Like an official with a starter’s pistol, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences kicked off the awards season in earnest last night by holding the Academy’s 3^rd Annual Governor’s Award Dinner in the Grand Ballroom at the Hollywood & Highland Center.  Admittedly it's a rather slow start as the event is generally for *ahem* "old school" Hollywood and those hoping to make an impression with Oscar voters. Potential nominees Glenn Close, Woody Harrelson, Gary Oldman, Tilda Swinton, Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer were all there. Academy President Tom Sherak took the podium in a Darth Vader costume (in tribute to Jones) and opened with “How was your week?” 

And the first Oscar goes to…James Earl Jones.

Jones received an honorary Oscar from Sir Ben Kingsley for his long career in film. He accepted his Oscar via satellite because he’s in London starring in “Driving Miss Daisy” opposite Vanessa Redgrave at London’s Wyndham Theatre. Sir Ben Kingsley presented him the award for which Jones said he was “deeply honored” and “mighty grateful”.

In LA Oprah Winfrey and famed makeup man Dick Smith were given awards at the dinner; Smith for his long career spanning sixty five films including Little Big Man, The Godfather & The Godfather II, The Exorcist and Amadeus. Oprah was given the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award. (Despite the fact that she earned three standing 'O's to close the night, I'm pretty sure she'll still make a speech during February's three plus hour long telecast). Apparently there were a lot of heartfelt speeches for all of the recipients, attendees calling this year's gala the most emotional yet.

Part two of the event will be held tonight in London as Meryl Streep, Ralph Fiennes and James Earl Jones are scheduled to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences tribute to Jones’ costar Vanessa Redgrave’s 50-year career. (I hope they don’t think this is in place of giving her a nomination for Fiennes’ Coriolanus! She’s been nominated six times, but has only won once: Best Supporting Actress for Julia in 1978) 

Enjoy the pics of the arrivals at last night’s event! (Is it me or did John Travolta look more vampire-y than Edward?) They're just starting to roll in so I may be back with more goodies!!

Happy newlyweds Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer cuddle up at last night’s 2010 Entertainment Weekly and Women In Film Pre-Emmy Party which was sponsored by L’Oreal Paris Held and at The Sunset Marquis Hotel West Hollywood.

Ahh the sweet smell of the Emmys.  We are in the final stretch for Sunday night’s Emmy Awards.  Are you excited?

I stayed up real late last night watching TV and I saw the gown Maria Menounos was wearing and I have to say it is to die for!  I love seeing the gowns, but of course I love seeing the stars from my favourite television shows.

Who are you hoping wins?

Also attending last night’s party:

• Kate Walsh
• Jessica Lowndes
• Sharon Stone
• Kaley Cuoco
• Connie Britton
• Brooke Burke
• Emanuelle Chriqui
• Julia Ormond
• Karina Smirnoff
• Tricia Helfer

Pictures after the break

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Mariska Hargitay and Sharon Stone pose on the set of Law & Order:  SVU in New York where Sharon is filming an episode.  These two lovely ladies look like they are getting along like a house on fire!

I bet tabloid magazines hate pictures like these.  :)

No word on when this episode will air.

Note:  I’ve added 16 more pictures @ 10 p.m….they are after the break

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Reese Witherspoon runs some errands in Hollywood before lunching at Barneys New York.  She recovers well from being with Jake Gyllenhaal.  I’d be walking around in my undies with a tub of Rocky Road ice cream sobbing like a baby.

Neve Campbell is out and about with a friend in Hollywood

Ashley Tisdale is outside L.A. Studios in, um, hellooo Los Angeles

Sharon Stone looks incredible after leaving Villa Bianca having had lunch with a friend. This woman is going to turn 52 on March 10! Can you believe it with that body?

Kylie Minogue and her hunky boyfriend Andres Velencos leave her home together in London, England

Click on thumbnails to enlarge

Photos:  Apega/Agent47/Homero Tercero/WENN

Maggie Gyllenhaal poses with writer/director Scott Cooper at the Los Angeles premiere of Crazy Horse where she plays a journalist in this film starring herself and Jeff Bridges who plays:

A broken-down, hard-living country music singer who’s had way too many marriages, far too many years on the road and one too many drinks way too many times. And yet, Bad can’t help but reach for salvation with the help of Jean (Maggie Gyllenhaal), a journalist who discovers the real man behind the musician.

The film has been nominated for Best First Feature, Best First Screenplay and Best Male Lead for the 2010 Independent Spirit Awards.

Also attending the premiere:

• Sharon Stone
• Josh Brolin
• Diane Lane
• Robert Duvall
• Gregg Allman
• Stephanie Powers
• Dwight Yoakam
• Francis Fisher
• Fran Drescher
• Jeff Bridges
• Gary Busey
• John Savage
• T-Bone Burnett
• Thomas Cobb

Holy flashback to the 1980′s!!

Pictures after the break

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Lindsay Lohan attended Sir Richard Branson’s benefit in support of Virgin Unite (the non-profit leg of Virgin Group) and his mother’s foundation The Eve Branson Foundation.  More about this event here.

Despite rumours that Lindsay Lohan’s record label, Casablanca dropped her, her rep says they are not true and that she had been having difficulty juggling her acting career with recording an album.  Um.  No comment.

Other celebrities attending the event:

• Natasha Henstridge
• Kristin Cavallari
• Paula Abdul
• Sharon Stone
• Daisy Fuentes
• Gavin Rossdale
• Jenna Elfman
• Bodhi Elfman
• Lindsay Price
• Charlotte Ross
• Shawn King
• Lynn Collins
• Jessica Wen
• Matt Goss

And others.  Pictures after the break

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