Return to Transcripts main page
Showbiz Tonight
Road to Gold
Aired March 07, 2010 - 19:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
A.J. HAMMER, HLN HOST, "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT": I`m A.J. Hammer live outside the Kodak Theater in Hollywood, the site of the 82nd Annual Academy Awards.
BROOKE ANDERSON, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: And I`m Brooke Anderson live on the Red Carpet. This is "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT: Road to Gold."
HAMMER: Right now, the countdown to the biggest showdowns at the Oscars. It`s Meryl versus Sandra. Meryl Streep, her record 16th Oscar nomination.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MERYL STREEP, ACTRESS: Which is a rather daring thing to do.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Sandra Bullock, the Oscar rookie.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SANDRA BULLOCK, ACTRESS: You can thank me later.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: In the battle for best actress. The battle of the exes for best director: "Avatar", "The Hurt Locker"; James Cameron versus his ex- wife, Kathryn Bigelow. Will Cameron be named "King of the World" again?
The Red Carpet fashion showdown; the fabulous and the flops. Your very first look at who`s beautiful and who`s not on the Red Carpet, you decide.
This is a special live edition of TV`s most provocative entertainment news show, "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT: Road to Gold" starts right now.
HAMMER: Hello, everyone, I`m SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`S A.J. Hammer. And welcome to this special edition of "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT: Road to Gold" live from the 82nd Annual Academy Awards where the sun has finally come out at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood.
ANDERSON: That`s right and I`m SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`S Brooke Anderson live from the Red Carpet on what is sure to be an extraordinary night at the Oscars for so many reasons especially the incredible showdowns. But before we get to that --
HAMMER: Yes that`s right Brooke --
ANDERSON: -- I actually just spoke with actress Mo`nique; she is nominated for her role in "Precious". A powerful role, she played her performance as an abusive mother. And I want to talk -- I want you to hear now what Mo`nique said about paying tribute to Gabourey Sidibe, her co- star.
We will get to that --
HAMMER: Brooke we will get to that --
ANDERSON: -- in just a moment. We`re having a little bit of technical problems. Sorry about that.
But first, let`s talk about those incredible showdowns, A.J.
HAMMER: All right, well, the showdowns of course, Brooke, include the highly anticipated showdown between Meryl Streep and Sandra Bullock that of course in the best actress category.
We also have tonight the battle of the exes to look forward to this is very exciting. You have "Avatar" director James Cameron up for two of the biggest awards of the night and that`s up against his ex-wife, Kathryn Bigelow.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is going to be live for the next hour right here on CNN and we want you to know that the live coverage will continue on HLN, that`s going to be at 11:00 p.m. Eastern.
Yes, the Oscars, it`s a show so big, so important, we are combining the forces of our two networks to bring you the biggest and the best coverage anywhere.
And to help us we have put together truly an extraordinary team of the best and the brightest. That includes Paul Dergarabedian (ph) from Hollywood.com, entertainment reporter, Roshumba Williams, and veteran style and beauty expert Mary Alice Stevenson.
ANDERSON: So let the countdown to the showdowns begin with Meryl versus Sandra. Sandra Bullock nominated for her first time ever after coming off her most successful year ever. Meryl Streep nominated for a record 16th time, two women both beloved by so many people. And making it really hard to decide who to root for tonight and making it tough to predict who will win.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON (voice-over): It started with a kiss. Meryl Streep and Sandra Bullock locked lips while tying for a best actress Critics Choice Award but a faux feud followed in the fight over the big guy, Oscar.
These leading ladies have gone head to head this award show season: Streep, for her role as chef, Julia Child in "Julie and Julia".
STREEP: Bitch.
ANDERSON: Bullock for playing a tough southern woman in "The Blind Side".
BULLOCK: You can thank me later.
ANDERSON: While this is Streep`s record 16th Oscar nomination she hasn`t won since 1983 for "Sophie`s Choice".
This is Bullock`s first invite to the dance. But the awards show scale may be tipping in her favor.
BULLOCK: I don`t expect coming to win anything.
ANDERSON: Though both leading ladies took home Golden Globes, Bullock took home the prize Screen Actor Guilds Award. Publicly she was gracious.
BULLOCK: My money was on Meryl.
ANDERSON: But behind the scene Bullock jokingly left Streep a voice- mail telling her to watch her back which Streep reciprocated with dead orcas. Not to be outdone, Bullock got the last laugh by sending Streep a case of liquor and the note reading "Toast to White Trash".
So was there a throw down when the ladies met up at the annual Oscar luncheon?
BULLOCK: You know we dropped it. Because we realized it reached its limit. And now we`re just back to liking each other.
ANDERSON (on camera): So you didn`t spike her soup or anything now?
BULLOCK: She gave me a little kiss on the hand today and that was it.
ANDERSON: They kissed and made up.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: So there you have it, A.J. A really tough call for this showdown.
HAMMER: Definitely is, Brooke.
Right here with me tonight to break it all down, entertainment reporter Roshumba Williams, also with us in Hollywood, Paul Dergarabedian, he`s a box-office analyst with Hollywood.com. All right, so this is Sandra Bullock`s very first Oscar nomination. Roshumba --
ROSHUMBA WILLIAMS, ENTERTAINMENT REPORTED: First one.
HAMMER: Everybody if very excited --
WILLIAMS: Yes.
HAMMER: -- seeing her pitted against Meryl Streep, the most nominated actress in history. Do you think a first timer can really pull this off because certainly it was an incredible performance?
WILLIAMS: You know, it was an incredible performance. But I do have to say that I absolutely love Meryl Streep. Her body of work`s phenomenal "Sophie`s Choice," "Kramer versus Kramer," and now this "Julie and Julia" is phenomenal and she`s a mature woman still making Academy Award winning movies in Hollywood.
HAMMER: Yes.
WILLIAMS: But Sandra Bullock, we`ve grown to know her as the comedian, odd ball, the off-beat girl. She was seamless in her performance in "Blind Side". So I`m going to go with Sandra.
HAMMER: All right, ten seconds, Paul, I want to get your quick take on this. Do you think Sandra can pull it off tonight?
PAUL DERGARABEDIAN, HOLLYWOOD.COM: I think she can. And you know, there are first timers and then there are first timers. Sandra Bullock has been around a long time, I think she gets the respect for being around for so long.
HAMMER: Yes.
PAUL: Great performance in the "Blind Side" no question --
HAMMER: And she`s certainly has been --
PAUL: -- she`s my bet.
HAMMER: -- humbled and she`s been humbled by this whole experience through award season. Roshumba Williams, Paul Dergarabedian, you guys stick around. We`re going to be getting with you in the other showdowns in just a bit.
ANDERSON: Hi, there, I am joined right now by Oscar nominee Vera Farmiga for her role in "Up in the Air"; a very special guest. You look so beautiful.
VERA FARMIGA, NOMINEE, BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Oh, thank you. You look beautiful.
ANDERSON: Thank you. You know, the dress reminded me of a pink peony in bloom.
FARMIGA: I`m so sick of the winner in New York.
ANDERSON: how are you feeling tonight about your first Oscar nomination?
FARMIGA: It`s a nice pat on the back. It feels pretty great. Yes, I have --
ANDERSON: And what kind of advice have you gotten from George Clooney? Because he`s been here, he`s done this, he`s on his fifth Oscar nomination.
FARMIGA: He`s usually not in the habit of giving advice. But with regards to this he did tell me once, you`re never as good as they say you are and you`re never quite as bad as they say you are. Which I think it`s usually is there some wisdom there.
ANDERSON: So let me ask you this, you went to work on this film just two months after you gave birth to your son.
FARMIGA: My first costume fitting was two weeks after giving birth.
ANDERSON: Did you feel a certain pressure to get back to work?
FARMIGA: No, the pressure, well, you know, I hadn`t worked my entire pregnancy and you`ve better pay the bills to be honest with you. So that was the pressure. But it was a tremendous creative opportunity and so you just, you know, so that`s what we women have to do.
ANDERSON: It paid off. Congratulations on this nomination. Enjoy your evening.
FARMIGA: Thank you very much. Thank you.
ANDERSON: Very lovely, Vera Farmiga, nominated for best supporting actress. And you know what? She`s actually going to be going up against Mo`nique for her role in "Precious".
I spoke with Mo`nique just a few minutes ago. And she paid tribute to her co-star Gabourey Sidibe. Listen to what she said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MO`NIQUE, NOMINEE, BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: When I would watch her I would be in awe of that beautiful spirit taking flight because she was amazing and she`s showing the world that beauty comes in all shapes, sizes, colors, dialect. She`s showing the world and I`m so honored and proud to be able to stand next to that sister because what she did, baby, was amazing.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, Mo`nique obviously very humbled by the whole experience as well.
And as we said, the big theme of this year`s Oscars, showdowns, showdowns, showdowns. We`ve got the battle of the exes, James Cameron, his ex-wife, Kathryn Bigelow, he`s the director of "Avatar", of course, she`s the director of "The Hurt Locker"; both up for best director, both films up for best picture.
Also, it`s the battle of the Oscar co-host. You got Steve Martin, you got Alec Baldwin. And of course the best supporting actress showdown, you just saw Mo`nique. And people say Mo`nique`s the one to beat. Will she take home that precious statue?
You`re watching a special live edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on CNN "The Road to Gold".
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BULLOCK: I am really very amazed and thankful to be here because I`d like to work hard for another 10, 15 years. So this is what that means; bring it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to this special live edition of "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT: Road to Gold". I`m A.J. Hammer coming to you from just outside the Kodak Theater in Hollywood.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson live down on the Red Carpet with a very special nominee tonight. Carey Mulligan, the youngest Oscar nominee at 24 years old for her role in "An Education". And Carey, I understand that the first time you saw the finished film was actually a few days before it premiered at Sundance Film Festival last year.
And you said, "I was terrible, I was awful. I can`t believe that." And look -- why did you think about that because here you are an Oscar nominee?
CAREY MULLIGAN, ACTRESS: It`s just so weird to see your face for that amount of time, you know? And it`s like it`s so boring. So I still feel like that but I do appreciate what a brilliant job our director did. But it`s just so odd to see yourself with that amount of time, it`s very strange.
ANDERSON: You`re in nearly every single scene so it is different than being in a supporting role. So was that the adjustment for you mentally?
MULLIGAN: Yes, I`d always been in and out of things, you know. I played very small parts or played supporting characters and that was just all the time. And I had such amazing people around me. I felt like, you know, I was amongst giants so --
ANDERSON: After this you`re not going to be in and out of many more films I am sure. You could probably have your pick. What do you want to do next? Who do you want to work with?
MULLIGAN: Oh. Tarantino, he`s like, he`s right behind me I think.
ANDERSON: He will be here tonight if you haven`t seen him already so --
MULLIGAN: Kathryn Bigelow. I mean, I don`t know. I mean, I haven`t got a job yet. So I`m -- I`m kind of here looking for a job, that`s what I`m going to be doing tonight.
ANDERSON: So enjoy yourself at the same time. Thank you so much.
MULLIGAN: Thank you.
ANDERSON: A.J., Carey Mulligan looking lovely and really excited about her first Oscar nomination.
HAMMER: Looking absolutely stunning tonight Brooke. A lot of showdowns that we are here to talk about tonight; one of the big ones, of course, Kathryn Bigelow for "The Hurt Locker" James Cameron for "Avatar". The two of them have been incredibly supportive of each other but you can`t help but wonder tonight who will actually win this battle of the exes?
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: The showdown is explosive. It`s "Hurt Locker" director Kathryn Bigelow versus "Avatar`s" James Cameron.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You`re going up against gun ships with bows and arrows.
HAMMER: Her low-budget Iraq war drama wowed critics; his sci-fi juggernaut is the most successful movie ever.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That`s got to be a record.
HAMMER: Oh, and it gets better. They used to be married. Yes, Cameron was actually hitched to Bigelow from 1989 to 1991. So for Best Director it has come down to battle of the exes. And they can`t quite believe it either.
KATHRYN BIGELOW, DIRECTOR, "THE HURT LOCKER": The chances of it are so astronomical.
HAMMER: Cameron scored the first victory at the Golden Globes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There`s no stopping him.
But Bigelow did stop him at the Directors` Guild Awards.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It`s combat, buddy.
HAMMER: Through the combat though, they`ve remained friends.
JAMES CAMERON, DIRECTOR, "AVATAR": It`s very simple. We`ve always respected each other as an artist.
BIGELOW: We were really good friends. So this is so exciting.
HAMMER: The final showdown is set. Only one ex will emerge king or queen of the world.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: I`m still going to go with Bigelow for Best Director and "Avatar" for Best Picture; that`s my final answer, I`ve locked it in.
So many other showdowns that are about to go down tonight. There of course, is the Best Supporting Actress battle. Now, everybody is saying Mo`nique is the one to beat here; she`s great in "Precious". I mean, truly an amazing performance.
But there is some pretty stiff competition in this category: Cruz, Gyllenhaal and two great stars from "Up in the Air". There`s even a mega- showdown that`s going to start as soon as the curtain goes up on the Oscar show: Alec Baldwin, Steve Martin. Will two hosts be better than one?
This is a special live edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on CNN, "The Road to Gold".
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JEREMY RENNER, BEST ACTOR NOMINEE, "THE HURT LOCKER": Well, what we have to take is (INAUDIBLE) on the run around streak. That`s what I`m doing inside. I`m streaking. It`s exhilarating.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Welcome back to this special live edition of "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT: Road to Gold". I`m Brooke Anderson coming to you live from the Red Carpet in Hollywood.
HAMMER: I`m A.J. Hammer just outside the Kodak Theater. And we are set for some of the biggest Hollywood showdowns of the year. But you know the competition isn`t just reserved for the awards. There, of course, is a fierce fight to get the biggest stars to the hottest Oscar parties.
"SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`S" Kareen Wynter joins us now from the "Vanity Fair" party, it is one of the must get into Oscar parties in town.
Now, Kareen, I realize it`s early but the rain has gone away. Are some celebrities making their way in there yet?
KAREEN WYNTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, there, A.J.
We actually just saw comedian Don Rickles make his way in quickly. And I have to set the scene just to show you what we`ve been up against all morning with the rain. You can see the crews. They`re a little bit behind trying to get things ready. The celebrities are starting to file in. But the rain is really, really throwing a wrench into things.
But you know what, this is Hollywood. This is "Vanity Fair". They`re not going to let it rain on their parade and big party. There`s so much competition to get into this Oscar party where stars like Madonna, Jennifer Aniston, John Mayer have made their way in here in previous years.
And so this year, we`re wondering who is going to file past us? So much competition and you know, not just competition to get into the hottest parties, but also a lot of competition when it comes to the nominees.
The Best Supporting Actress category, we`re talking none other than Miss Anna Kendrick; she has a little bit of competition this year with stars like Penelope Cruz from "Nine", she`s a favorite, definite favorite. But you know, we`ve seen upsets before when it comes to the Academy Awards. So Kendrick could upset the ballots.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANNA KENDRICK, BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS NOMINEE: Isn`t (INAUDIBLE) the number
GEORGE CLOONEY, ACTOR: (INAUDIBLE) just a number.
WYNTER: Anna Kendrick knows about numbers. At 12 she was the third youngest person ever nominated for Tony Award for the musical "High Society". Now at 24, she`s a supporting actress Oscar nominee for playing George Clooney`s uptight yet endearing tag along in Jason Reitman`s "Up in the Air".
KENDRICK: It`s great but it doesn`t force the message on your throat and it just makes you really think about your life and what you want in your life.
WYNTER: Best known for starring with Rob Pattinson and Kristen Stewart in the "Twilight" movies --
KENDRICK: So, you`re an adrenalin junkie now?
WYNTER: -- Kendrick began pursuing her acting dream when she was 10. She and her 12-year-old brother would take a six-hour bus ride from Maine to New York for auditions; a bold move for a little girl who would catch her first two film breaks in 2003`s "Camp" and 2007`s "Rocket Science".
KENDRICK: Are you trying to say "thank you". I thought you might be stuck trying to say "thank you". You`re welcome.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Thank you, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter.
All right. Let`s talk about Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin; clearly two really, really funny guys. Tonight, of course, all eyes on them. It is the Oscar co-host showdown. There have been some big-time Oscar co-host successes, of course. And of course there have been some huge bombs in the past. So these two really have their work cut out for them tonight.
Also, there could be a huge upset in the Best Actress category. Everybody is talking about Meryl versus Sandra. But let`s not forget about "Precious" star Gabourey Sidibe.
But just who is Gabby? You`re watching a special live edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on CNN, "The Road to Gold".
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GABOUREY SIDIBE, BEST ACTRESS NOMINEE, "PRECIOUS": You know, it`s funny, I`m not -- I haven`t even considered winning. Like, it`s such a huge deal that I`ve been nominated. At this point, win or lose, I`m nominated. That`s the most -- like that. I`m so excited about being nominated, really.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to this special edition of "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT: Road to Gold" at the 82nd Annual Academy Awards.
I`m with beauty and style expert, Mary Alice Stevenson. The fashion is oozing off this Red Carpet, Mary Alice.
MARY ALICE STEVENSON, BEAUTY & STYLE EXPERT: It is oozing off.
HAMMER: I have to imagine there`s a lot of pressure on a star like Sandra Bullock, up for her very first Oscar for Best Actress. How did she do?
STEVENSON: She did great. She`s wearing Marquesa (ph). She picked the dress because that was the dress her stepdaughter loved. It was down to two, two hours ago. She didn`t know which one she was going to wear. Her stepdaughter said, "I love the Marquesa," so she went with that.
Also, Sandra is not being bought out. She`s not being paid for jewelry. She`s actually wearing diamonds that she owns; that her husband, Jesse, gave her, from Tiffany`s, vintage Tiffany diamonds. So I love it. You know, she looks great.
HAMMER: Do you think a star like her really feels the pressure that I imagine must be on them to pull off exactly the right outfit?
STEVENSON: I think they all feel the pressure. Up to a couple of hours ago I was getting -- stylists e-mailing me that the stars were changing the dresses. They were all supposed to wear one, now they`re wearing another. You know.
It`s an exciting time in the Red Carpet. You never know what you`re going to get.
HAMMER: You never know what you`re going to get. We have a lot more to talk about. We`ll get to that in just a few minutes, Mary Alice Stevenson.
My question is, will they dance? Will they sing? I definitely know they`re going to be very funny. Of course, I`m talking about Steve Martin, Alec Baldwin. I think this is a great choice; the Oscar co-host showdown.
Then, of course, you have the Best Supporting Actress showdown. Everybody is saying Mo`nique`s the one to beat. She`s great in "Precious". She has won every award this season. But there is some stiff competition in the category from Cruz, Gyllenhaal and of course two great stars from "Up in the Air".
This is a special live edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on CNN, "The Road to Gold".
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
A.J. HAMMER, CNN HOST: I`m A.J. Hammer, live outside the Kodak Theater in Hollywood, the site of the 82nd annual Academy Awards.
BROOKE ANDERSON, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: And I`m Brooke Anderson live on the red carpet and this is "Showbiz Tonight Road to Gold."
HAMMER: The big Oscar showdowns. Oscar co-hosts smack down. Alec Baldwin versus Steve Martin. Two big stars, one big stage. Mo`nique, "Precious" Oscar moment. She`s the odd`s-on favorite for best supporting actress. But not so fast, that statue is not going home without a fight.
And survival of the sexiest. The red carpet fashion showdown. The good, the bad and the what the heck on the Oscar red carpet.
Welcome back to this special live coverage of the 82nd Annual Academy Awards. It is 30 minutes past the hour. The sun is shining here in Los Angeles. 68 degrees. I`m A.J. Hammer coming to you live from Hollywood, just outside the Kodak Theater.
ANDERSON: That`s right. We have gotten a break from the rain. I`m Brooke Anderson, live on the red carpet. This is "Showbiz Tonight Road to Gold."
HAMMER: Now, Brooke, tonight, of course is all about the battles. We`re talking some fierce competition tonight. The greatest talent in Hollywood and beyond all facing off in what is expected to be the mother of all showdowns.
ANDERSON: Yes, A.J., probably one of the toughest showdowns of them all is happening between two Hollywood heavyweights who aren`t up for Oscars this year. I`m talking about the co-host of the big show, Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin. So who will win this showdown?
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I can`t believe I`m saying this to the great Gavin (INAUDIBLE) but this lemon is good for you.
ANDERSON (voice-over): They`ve battled on television.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Give me the brush.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You stay back. I swear I will paint you.
ANDERSON: Tangled in theaters. Now their (INAUDIBLE) moved to Hollywood`s biggest stage.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Who`s going to win?
ANDERSON: The Academy Awards. Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin, co-hosts and comedic rivals. And Hollywood`s elite is eager to catch the confrontation.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I`m really excited this show will be hosted by Jack Dennehy (ph) and the jerk. It`s going to be awesome.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: See that. Be somebody.
ANDERSON: Martin`s two previous hosting stints give him the upper hand. He`s putting the rookie in his place.
STEVE MARTIN, ACTOR: Co-host is really a misnomer. Host, this person, associate host.
ALEC BALDWIN, ACTOR: Steve --
MARTIN: Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Alec, would you get me some coffee?
ANDERSON: Kidding aside, the pair will take the job seriously.
BALDWIN: As I said to Steve, I`d rather it be more to air on the side of it being more dignified than funny. Because you realize this evening is very important to the people who are there.
ANDERSON: But they`re still expected to provide a few laughs.
MARTIN: Thank you, Academy, for nothing.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: I am really looking forward to seeing Alec and Steve co-host tonight. It is going to be a lot of fun.
And I am joined right now by a huge nominee here tonight. Sandra Bullock.
SANDRA BULLOCK, BEST ACTRESS NOMINEE: I told our director, don`t bother me, I`m live on CNN. I`m so sorry, CNN.
ANDERSON: You`re so sweet. So not rude at all about it? He`s -
BULLOCK: He`s used to my rudeness.
ANDERSON: Up for her role in "The Blind Side." You have said you doubted yourself in this role. I spoke with the real Leigh Ann Tuohy earlier, she said you nailed the part. You nailed it.
BULLOCK: You met the woman. So obviously, you know, it`s a bit of an uphill battle going from this to that. But I was given time to prepare. You don`t always get these opportunities or the proper perfect time to prepare for these things. And it opportunity and timing, I was ready. You know, it just all thankfully came together. Can you imagine if it had been horrible?
ANDERSON: Well, it`s appealed to not only the moviegoers but critics alike. And now that the Oscars are here, you`ve been winning award after award after award. You`re considered the favorite for the lead actress.
BULLOCK: Yes, there`s always a favorite. It never works out that way. That`s why all of us who are nominated, you just support your ladies. And whoever walks up there tonight is going to be so happy. The end result, it`s just -
ANDERSON: But in case, did you prepare a little speech?
BULLOCK: I prepared what I have to do when I present the best cinematography.
ANDERSON: It`s going to come from the heart.
You have such a great sense of humor about everything. You showed up to the Razzies last night.
BULLOCK: And I took home that award. That award is mine but I will give it back next year when they come back and say I`m sorry we made a mistake, which I`m feeling might happen.
ANDERSON: And have you seen Meryl Streep on the carpet? You guys had a -
BULLOCK: Not yet. But we will see each other. We love each other. People like to pit people up against each other, you know, but I love that woman. She`s extraordinary. She`s extraordinary.
ANDERSON: (INAUDIBLE) Well, congratulations.
BULLOCK: Thank you so much. You guys have a good time.
ANDERSON: I will. Thank you.
BULLOCK: Thank you.
ANDERSON: Sandra Bullock looking stunning, A.J., up for her very first Academy Award. Well deserved nomination.
HAMMER: Yes, you know, Sandra Bullock is getting a lot of early buzz for how great she looks from all of the style experts tonight. And Brooke, everybody really does look fantastic. But under all those expensive duds and all the glittering diamonds it is war on Oscar night. Don`t be fooled. Tonight Mo`nique`s "Precious" Oscar moment. She made a clean sweep during the whole awards season. The question is, is she going to take home the biggest prize of them all? It is the best supporting actress showdown.
And when all the Oscars are handed out and the speeches are done, make no mistake about it, it is time to party. The biggest bash of them all thrown by "Vanity Fair" and "Showbiz Tonight`s" Kareen Wynter is right there live.
And tonight, the best actress nominee mystery, who is Carey Mulligan? The young actress is up against women twice her age for best actress. Could Carey carry away the Oscar? This is a special live edition of "Showbiz Tonight," on CNN, "The Road to Gold."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CAREY MULLIGAN, ACTRESS: The mass, really surreal to be standing in front of those big - that`s kind of the color of my hair. Something I`m working on. This is a work in progress. Yes, it`s been so wild, but it`s been great.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: We welcome you back to this special live edition of "Showbiz Tonight Road to Gold." I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood with A.J. Hammer who has got a bird`s-eye view of well of a tent of the red carpet, but of all the pre-Oscar action from right outside the Kodak Theater.
HAMMER: Yes. I think the person who decided we`re keeping that tent up, they got a raise today because it did shower down just a while ago.
ANDERSON: Yes, it did.
HAMMER: Brooke, the excitement definitely building tonight. The sun has come out. I am guessing there are a few people more excited tonight than "Precious" star Mo`nique. She was very excited when you spoke to her a little while ago. She`s the one to beat in the best actress for a supporting role category. I got to tell you this is one showdown you will not want to miss.
Here`s "Showbiz Tonight`s" Kareen Wynter.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MO`NIQUE, BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS NOMINEE: When they call my name, if they call it, we`ll just let it happen.
KAREEN WYNTER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Some would say there`s no if about it. Mo`nique is destined to win best supporting actress.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Don`t nobody want you, don`t nobody need you.
WYNTER: Her jaw-dropping performance as an abusive mom in "Precious" has won her every trophy in sight including a Golden Globe and S.A.G. Award. She could wallop her competition.
Competing against Mo`nique, "Crazy Heart`s" Maggie Gyllenhaal.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Every time I lie down and hear that beautiful song.
MAGGIE GYLLENHAAL, BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS NOMINEE: I`m more proud of my work in this movie than anything I`ve done so far.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How can you not think about that?
WYNTER: Two women from "Up in the Air," Vera Farmiga and Anna Kendrick.
ANNA KENDRICK, OSCAR NOMINEE: It`s all very, very new territory for me.
WYNTER: And saucy Penelope Cruz from "Nine," who is the defending champ in this category. She won last year for "Vicky Cristina Barcelona." Cruz`s win was a surprise. So beware, Mo`nique. Upsets do happen.
MO`NIQUE: If I get there I`ll be very appreciative.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Who else is going to love me?
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: So, in this best supporting actress Oscar showdown tonight, who is Mo`nique`s biggest competition? Back with me tonight, Roshumba Williams, who is an entertainment reporter. Also from Hollywood Tonight is Paul Dergarabedian, who is a box office analyst with hollywood.com.
Paul, let me start with you. You have Anna Kendrick in this category along with Penelope Cruz, Vera Formiga, Maggie Gyllenhaal. They`re all up against Mo`nique. You saw Mo`nique`s performance and you say wow, that is an Oscar worthy performance but among those women, who do you think may give Mo`nique a run for her money tonight?
PAUL DERGARABEDIAN, BOX OFFICE ANALYST, HOLLYWOOD.COM: Well, I think it`s amazing, Anna Kendrick is so young and she gave such a great performance in "Up in the Air." And also Vera Formiga, they`re both great. Maggie Gyllenhaal though in "Crazy Heart" went toe to toe with Jeff Bridges and did a great job.
But I really think it`s Mo`nique`s to lose tonight. She`s the one who everybody has to try to beat and I think it`s about her transformation from being like this comedy person to being like the most hellish mother ever in "Precious." And that was pretty amazing performance. Thank got it wasn`t in 3-D. That would have been way too scary.
HAMMER: Roshumba, what do you think? Are you with it. Is there any way that Mo`nique can -
ROSHUMBA WILLIAMS, ENTERTAINMENT REPORTER: Of course, I would definitely say Mo`nique in this case. But Vera Formiga, she went from being basically a victim to a villain in the category. And the Mo`nique was the villain to the victim. More importantly, Mo`nique was courageous because she revealed that she was molested by her brother and that inspired her. She became her brother when the camera started to roll. So for me, it`s all about Mo`nique.
HAMMER: I had to agree with you. Roshumba, Paul, I want you to stand by. Right now I want to go to the red carpet with Brooke Anderson. Brooke, the red carpet this year is about young Hollywood stars because they`re trying to bring a younger audience into the Oscars this year. And I know you have one of those young stars with you.
ANDERSON: I certainly do, A.J. and here we have Miley Cyrus and you know what, this is what, your third time at the Academy Awards?
MILEY CYRUS, SINGER: Yes. So excited to be here.
ANDERSON: You`re like a veteran. This is old -
CYRUS: No -- this my first time presenting. So I`m so excited.
ANDERSON: Are you a little bit nervous to do that? Or is it -
CYRUS: Stairs are my, like, a little bit of my fear. I don`t like going up and downstairs in a gown. So I`m a little bit nervous about that.
ANDERSON: So let me ask you this. Hannah Montana really put you on the map. And now you`re getting into more mature roles. You`re starring with Greg Kinear in "The Last Song" coming out later this month. Talk to me about your mindset and your choices going forward.
CYRUS: I just feel like I`m making, you know, a good transition. It`s a little bit - it`s kind of hard, you know, because some fans don`t understand. Why can`t you do Hannah Montana another year? It doesn`t make as much sense to me now. So I`m just trying to make a good transition without leaving any fans behind.
ANDERSON: And in the movie you play a rebellious young girl, right? Is that in any way mirror your own life? I see you got your beautiful mom behind you, keeping an eye on everything.
CYRUS: I`m close with my mom. My mom is being mean to me. She wouldn`t trade me shoes. My feet are hurting. I know hers are lower than mine. I want to trade but she`s not letting me. So I`m about to throw a fit. Everyone can see my rebellious (INAUDIBLE).
ANDERSON: Good to see you, Miley. Congratulations on all of your success.
CYRUS: Thank you so much.
ANDERSON: Take care.
A.J., goodness everybody looks so stunning tonight. Little Miley Cyrus growing up.
HAMMER: It is unbelievable. If you remember, Miley, before anybody even knew who she was right there on "Showbiz Tonight" looking entirely different. Wow, what a lovely young woman she`s grown up to be. All right. So I bet you have your Oscar pool lined up next to your soda and chips. But keep in mind the real battle is right down there on the red carpet.
It`s Hollywood`s ultimate fashion showdown. We`re talking about the highs, the lows and of course the oh nos of Oscar fashion. Of course, after all the Oscars are handed out and everybody has thanked their mom and their agents, it is time to party. The biggest bash of them all is the "Vanity Fair" party. "Showbiz Tonight" has your VIP invite. "Showbiz Tonight"`s Kareen Wynter is right there. This is a special live edition of "Showbiz Tonight" on CNN, "The Road to Gold."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WOODY HARRELSON, ACTOR: I suppose there would be jitters if I thought I was going to win. Seeing as though I`m certain that I won`t, somebody`s going to have an accident when they accept, but it isn`t going to be a southern accent. So I`m just treating it the way I should which is as a good party. That`s the way I`m looking at it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to this special live edition of the "Showbiz Tonight Road to Gold." I`m A.J. Hammer with Brooke Anderson. We`re right in the center of all the action in Hollywood.
ANDERSON: That`s right, A.J., we`re counting down to the 82nd Annual Academy Awards. And this it`s all about the showdowns, Meryl Streep versus Sandra Bullock showdown and also "Avatar`s" James Cameron versus his ex- wife Kathryn Bigelow, who directed the "Hurt Locker." And I`m going to take a look down this red carpet. I see Matt Damon. I see Jeff Bridges. I see George Clooney, all making their way down to me. Hopefully, we`ll have them for you in just a moment but just a few minutes ago I spoke with best supporting actress nominee Anna Kendrick who starred with George Clooney in "Up in the Air" and she talked about the advice George gave her in terms of preparing for the Academy Awards. Her first time here. Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANNA KENDRICK, OSCAR NOMINEE: He told me at the beginning of the season, which awards shows were fun and which ones were nerve-racking. And he said that the Oscars were nerve-racking, unfortunately. But, you know, he`s all about, you know, just trying to relax and trying to do what makes you happy and not feel like you have to do something for anybody but you on a night like this because it`s, you know, it`s your night. It`s my night. I think.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: A.J., she`s actually competing against her other co-star, Vera Farmiga in that category. But all friendly competition.
HAMMER: And again, another great fashion look from what everybody`s telling me, I`m not seeing a lot of oh nos on the red carpet. Brooke, of course, it`s about the best fashion tonight. Everybody tunes in to see all of the eye candy. Look at all the celebrities. They`re pouring on to the red carpet. They spend a lot of money and a lot of effort getting these outfits together.
Beauty and style expert Mariel Stevenson is back with us tonight with Oscar beauty secrets. Now "Sex and the City" star Sarah Jessica Parker has become a fashion icon, and she did not disappoint tonight, did she?
MARIEL STEVENSON, BEAUTY AND STYLE EXPERT: She did not disappoint. Sarah Jessica is such a fashion risk taker. She is wearing Chanel Haute Couture. I absolutely adore it. A little bit over the top, so glamorous, so Sarah Jessica. Pastels are a big trend, A.J. on the red carpet. We see Charlize.
HAMMER: Yes, tell me about Charlize, who in my mind, sort of for a young star has that old Hollywood style about her, just so elegant.
STEVENSON: She just oozes glamour. And she was inspired by an old vintage photograph of Marilyn Monroe covered in roses. So she worked with John Galiano of Christian Dior Haute Couture to create this incredible dress that we saw today on the red carpet. So glamorous. So sexy. I loved it.
HAMMER: I know when there is a lot of Monday morning quarterbacking going on tomorrow and the weeks to come, and there will be the hits and the misses, but are you seeing any big mistakes tonight?
STEVENSON: So far I`m loving what I`m seeing.
HAMMER: Isn`t it kind of disappointing, don`t you, guys, who look forward to seeing people who really messed it all up?
STEVENSON: It`s exciting. Fashion - they need this right now. People need to be inspired by fashion. Carrie Mulligan in her Prada. Maggie Gyllenhaal in (INAUDIBLE).
HAMMER: People are paying attention.
All right. Mariel Stevenson.
STEVENSON: Thanks.
HAMMER: Please stay right where you are. Brooke Anderson is down on the red carpet watching all that fashion, feet and inches away from her.
ANDERSON: That`s right. Everybody looks so lovely. And Gabourey Sidibe from "Precious" just at the red carpet. I`m looking forward talking with here. And one of the biggest Oscar parties in town is of course, the "Vanity Fair" Oscar party. Kareen Wynter got a ticket. We go to her now.
KAREEN WYNTER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: Hi there, Brooke. A lot of star power here where we are at the "Vanity Fair" Oscar viewing party in West Hollywood, and there have been a few stars lining up, walking through. There may be somebody coming in behind us, the head of CBS (INAUDIBLE) and his beautiful wife, Julie Chen (ph), made their entrance here a short time ago as well as comedian Don Rickles and also Shirley McLain, a former Academy Award winner.
And this is the hottest party in town, by invite only. We wish we have this impressive list, to run through the names and tell you but it is so top secret, this is where all the A-listers in Hollywood come to watch the night`s biggest event.
In the past, we have had stars like Jennifer Aniston, Madonna filed through here, and it`s anybody`s guess who will make their way in. And then when they come in and they watch the party, there is a lavish dinner and then the after party, so we`ll be having all that action here tonight. A.J.
HAMMER: Kareen, I hear they have the best food of any of the parties. So try to sneak in there and get some food when we are done with the show. OK. I want you to help yourself -
WYNTER: I will try.
HAMMER: All right. Well, from the big Oscar parties to the huge Oscar showdowns, which face-offs are going to dominate the night? This is a special live addition of "Showbiz Tonight" on CNN, "The Road to Gold."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SANDRA BULLOCK, NOMINEE: When you come to something like this and you get in the room with all the people, and half of them you worked with for years and years, you realize the magnitude of our business. I just go, wow, we get away from the media where we have to be cute and have a sound bite, or you get in a room and you go wow, I remember why you wanted to be an artist.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to the special edition of "Showbiz Tonight The Road to Gold." I`m A.J. Hammer with Brooke Anderson who is on the red carpet with the first time nominee that we are all pulling for tonight.
ANDERSON: We are all pulling for Gabourey Sidibe, nominated for her role in "Precious." Not only is she a first time nominee but a first time film actress. Honey, you skipped class and went to this addition and here you are. It`s a dream.
GABOUREY SIDIBE, BEST ACTRESS NOMINEE: Life is pretty backwards nowadays for me.
ANDERSON: And what compelled you to go out for this role?
SIDIBE: I`m not sure. I think it was part of my destiny, and that`s why I was there. I never decided to go. I just went.
ANDERSON: And who do you have here with you tonight, because I know you were going to ask Justin Timberlake to be your date.
SIDIBE: Oh, god. Justin Timberlake is so nice. He actually sent me flowers. I was joking about asking him to be his date, and I was concerned that he was bothered about me saying his name all the time, but he sent me flowers, which is nice. Yes. I know he doesn`t hate me.
ANDERSON: You look beautiful. You know, your character in "Precious" actually dreams of being on the red carpet. So it`s almost like, not art imitating life, but the reverse here?
SIDIBE: Yes, in a weird way, but I walk this red carpet for "Precious."
ANDERSON: Who are you wearing and why? You look beautiful.
SIDIBE: Marchesa (ph) with Lorraine Schwartz Jewels because I love it.
ANDERSON: Congratulations, and enjoy.
SIDIBE: Thank you. Thank you.
ANDERSON: Oh, my goodness. What a sweet adorable young lady, A.J., Gabourey Sidibe, nominated for her very first Oscar.
HAMMER: All right. So Brooke, so obviously - you know, we`re talking about showdowns tonight. Really, arguable the biggest showdown of them all, the best picture category. I`m back with Paul D who is live in Hollywood with us.
Paul, I need to get your take on this. It`s "Hurt Locker," it`s "Avatar." It`s obviously going to be one of those two. If you believe the hype over the last couple of weeks, it seems like the scale is tilting towards "Hurt Locker," and I`m still going with "Avatar," how about you?
DERGARABEDIAN: Well, it`s a David and Goliath story but I`m trying to figure out who is David and who is Goliath considering the most people consider "the Hurt Locker," the front runner and on a box office basis worldwide, "Avatar" has earned 120 times more than "The Hurt Locker." So in a box office, we know who Goliath is. Now if Quin Tarantino comes along with "Inglorious Bastards," he can take care of this whole babble of the ex`s thing right there. If he were to somehow come in and win for best director and best picture. But I think you are right, I think it could be Kathryn Bigelow for director and "Avatar" for picture, and that way they split the difference.
HAMMER: But let`s remember, Roshumba that a lot of actors are voting for who wins the Oscar and "Hurt Locker," above "Avatar" is an actor`s movie.
WILLIAMS: Yes, it`s definitely an actor`s movie. Because it gives you an intimate look at what a soldier actually goes through when he goes to war, his obsession with it and the fact that he has this desire to continue to go back but "Avatar" takes you way over the top and incorporates everything. It`s got story, it`s got message, it`s got 3-D, it`s got new technology and it`s one of the highest grossing films of all-time if not the highest.
HAMMER: And it is certainly an epic, much like "Titanic" was and it really brought us all to a whole different world. I tell you what it`s going to make it an interesting and exciting night, because truly you can`t say one will win over the other?
WILLIAMS: You can`t say one will win. But in 82 years, though, the Academy has not selected a woman director. I got to get that in. The girl has got to win. So give "Avatar" best picture, and then give Kathryn Bigelow best director.
HAMMER: Kathryn Bigelow - Roshumba Williams, Paul D., I thank you all very much. And that is it for now. This has been a very special live edition of "Showbiz Tonight Road to Gold." I`m A.J. Hammer.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson. This is just the start of our complete coverage of the 82nd Annual Academy Awards. Join us after the Oscars for the very latest results and reactions as "Showbiz Tonight Road to Gold" continues at 11:00 p.m. Eastern on HLN. We`re going to see you then. And right now, we turn it over to the "State of the Union" with Candy Crowley.
END
