If it weren’t for Jon Stewart, the Academy Awards would’ve come and gone with little said over about the Hollywood writers strike. “Welcome to the makeup sex,” joked the host, referring to the end of hostilities and (hopefully) the beginning of better TV.

“Of course, there’s some collateral damage left over from the strike — emotionally, economically, perhaps worst of all the cancellation of the legendary Vanity Fair Oscar party,” he said. “They said they did it out of, quote, respect for the writers. You know a way they could show respect for the writers? Maybe, one day, invite some of them to the Vanity Fair Oscar party. I promise — they won’t mingle.”

Unfortunately, there were very few actors who actually gave the writers what they really wanted: acknowledgment. One notably exception was Diablo Cody who accepted her trophy for original screenplay by saying, “This is for the writers, and I want to thank all the writers.”

The Grammys delivered on its promise of throwing a true Hollywood party, complete with red carpets, gowns, and vizarre acceptance speeches. In the list of winners you’ll find an amazing sweep from brilliant — yet very troubled — singer Amy Winehouse. She performed a song and sent her thanks via satellite, having been denied entry into the US because of her drug history.

The Grammys — which honors the best in the music industry — is the only major event to have gotten approval of the Writers Guild of America.

The 25th annual William S. Paley Television Festival will be honoring writer-producer
Judd Apatow, the genius behind cult classics like “The 40-Year-Old Virgin,” “Knocked Up” and “Superbad.”

The event will also be inviting producer director Steve Binder to talk about Elvis Presley’s 1968
comeback special on NBC, and honoring the cast and producers of hit series like “Pushing Daisies,” “Gossip Girl,” “Chuck,” “Dirty Sexy Money” and “Mad Men.”

Who are the smartest people in the entertainment world? EW magazine attempts to make a list, naming the showbiz industry’s brightest minds. The criteria? They had to be at the top of their game, consistently cited by their peers as the best in their line of work. It also looked at all aspects of entertainment, going behind the scenes to the technical team who put the movie together, and management team who make those important decisions based on sheer “instinct.” Of its 50 names, here are the top 10.

1. Judd Apatow, director/writer/producer
2. Steven Spielberg, director/producer
3. James Cameron, director/producer
4. Ari Emanuel, partner of the Endeavor Agency
5. Will Smith, actor/producer
6. Meryl Streep, actress
7. Peter Rice, president of Fox Searchlight
8. Tyler Perry, actor/director/writer/producer
9. David Heyman, producer
10. John Knoll, visual-effects supervisor of Industrial Light & Magic

People who benefitted others in their line of work were placed higher on the list than the loners. EW claimed that they did 3 months of research, live interviews and consideration before finalizing this list. To read the entire list of the Top 50 Smartest People in Hollywood, please visit the source.

How are the stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame selected? Most are nominated, with the entries reviewed by the Walk of Fame Committee.

The committee meets once a year, ploughing through over hundreds of applications. Only a fraction are approved, though those who don’t meet the cut are automatically rolled over for a second review the next year. (That’s the last chance, though – if they still don’t make it, they must be re-nominated to be considered.)

Nominees must show that they have made significant contributions to the industry, in the areas of television, motion pictures, radio, recording and live performance. These must be “proven” by the application documents: a biography (maximum of 2 pages), a list of accomplishments, a photograph and samples of work. Fans can nominate, but the celebrity/manager must give a letter of agreement. There is a sponsorship fee of $25,000.

The committee passes its short list to the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce’s
Board of Directors, and the Los Angeles City Board of Public Works. The Los Angeles City Council has the final approbation.

Send submissions to:
Hollywood Walk of Fame
7018 Hollywood Boulevard
Hollywood, CA 90028

A star studded and absolutely glamorous affair, the 64th annual Golden Globe Awards had everyone who is anyone in Hollywood seated at the tables. It was the first major award show to be held for the year and honored some fine shows indeed.

The guests arrived wearing mainly black and white, plus a few metallic ones. Some of the best dressed celebrities for the night include Jennifer Love Hewitt, Penelope Cruz, Renee Zellweger, Eva Langoria and Reese Witherspoon. Hilary Swank had a really eye catching jeweled flower hair accessory that did wonders to make up for her simple black dress.

Hugh Laurie’s wish for a Dolce & Gabana acceptance speech brought some laughs as did Clint Eastwood’s repeating part of Jennifer Hudson’s acceptance speech. As expected Jennifer Hudson took home the best supporting actress award for her part in Dreamgirls. Best Supporting Actor went to Eddie Murphy, also for Dreamgirls. This was a first for both of them. Meryl Streep took home the Best Actress award for her role as the boss from hell in The Devil Wears Prada. Best Motion Picture went to Babel.

Looks like Hollywood is indeed off to a good start in 2007.

[tags] Golden Globe Awards,Red carpet,best dressed, Eddie Murphy, Jennifer Hudson, Meryl Streep, Babel, Hugh Laurie [/tags]

The price to pay may be too much for people who have found themselves peaking too early in the world of showbiz. With the aid of affordable search engine optimization based on creative information as composed by their writers can only offer a detailed overview how some once upon a time stars are falling one by one.

The list seems to spearhead a lot of the teens who have found themselves in the Hall of Shame. Check this out:

1. Lindsay Lohan
2. Paris Hilton
3. Britney Spears

These gals have at one time looked like angels. As to what happened to them is anyone’s guess. Many attribute it to lack of guidance or simply wanting to rave for attention. But while they are busy looking for identity, it seems that they have dug themselves an even deeper hole rather than upping their popularity ratings. Such a shame but that is perhaps the price of fame.

It has been customary for most celebrities to come from a certain point of origin. This point of origin where they originally came from would usually be the immediate foundation of their illustrious career. For Beyonce Knowles, she will always be best known for being a part of the famous singing group Destiny�s Child.

Outside the obvious talent in singing, her beauty and looks are other assets that make Beyonce a diva in her own right. In 2001, the group decided to try out solo careers and this surely became the opportunity for Beyonce Giselle Knowles to shine. Her natural talent in music since age seven sprung to new heights and this can be seen with her various accomplishments when she ventured out into stardom on her own.

Among her accomplishments included that of her first hit single �Work It Out�. She also gained prominence when she became the first African-American female artist and second woman ever to win the annual ASCAP Pop Songwriter of the Year Award. She has also appeared in the big screen in movies such as Austin Powers: Goldmember in 2002 and The Pink Panther in 2006.

[tags]Beyonce Knowles, destiny’s child, diva[/tags]

In just a few short hours, it is time for Hollywood’s most awaited event, the Oscars. It is the most coveted trophy by film makers, actors and actresses and Oscar fever has been in the air for the last couple of weeks.

The red carpet of the Oscars is one of the most awaited fashion moments. Dress designers have offered up their unique creations hoping that their outfit will be the one chosen by the men and women who will walk down this very special runway. Among those likely to dress the stars are Georgio Armani, Chanel, Christian LaCroix, just to name a few.

This year’s host is Ellen Degeneres. Looks like they are hoping for a lighter show this time around than that delivered by Chris Rock or Jon Stewart. Let’s hope she brings more fun to this night than the previous years.

Who will win the major awards is still anybody’s guess. No single winner has yet been confirmed so the actors and actresses are still very much on tenterhooks.

Who are performing tonight? It’s a star studded line-up which includes Celine Dion, Randy Newman, James Taylor and the Dreamgirls - Beyonce, Jennifer Hudson and Anika Noni Rose. It may be a night for the actors but music will definitely be in the Kodak Theater, as music is always a necessary part of any film.

Talk about irony, last year’s Grammy Awards show suffered in the ratings because their network chose to pit the show in a head to head battle with American Idol. This year they opted to taje another time slot which was great and they had their own little Americon Idol like competition. They called it My Grammy Moment and the winner got to perform on stage with Justin Timberlake at this year’s Grammys. Here’s where the irony comes in: the winner of the My Grammy Winner is an American Idol reject.

As the winner, Robyn Troup did get her moment of fame with Sexy Back Star Timberlake on Sunday. On Tuesday the episode of American Idol which was taped before the Grammys aired showing that she was rejected by American Idol.

Take heart though Robyn. Being rejected by the judges of American Idol does not mean the end of your career. Look at Jennifer Hudson. She beat out her American Idol batchmate and winner Fantasia Barino for the part that gave her her Golden Globe and her Oscar.