Seriously? OMG! WTF?

This year’s Oscar ceremony will see three of Britain’s finest leading ladies compete to win the statuette for Best Actress. But while Dame Helen Mirren, nominated for her role in The Queen, and Kate Winslet, for her performance in Little Children, have both spoken of their excitement at attending the most prestigious award ceremony in film, on February 25, Dame Judi Dench will be unable to attend due to poor health. But the 72-year-old, who famously won an Oscar in 1999 for her eight-minute performance as Queen Elizabeth I in Shakespeare In Love, is scheduled to have an important knee operation at the end of this month and has told friends it will coincide with the most important date in the film industry’s calender. ‘Judi has had this knee injury for a while and finally decided to do something about it,’ says a friend. ‘It has to be carried out by a specialist at a certain time. Even if they bring the operation forward, she is going to need some recovery time.’ Dame Judi has suffered from the knee problem for a number of years and has told friends that the pain is unbearable – she once described it as ‘bone on bone’. ‘She feels she would be jeopardising her health if she were to miss the operation for the sake of going to the Oscars,’says a chum. ‘She wants to go but Judi has been to the Oscars before and doesn’t care about the glitz and the glam of it all.’ However, sources insist Judi’s insouciant approach to the ceremony also lies in her belief there is no point attending as Helen Mirren is tipped to win. ‘Judi said in a recent interview that she didn’t give ‘two hoots’ that Helen had been nominated, but really she thinks it has ruled out any chance of her walking away with a gong,’ continues a friend. ‘Helen has already won the Golden Globe for best actress and that’s usually a good indicator of who will go on to win an Oscar.’

Daily Mail 

Every interview I have seen with Dame Judi Dench she always comes off so classy and real, that I don’t believe she would not go to Oscars because she doesn’t have a chance in winning. I hope her knee surgery goes well and she is back on her feet in no time.

You can not only forget about Beyonce Knowles winning an Oscar for best actress this year. Now it looks like Beyonce won’t win as a songwriter either — for "Listen," one of the original new tunes added to the original Broadway score. Officially, she’s listed as one of the song’s four writers, but the motion-picture academy only permits three names — max — as a credit. To see the specific language of its Rule 16 — CLICK HERE! The Oscars’ songwriting branch has decided to qualify Henry Krieger, Anne Preven and Scott Cutler. No explanation is given for why Beyonce is excluded over the others. Is this just one of those cases of where the singer insisted upon having her name added to credits as part of her performance deal? Beyonce says "No!" In media interviews, she’s often said that she was truly involved in its songwriting. Apparently, not to the extent as her three collaborators.

The Envelope 

G-d I would hate to be her people and the movie people right now because you know her dad is ripping them a new one.

The ballots are on the way. Ballots for the Oscars will be sent out on Tuesday to the 5,830 voting members of the Academy, with each have a corresponding number to ensure that it is sent to the appropriate voter. They must be returned to PricewaterhouseCoopers by 5 p.m. Jan. 13. Arriving with the ballots is a list of eligible 2006 films.

Variety

Forget that, I want my Razzie ballot!!! Now that will have some good movies to choose from!

Academy Awards Bosses Ditch Gift Baskets. Hollywood celebrities will leave the 2007 Oscars without the lavish gift baskets they have been presented with in previous years. The decision comes after The Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences and the US Inland Revenue Service (IRS) agreed to send tax forms to all those who received the free gifts, worth around $100,000 (£51,000), at the 2006 ceremony. IRS Commissioner MARK EVERSON says, "Whether you’re popping the popcorn, sitting in the audience or starring on the big screen, you need to pay your taxes. "There’s no red carpet loophole for the stars." Actor EDWARD NORTON recently expressed how appalled he is by the freebies celebrities pick up at top awards shows.

Female First 

I wonder if they are going to protest this? Will this be the new trend? I know there are celebs who will only go to an event if they will get a Gift Basket. How sad is that?

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