Oscar Nominees for 2007 Films

In a year when the writers' strike is giving every award show a run for its money, the Golden Globes were taped and broadcast like a telemarketing show, we have the 80th Academy Award ceremony. I was there to witness the Golden Globe ceremony on TV. The hosts, Billy Bush and Nancy O'Dell were announcing nominees and winners like they were reading off lottery numbers. Many sources have proclaimed that the strike will not effect this year's show. Among these souces is Oscar telecast producer, Gil Cates.

Gil Cates has stated that this year's Academy Award ceremony will go on, with or without the actors or the writers. My first reaction was a skeptical question of whether or not he plans to fill seats by pulling people in off the street. Not only are writers involved in this strike, but actors are joining in to support them. This creates a lot of mystery behind this year's show. Many people think that the writers strike will eventually ruin Cates's plans for the show if it continues. We may in fact watch the Oscars in the same way we watched the Globes. However, Gil Cates is sticking to his guns. "I don't want to say 'read my lips' but it's not going to be cancelled, " said Cates.

Even two-time Oscar winner, Tom Hanks spoke out earlier this month, stating that "the show must go on". Whether or not they will roll out the red carpet for all of the beautiful and glamorous celebrities in their limousines will be in question until February 24th, 2008. But the Academy Award nominees have been announced.

The stage was lit up. The room was quiet. Sid Ganis, the President of the Academy walked out to the podium and summoned Kathy Bates onto the stage.