Museum (BCAM) at the L.A. County Museum of Art (LACMA). I drive past the Museums' site(s) -- two blocks away from the Variety office -- each morning and night. And I've wondered, over the three years of construction, what the new Museum would be. It certainly did not start to look like any traditional Museum exterior. I wondered what the armada of lamp posts reaching north from Wilshire Blvd. promised to illuminate. And where was the entrance? There were no traditional cold steps leading to a box office. And where were the galleries? How could you reach them? Where would you park? As the days dwindled down and the Museum became a reality Thursday, architect Reno Piano admitted that "taking a street and a parking garage in L.A. is like destroying the Colosseum in Rome."

Well, they did it! The exciting exterior escalator which takes you to the museum's third (and highest) floor is a welcoming artistic adventure on its own -- especially on a day of Chamber of Commerce-perfect weather. As advised, we quick-tripped through the decades of art, starting on the third floor and descending in a 140-passenger elevator to the second, and then first level. The art critics will dissect the art choices -- but I can only say you must see them -- and often. The art is alive, yes, including "live" butterflies (100 of them) in Damien Hirst's garden exhibit "The Collector." As I left the new museum, I thought of the next addition to the landscape of Los Angeles -- the Museum of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. It will forever change the look of Hollywood.

Eric Braeden, who has played Victor Newman on "The Young and the Restless" for the past 28 years, segues from CBS City stages 41-43 to the Aero theater in Santa Monica on Friday night for the preem of the 1870s-set actioner "The Man Who Came Back," in which he stars (donning a Stetson) and exec produces. Joining him at the screening will be costars Armand Assante, Billy Zane, Peter Jason and director Glen Pitre, who previously worked with Assante in 1986 on "Belizaire the Cajun." "The Man Who Came Back" is produced by Braeden's Gudegast Braeden Productions and Stephen Bowen, Chuck Walker and Sam Cable, who are also searching for potential distributors. Braeden hopes to start another film immediately -- "If all goes well." The script is credited to Pitre, Walker and Braeden's son, Christian Gudegast. "It's a spooky western," he says.

"It's an amicable divorce," George Segal unhappily admitted to me. He and Richard Benjamin have bowed out of teaming in Neil Simon's "The Sunshine Boys," to be directed by Jeff Hayden and skedded to bow at the Odyssey theater in late March. They did the first-and-only reading Tuesday before the co-stars agreed not to do this version. "We had a lively discussion," Segal  told me, "and things didn't jive so we thought it prudent not to continue." The third member of the cast was to have been Dick Benjamin's son Ross, in the role originally played by Richard B. in the film version of the play.

Benjamin told me the reason for their departure was a difference of opinion with director Hayden. "I'm sad, but we didn't see eye to eye with him and couldn't resolve it. However, we still want to do the play in the future. Even though it didn't work out this time -- we fell more in love with the play." Hayden told me he was already on the phone this afternoon talking to potential co-stars to make the Odyssey equity waiver production's bow next month. "We're not going to give up." He promised to call with the new castings.    

Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter's name was back in Variety yesterday -- no, not for the announcement that he'd canceled the magazine's Hollywood Oscar party. He was also listed as one of the (six) producers of the docu "Gonzo: The Life and Work Of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson," nominated for -- but not winnng -- the award. 

Graydon is no stranger to filmmaking. His producing credits include  the Bob Evans story "The Kid Stays In The Picture," "9/11" (which won an Emmy), "The Chicago 10," and "Surfwise." I am assured he is not a member of the WGA, although many of the magazine's writers are members. And the current March Oscar issue includes a story on the Guild and its strike by member Michael Wolff who allows that his membership "provides my health insurance."

While Carter canceled the magazine's annual Oscar party in Hollywood because of the WGA strike implications, we expected he'd have a (smaller) bash in New York -- perhaps at his Waverly Inn. But no, Graydon claims he'll have Chinese takeout while watching the Oscars in bed. "Ratatouille" could  probably whip up an appetizing menu.      

They need a bigger hall for their next awards dinner. "The Seventh Annual Movies For Grownups Awards by AARP The Magazine," has grown too big and popular for its plush dinner-partying at the Hotel Bel-Air. West Coast Editor Nancy Griffin told me "We've outgrown our venue and will have to find a bigger space next year." AARP The Magazine, which reaches 39.4 million members with each issue, boasted wall-to-wall celebrants -- winners, presenters and industry supporters-- assembled by Caroline Graham. AARP's Entertainment Editor Bill Newcott, Chief Communications Officer Kevin Donnellan, editor Steve Slon and Nancy Griffin participated in the awards program.

John Cleese co-emceed the event and was also honored on the 20th anniversary of "A Fish Called Wanda." His costar, Jamie Lee Curtis, was supposed to co-emcee with him but fell ill. She sent over some comedic remarks which held their own with Cleese, who then teamed with an equally humorous and generous Dana Delany. We were told Jamie Lee will cover the May-June issue of The Magazine. Her 50th birthday is coming up and she'll be seen bare-shouldered and in the pool showing off some of her well-known and well-rounded features. She tells Griffin how much her life -- at 50 -- has changed. Cleese and Delany presented the Best Picture award to "The Savages" writer-director Tamara Jenkins. Chris Cooper's Best Actor award was accepted by "Breach" scribes Wiliam Rotko and Adam Mazer. Julie Christie received thunderous applause for her Best Actress win for "Away From Her," as did Ruby Dee who was named Best Supporting Actress for "American Gangster."

Cleese and Delany also presented awards to Michael O'Keefe on behalf of "Michael Clayton" winners Tom Wilkinson and writer-director Tony Gilroy. Gena Rowlands was cheered when she won the Breakaway Contender award for "Paris je T'aime." "Hairspray" producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron took home "Best Love Story." Fox Searchight CEO Peter Rice accepted the award for Best Comedy for "The Darjeeling Limited" while COO Steve Gilula accepted "Best Intergenerational" for "The Namesake." Director Norman Jewison presented the Best Screenwriter award to Ronald Harwood for "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly." Buzz ALdrin and David Singleton accepted Best Documentary for "In the Shadow Of the Moon." And Michael Moore received hefty applause for "SiCKO," which was named Best Documentary. Moore noted that the leading cause of bankruptcy is medical expenses. Julie Andrews, who also praised Moore, toasted director Kevin Lima, whose film "Enchanted" was named "Best Movie for Grownups who Refuse to Grow Up." Julie's second installment of her autobiog, "Home," is due out in April from Hyperion. Her B'way directorial debut with "The Great American Mousical"is skedded for late '08 or '09.

"The Bucket List" producer-director Rob Reiner accepted the award for Best Buddy Movie with a comedic routine describing how he got financing "for a movie about two dying men!" Hal Holbrook received his Best Career Achievement award from wife Dixie Carter -- plus a congratulatory letter from Robert Redford. Next year there should be more space for the "Movies For Grownups Awards."

The giant (million-dollar?) new set for the 80th Academy Awards will take its place at the Kodak Theater tonight. The place sitters for the nominess start arriving Wednesday. The first production meeting with producer Gil Cates and director Louis J. Horvitz will be held next Monday. Of course, Cates has already been in his Oscar offices for the past three weeks, though he's not admitting he's planning for two possible presentations. However, the feeling at the Oscar Nominees lunch today at the BevHilton was that the show will go on as always -- in its usual glamor. Academy President Sid Ganis wanted it plainly known that the purpose of the Oscars is to recognize the achievements of the night's winners, and not for the ever-accompanying hoopla. "It's not about the Oscar show. The Oscars exist to tell people that movies are an art."

The opening number of the 80th Oscar show will ilustrate that art in  a segment produced by Mike Shapiro, a veteran of 14 Oscar telecasts who has created a three-and-a-half-minute clip show of the 80 "Best Picture" winners. Oscar's looking good.

While the air was filled with hopeful anticipation, Bruce Davis, the Academy's Executive Director, allowed to me that they're confident they could find writers --  "who could write fast" -- as soon as the strike is settled. And he was also confident that Jon Stewart has a squad of writers ready for the event. There were a few Oscar-nominated writers on hand at the luncheon to pick up their certificates. Ronald Harwood, a Best Adapted Screenplay nominee for "The Diving Bell and yhe Butterfly," had flown in from London where he'll return on Tuesday to prepare for the opening of two of his plays. He reminded the crowd that he's not involved with screenplays as long as the strike continues. Best Original Screenplay nominee Jan Pinkava ("Ratatouille") sat at our table alongside striking scribe Kathy Greenberg who had also worked three years on "Ratatouille."

"The only way nominees previously received any recognition for their achievement was from the government. They got a letter in the mail," said former Academy President Richard Kahn ('88-'89), who inaugurated the Nominees' luncheon 27 years ago. He said it was originally MGM's Louis B. Mayer who noted there should be a conclave of the nominees before the ceremony. On another uplifting note for the Academy, Davis said they were "this close" to acquiring the final piece of real estate to complete the super site for the Academy's planned museum, whose blueprint is now in motion.

The upbeat feeling of a strike settlement was also obvious earlier at the two Super Bowl bashes we attended Sunday, which were sparkled by members of the showbiz and civic communities representing the many entities affected by the strike. Cherna and Dr. Gary Gitnick hosted over 300 guests at their Encino estate with Chasen's alumnus Arli performing chef duties. Michael Viner, Dwight Opperman and fiancee Julie Chrysyn hosted their help-yourself-dinner at Spago for over 200 guests. The tradition was started by Pierre Cossette when guests paraded through Chasen's serving themselves in the glamorous, halcyon days of Hollywood.

This past week, Paul Newman celebrated his 83rd birthday and 50th wedding anniversary with Joanne Woodward. So, in response to the (annual?) ugly rumors about his health, he says: "In answer to the rumors about my 'failing health,' the doctors have been treating me for athlete's foot and hair loss. Maybe they know something I don't know." He has been using this same reply to those same rumors for years. Meanwhile, he's busy as ever working on products for Newman's Own from which he has donated over $250 million to charities. He continues with his racing team and will be on hand April 20 for the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach Champ Car World Series (I don't know yet whether he's decided to be behind a wheel). He continues to expand his Hole in the Wall Gang Camps globally. On March 10, his friend and partner A.E. Hotchner is producing a truly star-studded gala at New York's City Center to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Camp. It too, will raise millions more for charity. And the following night on March 11, Newman will appear on David Letterman's show. You might also spot Newman at his restaurant in the Westport, Conn. Playhouse complex.

UPDATE: It has just been announced by the Westport Country Playhouse that Paul Newman will also direct the Playhouse's fall production of 'Of Mice and Men' by John Steinbeck.