In these weeks leading up to the Oscars, many a conversation throughout our fair city has posed the same query about this year's hosts, Anne Hathaway and James Franco: "Aren't the Oscar hosts supposed to be funny?" And indeed, we have come to expect some level of humor from emcees of the esteemed awards. more ›

Academy Award-winning costume designer Theoni V. Aldrege has died, according to ABC7. She was 88. Aldrege, who won the Oscar in 1975 for the film adaptation of The Great Gatsby, designed costumes for hundreds of movie and stage endeavors. Among her film credits are Addams Family Values, Ghostbusters, Annie, The Rose, and Moonstruck. She began her career designing for the stage, and she continued to do work in theatre; "In 1984 more than 1,000 of her costumes could be seen in five musicals running simultaneously on Broadway," notes the NY Times. more ›

This Valentine's Day, a dozen red roses may be out of the question, but a dozen dead schoolgirls is totally doable courtesy of The Red Riding Trilogy, unspooling in various installments at an exclusive Nuart engagement... more ›

Jennifer Jones has reportedly died at age 90 in her Beverly Hills home this morning, according to e-mail alerts from the LA Times and KNX1070. Jones is known for her 1943 Oscar winning performance in "The Song of Bernadette." She also is known for marrying two legends: producer David O. Selznick and Norton Simon, the art collector and industrialist. R.I.P., Jennifer Jones. more ›

The National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians (NABET-CWA) Local 11 is threatening to derail NBC's planned Christmas tree lighting broadcast at Rockefeller Center tomorrow night unless negotiations on a new contract start picking up. More info is available at their website NBCStoleChristmas.com. The broadcast was originally set for tomorrow night at 8pm and was to have included co-hosts Jane Krakowski, of ‘30 Rock,’ and Zachary Levi, of ‘Chuck,’ featuring performances by Michael Bublé, Aretha Franklin, Alicia Keys, Barry Manilow, Shakira, The Roots and The Radio City Rockettes. more ›

Oscar- and Emmy-winning actor Karl Malden, best known as Detective Lt. Mike Stone on the '70s TV series The Streets of San Francisco, has died of natural causes at the age of 97, Before entering television, "he won an Oscar for his portrayal of Blanche's earnest suitor Mitch in the 1951 adaptation of A Streetcar Named Desire (he'd previously played the part on Broadway), and received another nod for his role as streetwise Father Barry in 1954's On The Waterfront. He followed with acclaimed turns in Baby Doll (1956), How the West Was Won (1962), Birdman of Alcatraz (1962), and Patton (1970)," reported Entertainment Weekly. more ›

Gifting events have long been a part of Oscar's history, and this year--more than ever--gift suites are going green and giving back. LAist attended the GBK "Circus of the Senses" event at the SLS Hotel on Friday, Feb. 20, to become familiar with the charities and artists involved with the event. Oscar nominees, presenters and other notable figures were given special wristbands that enabled them to receive goodies throughout the suite. Twenty percent of the proceeds from the event benefited four charities (more info below). In addition, each charity was given a gift bag to auction off, and each celebrity in attendance was given the opportunity to give all or part of their gift bag to the charity of their choice. more ›

Before the winner is announced tomorrow during the Oscar telecast, curious fashionistas and design enthusiasts can head over to the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) for "The Art of Motion Picture Costume Design Exhibition." On display are the costumes considered and nominated for this year's Academy Awards in the Best Costume Design category. The show features costumes from the films Milk, The Duchess and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Last year's winning designs from Elizabeth: The Golden Age are also on view. If you can't make it this weekend, the free exhibit is ongoing until Mar. 29. more ›

• Five are dead and one person was hurt in an apparent murder-suicide in Yorba Linda, close to the Richard Nixon Library. A 14-year-old called in to report that his father had shot him. Police later found that the gunman shot his wife and 3 of his children before turning the gun on himself.
• As we have pointed out before, it's not a good time to be a Republican. The state GOP is meeting in San Francisco (of all places) to talk about ways to help the party in which a deep rift has developed between those on the right and those to the right of them.
• In a headline nearly as long as the entire article, the Daily News tells us: Yes, you're paying more for gas. Average is now $3.10. We need to invest in alternative fuels. We need to elect a Democrat who will explore alternative fuels. We need to elect a Repuiblican who will drill in Alaska. We need to drive more hybrids. Fuck it, I'm off to catch the bus.
• Is Councilman Herb Wesson gearing up for a mayoral run? Hmmmmm. At least one blog might support some opposition.
• LAX could receive greater scrutiny if a study is approved Monday that would look into diesel emissions and how noise from arriving and departing planes affects surrounding homes. It's something that Bob Hope Airport in Burbank continues to grapple with.
• The nod for best movie may go to "No Country For Old Men," but the award for best tasting tap water has gone to Los Angeles. A panel of 10 journalists and food critics sampled sparkling, tap and bottled water from 19 states and other countries, including New Zealand, Romania, Macedonia and the Philippines before calling it for Los Angeles.
• And speaking of Oscars, if you are reading this, it means you are not reading our Academy Awards Live- Blogging. Even if you are not a fan of the glitz and glamor, I know you like our wit, and it's being served in 10-minute increments. more ›

The 80th Annual Academy Awards are this weekend and it's time to break out the ballots and play the at-home game, which is probably second only in fun to making booze-enhanced color commentary from the couch for the red carpet arrivals. (We'll leave you to your own devices on that one.) more ›

Heath Ledger's death today was a big loss to the Hollywood community. It is a notable national tragedy when young talent is lost from the spotlight in America, when someone so young and budding has his life cut short. more ›