In a big departure from prior years, the presenter is going out to the audience and they've set up microphones in the audience so they don't have to walk to the stage. This is the attempt to make the Oscars more interactive.

7:16 pm. After scientific awards, is anyone else yawning?

Best Supporting Actress: Cate Blanchett, Aviator. First award. She took the bow out of the back of her dress, I didn't know you could do that. (Correction: That was Penelope Cruz's yellow dress that had the big bow in the back.)

Selma Hayak is stunning in her introduction of Carlos Santana and Antonio Banderas singing for the Motorcycle Diaries. This is the first Spanish song ever to be nominated for an Academy award, Al Otro Lado de Rio. Motorcycle Diaries Wins! Great acceptance speech, he sang the song without music and said Ciao.

Best Actress: Is anyone else tired of Annette Benning constantly tweaking her ear to say hello to her kids, like Carol Burnett? Winner: Hillary Swank. Million Dollar Baby. Clint Eastood had tears in his eyes.

Best Actor: Johnny Depp looks uncomfortable in the Oscar setting, while DiCaprio never looked more at ease. Jamie Foxx wins. Standing ovation. And the most emotional speech so far of the night...thanking his grandmother who taught him to act, stand up straight, not behave like a fool and behave like he's been somewhere. Excellent, this man can emote. He did the same at the Golden Globes.

Best Director: Clint Eastwood--he brought his 96 year old mother to the awards, great genes, as he remarked. Gracious as could be, he seems like a really nice man.

Best Picture: Million Dollar Baby.

End of show: As to my predictions (see below)--I got 5 out of six of the big ones. That doesn't mean I had any particular insight. It means the results were that predictable.

Overall, a disappointing, boring show. It even ended 15 minutes early. I don't think there were any memorable moments. I hope their parties are more fun.

At least I don't have to watch any more commercials for Blind Justice and Gray's Anatomy. Television is really sinking.

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The Oscars face civil liberties issues tonight. If Chris Rock plays it safe, we'll all be disappointed. If he rocks, the Oscars may gain in the ratings department. Frank Rich explores this today in the New York Times and concludes that it's all a hoax.

I agree. Between the 5 second time delay, and the cutting of Robin Williams song as too politically incorrect, even with Chris Rock, the Oscars might as well be called "same time, last year." We'll probably be calling ABC "the little boy who cried wolf" tomorrow morning.

I hope I'm wrong, and something really exciting happens to blog about. But even if it doesn't, that still leaves the fashion, which for me is the best part of the Oscars anyway.

Here's an open thread to take you to Showtime. Predictions, anyone?

Current New York Times poll Predictions:

Best Picture: The Aviator (48%)
Best Director: Martin Scorsese (48%)
Actor in a leading role: Jamie Foxx (68%)
Actress in a leading role: Hilary Swank (64%)
Actor in a supporting role: Morgan Freeman (52%)
Actress in a supporting role: Cate Blanchett (48%)

My Predictions:

Best Picture: Million Dollar Baby
Best Director: Clint Eastwood
Actor in a Leading Role: Jamie Foxx
Actress in a Leading Role: Hilary Swank
Actor in a Supporting Role: Morgan Freeman
Actress in a Supporting Role: Natalie Portman

Who I'd like to see win:

Johnny Depp or Leonard DiCaprio