Hollywood abuzz as Oscars near

Movies News

Feb 23, 2008, 16:47 GMT

Los Angeles - Workers were putting the finishing touches on the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles Friday, two days before Hollywood celebrates its biggest night of the year at the star-studded annual Oscars show. 02/22/2008 - Oscar Statue - 80th Annual Academy Awards - Poster Signing - Kodak Theatre - Hollywood, CA, USA © Ken McCoy / PR Photos

02/22/2008 - Oscar Statue - 80th Annual Academy Awards - Poster Signing - Kodak Theatre - Hollywood, CA, USA © Ken McCoy / PR PhotosNo Country For Old Men is the hot favourite to take the coveted best picture prize, but that aspect seemed almost secondary Friday to the frantic attempts of clothes designers, make-up artists, hairdressers and stylists to get their clients ready for the Oscars extravaganza. Another hub of feverish activity was among the caterers and party planners in charge of the pre- and post-Oscar celebrations. The Oscars had been under threat because of the now-settled screenwriters' strike. But Access Hollywood quoted show producer Gil Cates as saying that the script for the show had now been finalized and that the audience should expect the show to open with a 'boom,' along with at least one 'startling' moment among the many surprises planned for the top secret telecast. One definite surprise is that the weather in usually sunny Los Angeles is predicted to be rainy on Oscar Sunday. Another surprise is a superstar post-Oscar party organized by Madonna and Demi Moore to replace the exclusive Vanity Fair party, which was cancelled two weeks ago when the Oscars were threatened by the writers' strike. 'It gives the A-list Vanity Fair crowd someplace to go to,' a source tells Variety. 'It will probably be pared down to where it's 85 per cent talent, not a lot of suits.' For those not invited to the exclusive event there are plenty of other options, including the official Governor's Ball immediately after the ceremony and Elton John's AIDS charity party.