Oscars Liveblog!

12:02: Well, that wraps it up. On to the after parties, which I will not be liveblogging.

12:00: Also, it's great that it wasn't a big studio picture for once. It had been a while.

11:59: With absolutely no fanfare, it's The Hurt Locker! Restoring my faith in the Academy for another year.

11:58: Captain Douchey was just shaking his head and frowning at Kathryn Bigelow. Perhaps she should have thanked him specifically.

11:56: Yeah, The Hurt Locker was really amazing.

11:56: If there's any justice in the world Avatar also won't win Best Picture. So nice to have a woman win for Directing.

11:55: Kathryn Bigelow! HOORAY!

11:53: So much potential for goodness or badness.

11:52: If anyone can lend a sense of drama, it's Barbra Streisand. And she wore a pants suit!

11:52: That was lovely.

11:50: Sandra Bullock prepared her speech. That's nice.

11:49: That was predictable. Kind of disappointing. Where's the Oscar drama? Still coming up?

11:48: It always feels like he's giving a eulogy. Like tears are a breath away.

11:48: Couldn't he do up his tie?

11:47: I wish Stanley Tucci were my friend. Also, I want Meryl Streep's bracelets.

11:46: St. Meryl.

11:45: See, this makes me really wish that Gabby would win.

11:44: Gabby's going to cry because Oprah knows how to deliver a line.

11:43: Carey Mulligan is adorable, but should not be bottle blonde.

11:42: Helen Mirren has a spiderweb tattoo!

11:41: Tony Blair!

11:40: Bringing out the big guns... Oprah's there to pitch (presumably Gabby). Votes are already in!

11:39: Best Actress time! Big potential for drama.

11:35: He's so mellow.

11:34: When the Dude says "Raise your hand, man" you'd better stand up.

11:32: Kate Winslet is so fabulous. And I'm so very happy for Jeff Bridges. Maybe it's because he didn't get a nom for Stick It.

11:31: TITANIC MUSIC.

11:30: I WILL go see Ondine just to see Colin Farrell speak in his own accent.

11:29: I would believe anything Julianne Moore said about anything, but especially nice things about Colin Firth.

11:28: Vera Farmiga seems like she's just lovely.

11:27: A lot of people say that if Jeff Bridges wins, it'll be a lifetime achievement award. I say those people haven't seen Crazy Heart. He absolutely deserves to win.

11:24: Michelle Pfeiffer looks fabulous.

11:24: Best Actor time!

11:18: Kathy Bates! I think Avatar won't translate to DVD.

11:18: James Cameron looks unhappy. Threatened? Nervous? Bored?

11:17: "I'd like to thank the Academy for not counting Na'vi as a foreign language."

11:15: Best Foreign Language Film. Quentin is high as always.

11:10: This might be happening at an after party.

11:05: Keanu Reeves! Why is he introducing The Hurt Locker?

11:05: I repeat, George is bored.

11:05: Fisher Stevens was Larry in Only You. Genius.

11:04: The Cove - it's like Whale Wars, but competent.

11:01: Documentary - having not seen any of them, I generally count on the most depressing one to win.

10:57: George is bored.

10:56: Up in the Air was so great.

10:55: That's the one Avatar had to win.

10:52: But I'm totally okay with Up winning.

10:51: As with everything, Avatar's soundtrack was fine, but Not Original. My vote: Sherlock Holmes.

10:48: Of course, I generally expect my Interpretive Oscar dance to have something to do with the music. Maybe that's just me.

10:46: I LOVE interpretive Oscar dance!

10:40: James Taylor is so classy and this is a lovely song.

10:37: Preternaturally young-looking Demi Moore gets to introduce the memorial montage. For once she's not wearing black.

10:36: ANIMATED MOVIES DON'T GET NOMINATED FOR CINEMATOGRAPHY AWARDS.

10:35: Cinematography is a tight category too. You know what I'm voting for.

10:35: What the hell kind of fabric is that dress.

10:30: I still like Inglourious Basterds a lot.

10:26: Yay! Down with Avatar! See, JC, the 3d is cool, but you can't ride it to the end!

10:26: Will it be a twofer?

10:26: Look at the viking sound editor go!

10:25: We have HOPE! The Hurt Locker beats Avatar on a technical award!

10:24: It's like a PSA for why we should care about Sound Editing.

10:22: Lots of horror movies. Quentin liked it. Also, it turns out Zac Efron is also a miniature person.

10:18: I've never seen her in anything, but I think I really like Kristen Stewart.

10:17: I love the horror movie with Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin! It's paranormal!

10:12: If anything's going to take down both Avatar and The Hurt Locker, I think it'll be Precious.

10:11: Frosted boobs!

10:10: Costume Dramas! Sandy Powell is amazing. That's a lot of look, but she rocks it.

10:08: Costume Design... Please give this one to The Young Victoria. Ugh. I cringe at SJPs dress.

10:07: "This Oscar sees you." BLAH.

10:06: Avatar wins for Art Direction. This is where the Avatar landslide starts.

10:05: Sigourney Weaver is gorgeous.

10:01: And she's eloquent again.

9:59: I have high hopes for this speech...

9:58: Mo'Nique looks ridiculously good in Precious. And she wins!

9:55: Best Supporting Actress! This is the toughest for me to call.

9:53: Huh. I'm not sure how I feel about not having the lifetime achievement award at the big event. I miss the big syrupy montages.

9:52: Queen Latifah looks radiant!

9:50: Things just got interesting... with the screenplay win, Precious makes a serious run for Best Picture gold. Shaping up to be heartbreak all around for Up in the Air.

9:49: I really need to see An Education, don't I?

9:47: I LOVE Rachel McA's dress.

9:43: Jeff Bridges is awesome. A Serious Man also looks good.

9:40: The Young Victoria was CRIMINALLY overlooked. Also, I forgot how much I liked Star Trek.

9:39: James Cameron is laughing because he knows he has to. I think it's brilliant.

9:37: YES! Ben Stiller as a Na'vi.

9:32: Gherkin Schmerkin.

9:28: Carey Mulligan shows Zoe Saldana how a young actress should dress for the Oscars. I understand ZS is wearing Givenchy, but that dress was just not a good idea.

9:25: BLESS ED ASNER! Lou Grant forever!

9:24: Up for Best Picture! Oh man, I'm going to cry again!

9:22: Macaulay Culkin has grown up to be a ten year old Steve Buscemi.

9:20: This John Hughes montage is the stuff happiness is made of.

9:17: Molly Ringwald and Matthew Broderick! It's the 80s!

9:15: The Hurt Locker - the evening starts out well for The Hurt Locker. Please note the absence of Avatar in this category.

9:14: Robert Downey, Jr. and Tina Fey. Delicious together. Best Original Screenplay! Inglourious Basterds, PLEASE!

9:09: I have that sick sinking feeling that I always get when there's a movie I really don't want to win.

9:05: District 9. I didn't realize it was set in Apartheid-y times. That makes it a little deeper than I originally thought.

9:05: T-Bone's the strong silent type.

9:04: Hooray! I'm no country fan, but i love everything about the music from that movie.

9:03: Crazy Heart! I wish it would win everything. Everything that Inglourious Basterds doesn't win, that is.

9:03: Did anyone see Paris 36? Hear of it?

9:02: Also, I'm with the Fug Girls re: Miley Cyrus needing to stand up straight. It looks like she either has scoliosis or is afraid her boobs will pop out if she stands up straight. Unforgivable.

9:01: Best song: are they not going to perform any of them?

9:00: Cut to Bradley Cooper, cue my heart to skip a beat.

8:59: UP! Hooray! Now, it would be awesome if it won Best Picture, too.

8:58: Best Animated Feature - we all agree it's going to be Up, right?

8:51: Vera Farmiga's dress sticks out two feet from her knees. You think they had to put her in the front row?

8:51: Lifetime TV for women! The Blind Side. I feel like I've seen the whole movie via clips and trailers.

8:48: Waltz!! "That's an Überbingo!" Also, I LOVE his speeches with their extended metaphors!

8:47: Stanley Tucci is SO SCARY!

8:45: Long clips!

8:44: Penelope REALLY knows how to dress herself. AND Best Supporting Actor is NOW! Waltz! Make it Waltz!

8:43: Alec is randomly rocking a Mid-Atlantic accent. Did he study up with Gomes?

8:41: She sent him "a gift basket with a timer." And he reciprocated with a "Toyota."

8:40: It's the JELLYFISH from Avatar!

8:38: Apparently goofy race jokes are de rigeur.

8:37: "Rugby and tensions between blacks and whites." ??

8:35: Meryl Streep has the most losses for Best Actress.

8:34: Steve and Alec are already the best Oscar hosts EVER.

8:34: P.S. for all you Netflix subscribers: did you know that you can watch Dr. Horrible on their website?

8:34: NPH kickline!

8:33: I dig the old-school chorus girls.

8:32: "Why does a prisoner drop the soap? No one wants to do it alone." Weird. But funny.

8:31: Neil Patrick Harris! But he said he wasn't doing it! HOORAY!

8:30: On the nose. That's a GLITTERY set. All the best actors and actresses all together. Renner dumped the model and the hotel in time for the show, I guess.

8:29: I don't know if you all are Twits or not, but Roger Ebert is seriously in love with Christoph Waltz. Check it.

8:27: Well that was uncomfortable. Now it's time for the real show.

8:26: Meryl is wearing Chris March again! Awesome! Project Runway for the win!

8:25: Kathy Ireland takes the prize for WORST INTERVIEW QUESTION EVER. "What can you share with us?" It even left GABBY without an answer.

8:23: Winslet in YSL. Lovely.

8:22: Again, I don't care about Miley cyrus, but I want her earrings. Also, I wish Kathy Ireland would relax her right arm. It looks painful.

8:21: It's the PWC geeks with their VERY IMPORTANT briefcases!

8:16: THIS WHOOPI GOLDBERG AD IS NUTS.

8:17: While we're stuck on commercial, watch this.

8:16: I will only say this once. These words have never passed my lips before: Cameron Diaz looks fabulous. Oscar de la Renta CANNOT go wrong.

8:15: SJP is TOO TAN. Also, that dude says of her dress "You should steal it." He's a closet case.

8:10: Helen Mirren and Christopher Plummer. That's a new fantasy couple. The Captain still has it.

8:08: Even the commercials are worse on ABC.

8:05: Sandra Bullock... also in Marchesa. Marchesa must make a ton of money for the Oscars. Do you think that she is a wheeler-dealer for Harvey Weinstein?

8:05: George Clooney is holding on to his girlfriend's butt.

8:04: Jake Gyllenhaal is beautiful.

8:03: Maggie's lipstick isn't my favorite color.

8:02: Anna Kendrick is a miniature person. All of the Supporting Actress nominees look good, but it's a lot of look that's going on in that booth.

8:01: Sherri Shepherd? I thought it STARTED at 8? Do I still have to WAIT?

8:00: I hope you've all switched over to ABC now. All sorts of old footage in montage.

7:53: Kate Winslet looks like a million bucks.

7:52: And there's Jeff Bridges. I wonder if Jeremy Renner is still AWOL. Also, JB's wife is gorgeous.

7:51: This also makes me like Gerard Butler a bit more.

7:49: I also don't really care about Gerard Butler. Though I might amend that if he actually does moon the Academy.

7:44: The Back-Up Plan looks hideous.

7:43: ROBERT DOWNEY, JR. LOVE LOVE LOVE. DROOL. Even with the tinted glasses and Jr. Republican haircut. I dearly, deeply love him.

7:40: Gabby looks FABULOUS. Marchesa did her proud. And she says she wants to do a movie with Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. I, too, want to go to there.

7:39: YES! Quoth the Fug Girls: "J.Lo vs Seyfried, in similar Armani! i suspect J.Lo might have thoughts about that tomorrow on GFY... -H"

7:34: Tom Ford is getting a LOT of mentions tonight. I agree that Rachel McAdams looks all kinds of fabulous. Though Dan and I both prefer her brunette.

7:31: Meryl Streep is lovely. I want to be her friend. "You were cheerleading a little bit but that's okay."

7:30: I'd like to draw your attention to this blind item. So far we seen George Clooney, Morgan Freeman, and Colin Firth. That leaves Jeremy Renner and Jeff Bridges.

7:29: Oh, I CAN'T wait to see what the Fug Girls have to say about J.Lo. and Amanda Seyfried wearing BASICALLY the same dress. I hope we get an open letter from la Lo.

7:28: Colin Firth.... He can do no wrong. But I think he's had a little tipple before showing up!

7:27: IS Clint Eastwood really that great? I've never gotten that. Also, another shot of Intern George's hair and it's a REAL mullet. However, I can't hold it against him because he was signing autographs.

7:25: In case you need it, there's a slideshow here.

7:20: Who is the Brit with the Dentyne and the terrible accent?

7:19: Charlize Theron frosted her tits for the evening.

7:18: Stanley Tucci is great. I like his beard. I like his glasses. I love him very much.

7:17: I love how tall Katheryn Bigelow is. Do we think JC was too uncomfortable with such a tall woman? What a little man.

7:16: Helen Mirren in the background!! She's so great I love her. Also, Clooney has a wavy mullet.

7:15: SJP looks wackadoo (CHANEL?!) with the biggest bun I've ever seen.

7:14: Mommy Cyrus is scary.

7:12: I've bailed on Baba Wawa because the Red Carpet is just so good. However, I just clicked over to hear about Mo'Nique's hairy legs and open marriage. Baba apparently thinks if your husband likes hairy legs, that's all that matters.

7:09: Sandra Bullock is 45?

7:07: Is Antonio Banderas playing Castro? Whither the sexy?

7:06: Fug Girls just reminded me: Carey Mulligan looks great. Also, I wish Miley Cyrus would just stay home. Not interested.

7:05: Check. Tim McGraw is in The Blind Side. I'm a bitch.

7:04: Amanda Seyfried is playing Red Riding Hood? Who's directing that? NEED TO KNOW MORE.

7:03: I just saw Penelope Cruz. Lady knows her color.

7:02: Why are Faith Hill and Tim McGraw there? It's not the CMAs.

7:01: Tyler Perry presents Tyler Perry's tux by Prada.

7:00: Sandra Bullock looks lovely. Her hair is perfect, her dress is kind of amazing. She seems nervous.

6:58: Diane Kruger is lovely and her English is great, but her dress is dreadful.

6:58: Giuliana appears to be wearing a pair of bedazzled spiderwebs on her ears.

6:55: Is Maggie G pregnant? I hate saying that, but it really kind of looked like it from the side.

6:52: Tina Fey is lovely! And Michael Kors deserves a prize for everything he's ever designed.

6:51: Two thoughts: Sandra Bullock seems to look spectacular and is presuming that she's won. Also, Diane Kruger is wearing something that looks like a bunch of cotton balls hot-glued to a sheet.

6:49: Sigourney Weaver is so much taller and better than Ryan Seacrest. Also, I love her dress. WAIT. She's POLE-DANCING in a DISNEY movie?!

6:44: Mr. Jay is wearing Tom Ford. Serendipity.

6:43: Tom Ford. Yum. But what a schmoozy mofo.

6:41: The vowel-hoggers Maggie Gyllenhaal and Peter Sarsgaard are with Ryan now. Maggie's dress is Dries van Noten, but looks like one of the prints from Jean Paul Gaultier for Target.

6:38: And Ryan Seacrest is Adiosing someone else to talk to someone more important again. This time "bye, Jason Reitman, I have to kowtow to James Cameron," who is wearing a pocket square in "Na'vi Blue." I bet he picked out his wife's dress color too.

6:36: Tina Fey is here! Looking fabulous. I hope Alec Baldwin calls her Lemon from the stage.

6:35: "She's a chick that's halfway like a dude... I mean that as a compliment." Is that code for "lesbian?"

6:34: Please alert Michael Scott that they have released the PT Cruiser Couture Edition.

6:30: James Cameron has arrived. He's had a haircut and flatiron treatment. In other news, Vera Farmiga (in Marchesa) is lovely. Her dress may be fabulous, but E! only gives us tight shots. WTF.

6:28: WHY DOESN'T RYAN ASK ABOUT THE DESIGNERS? Also, it's kind of cool that they have a DJ, but couldn't they do better than Joel Madden?

6:27: Zoe Saldana! That dress is CRAZY. Love it. She's seriously had the PR speech about motion-capture memorized, then. Did James Cameron hand out talking points?

6:13: You know, I'm proud of Giuliana. She looks a little less skeletal than she did at the GGs.

6:12: What's Mo'Nique wearing on her head? Oh, and Zoe Saldana has arrived wearing something CRAZY. Enter the crazies.

6:10: Ryan Seacrest clearly wants to be talking to Mo'Nique and not Anna Kendrick all of a sudden.

6:09: There is Anna Kendrick! It's ... pink and frilly. Also, Mariska Hargitay showed up!

6:06: Welcome! We're getting started now! Looks like we're getting started with a bang - Anna Kendrick is there. From the two inches we got to see, it looks like a Mother of the Bride special... scary. Happy to see that Giuliana is actually not ON the Red Carpet. And they put a tent between her and the carpet! Hooray!

Liveblogging the Golden Globes: Red Carpet Edition

11:01: And with that, good night, lovelies.

11:00: The show ends on time for once. All in all VERY bland. No one too excited or too funny or anything. Meh. The Oscars will be better. They have to be.

10:58: He's like James May crossed with Mrs. Bates.

10:57: I DO NOT LIKE JAMES CAMERON. WHAT A SLIMY SMUG LUMP.

10:56: ARE THEY FREAKING KIDDING ME? I thought it was pretty generally accepted that Avatar is a kind of bad movie with good effects... surely the Academy won't do this too... right? RIGHT?!

10:56: Also, I didn't think that's where Julia Roberts's McCartney joke was going...

10:55: Dan thinks Precious. I think Up in the Air.

10:54: ROD BLAGOJEVICH (sp?) is going to be on the CELEBRITY APPRENTICE? The world may end.

10:52: Which film is going to win!? Avatar, The Hurt Locker, Inglourious Basterds, Precious, or Up In The Air?

10:50: Colin Farrel's eyebrows are related to Martin Scorsese's. Perhaps they're Scorsese's eyebrows' illegitimate Irish eyebrow-children.

10:49: Aren't they all supposed to be sloshed by now?

10:46: What a great category! I'm a little surprised by Jeff Bridges's win, but he's great.

10:46: Kate Winslet! Another classic asymmetrical dress.

10:43: In case you weren't properly in awe:

• Streep holds the record for the most Academy Award nominations of any actor, having been nominated 15 times since her first nomination in 1979 for The Deer Hunter (12 for Best Actress and 3 for Best Supporting Actress).
• Meryl Streep is the most nominated performer for a Golden Globe Award (she has 25 nominations as of 2009) and is also tied with Jack Nicholson and Angela Lansbury for most Golden Globes overall by an actor or actress (seven wins). Streep has received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
• In 2003, she was awarded an honorary César Award by the French Académie des Arts et Techniques du Cinéma. In 2004 at the Moscow International Film Festival, Meryl Streep was honored with the Stanislavsky Award for the outstanding achievement in the career of acting and devotion to the principles of Stanislavsky's school.In 2004, Streep received the AFI Life Achievement Award.
• In 2009, she was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts by Princeton University.^[40]
• In 2010, She was awarded A Golden Globe for Best Actress in Julie and Julia

10:40: RDJ! Huzzah! He forgot his tie.

10:39: This is seriously a parade of "I wanted to see that movie." I need to make a SERIOUS new year's resolution to see more MOVIES for goodness sake.

10:36: Sandra Bullock. Yay happy for her but that dress is HEEEEEDIOUS. Oh, and I wanted to hear Gabourey Sidibe's acceptance speech.

10:35: Best Actress, DRAMA. We're getting serious now, people.

10:34: Arnie is plugging some movie called Abida. Sounds good.

10:27: I want to see The Hangover. ANDY IS SINGING.

10:13: My current celebrity top-5 (provisional, in no particular order): Johnny Depp, Colin Firth, Robert Downey Jr., Ralph Fiennes, Bradley Cooper. What's yours?

10:20: I love how the TV crowd always dresses like this is the Oscars. I guess it is the Oscars of TV. But still.

10:19: Glee. I guess I have to watch it now?

10:18: Of COURSE James Cameron calls his wife baby.

10:16: Could they not get Celine Dion to sing the Avatar song too?

10:15: That was a FUNNY Mel Gibson joke. Though Mel Gibson actually drunk is funnier than Mel Gibson pretending to be drunk.

10:12: Jodi Foster. She also chopped her hair.

10:11: Commercial Break. Dan's current celebrity top-5 (provisional, in no particular order): Christina Hendricks, Helen Mirren, Gillian Anderson, Thea Gilmore, Jennifer Connelly.

10:07: George Lucas, you are not as good as Scorsese. That's what that closeup was saying. "SEE! You're sitting down! He's getting a prize!"

10:04: Seriously, I hope RDJ isn't back on the coke.

10:03: It's handy when they incorporate a trailer for your new film into the montage for your lifetime achievement award.

9:58: Scorsese looks like he might cry. As usual. Also, his eyebrows have a life of their own.

9:56: Leonardo DiCaprio is taller than I thought/Robert DeNiro is shorter than I thought.

9:50: Ent ve hafe anozer Tscherman. This one doesn't have a ridiculous accent though.

9:49: I'm SO glad Halle Berry has that amazing hot short hair again. Not sure about her dress, though.

9:48: Ricky Gervais is still drinking that beer. He's not as drunk as he promised.

9:47: Chloe Sevigny's dress is wackadoo crazy.

9:45: I'll say it again: I don't care about Taylor Lautner.

9:39: And The Hamm is on stage too! AND PETE HAS MAD ROOTS! Bad orange highlights!

9:38: So many good dramas nominated. I don't get House being perpetually nominated... Mad Men is okay by me! And we get to see Christina Hendricks again!

9:37: Amy Poehler is lovely. Nice dress, too.

9:36: ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER IS AUSTRIAN NOT GERMAN.

9:35: Ze Tschermans are vinning zis price. "Wis my liddle English and my chetlack..."

9:33: Sophia Loren! May we all age with such grace. (Even half as gracefully.) (Of course, if we could all say "Thank you so much" with that much SEX in those few words, then we wouldn't have to be graceful.)

9:31: ANNA Paquin! What is GOING ON with your feet?! I secretly love your Blanche Devereaux-style, shiny dress, but I cannot ABIDE those shoes!

9:28: I love the Ernst & Young dudes. Most glamorous accountants in the world.

9:27: What previously scheduled charity event was Alec Baldwin at? The Snowball's Chance in Hell Annual Dinner?

9:26: That's settled. Jennifer Garner NEEDS to gain some weight ASAP.

9:25: Dan says I'm the diesel for his creative SUV.

9:24: So will Up in the Air take this as an opportunity to run away with all the rest of the awards or will they be cursed with "Great screenplay, but we're not going to give it the other awards?" I don't KNOW!

9:22: Gerard Butler is foxy. And You can see Jennifer Aniston's WHOLE LEG UP TO THE HIP in that dress.

9:21: Ricky Gervais is back again. And the camera crew is having ISH.

9:20: Cameron Diaz is NOT traditionally my favorite. But that's a pretty dress and I like the accessories.

9:14: Drew Barrymore: Adorable, kind of crazy dress, as usual. At least she did her hair this year.

9:12: Kevin Bacon! At least it wasn't for Hollow Man.

9:11: I was on the fence about Zoe Saldana's dress earlier, but think I might love it now.

9:10: I still haven't seen Precious, but need to, clearly.

9:08: Helen Mirren is so absurdly, ridiculously hot.

9:01: Meryl Streep (and Julia Child!) win! Hooray! "I want to change my name to T-Bone. T-Bone Streep." I think she was more like her real self in the dial tone scene of Adaptation than in any other role.

9:00: I almost choked at the sight of Marion Cotillard's diamond ring. Is she engaged? Married? Holy crap six carats.

8:59: And Ricky Gervais has gotten to the "Is it hot in here" phase of intoxication.

8:58: I am in love with Stanley Tucci. Also, Meryl Streep looks divine!

8:56: Hooray for talking over the play-off music. At least they're not lowering the mic this year.

8:54: Grey Gardens for the win! Boring acceptance speech, though. They should always let the actors do it.

8:53: Let's settle this once and for all - Amy Adams's dress? Green or black?

8:47: Seriously, that is a crazy corset under Cher's crazy-ass dress. Of course it's not this, but it's still wacky.

8:46: The Edge! The Edge is there! Related reading: http://bit.ly/5ZbZ49

8:45: Me: I think Cher is actually a drag queen.
Dan: She's going to end up looking like Michael Jackson.
Me: But she still looks like herself. She has good doctors.

8:44: Oh, Paul McCartney, you asked for it.

8:41: Tracie over at Jezebel says, "Not that she cares, but I like when Julianna Margulies wears her hair curly." Me too, Tracie.

8:36: Juliana Margulies stopped to kiss Dr. Ross. (And, Yeah, that dress will rip.)

8:35: I love January Jones, but WHAT is she wearing. That is not a question.

8:33: Aww, Michael C. Hall... I like him so much and his cancer makes me so sad. But he wins! Yay! It's PREPOSTEROUS that he didn't ever win for Six Feet Under. Also, I would have committed murder to see him in Cabaret.

8:31: Now we're drinking cocktails made with cranberry goop, pureed clementines, and champagne. Delish.

8:30: Felicity Huffman is all verklemmt. But her dress is kind of amazing.

8:21: Coraline! Coraline Coraline Coraline! That's my vote. Yeah, but no. It's Up.

8:20: Paul McCartney is wearing a weird scarf. Also, you'd think in between all his eyebrow lifts they would have done his jowls.

8:17: I guess John Lithgow was the killer on that season of Dexter. Hm. Wait - he WON something for Third Rock from the Sun?

8:12: They do get those first couple awards out of the way very quickly. I also love the schmoozing shots when they go to commercial.

8:10: Best actress in comedy TV: I want Tina Fey to win, but.... it's Toni Collette.

8:09: Looks like Gaby has those cool foil nails.

8:06: Mo'Nique wins... do we see big things for Precious? As long as Gabourey Sidibe wins and we get to see her do an acceptance speech I don't care about the others.

8:06: Nominations, in case you missed them.

8:05: Nicole Kidman is wearing a pale flesh toned gown, as always. At least she's got red hair.

8:04: Shame Angelina isn't there to glower.

8:02: Cue penis jokes.

8:00: Switching to NBC, show is starting right on time. Does anyone know what the Golden Globes music is? They always play that tune. Bracing myself for Ricky Gervais to say something embarrassing.

7:59: Courteney Cox with an exposed zipper! I kind of like it!

7:55: Can someone tell me how Guiliana Rancic (Dan says rancid) got famous? Her wikipedia page doesn't help me understand.

7:53: Jane Krakowski is Jenna.

7:52: Pregnant Amy Adams is lovely.

7:52: Christina Hendricks is wearing CHRISTIAN SIRIANO! Happiness explosion! I love her red hair, I love her red lips, I love her peachy dress. I'd also get a little wild with Meryl Streep. Christina, please invite me to that party.

7:47: Oof. Jezebel has an image of Jennifer Garner where you can see ribs above boobs. SO thin.

7:46: Guiliana's "George, I have Anna Kendrick" is the new Ryan running down the carpet after Brangelina. P.S. Anna Kendrick's Marchesa is crazy, but kind of fun.

7:43: Ryan Seacrest is talking to Tobey Maguire, who is VERY SKINNY. All these skinny men. On a brighter note, Dan said menwholooklikeoldlesbians.com when Paul McCartney came on camera. Hilarious.

7:42: Tracy Morgan apparently "broke away from the black." Thank you, Mr. Jay.

7:35: Did Heidi split the seam in her dress? Why is she holding on to her butt otherwise? Also it's not Klumm. It's Klooooom. Oh, she's so German! "I'm not going to tell you! People have to follow along for themselves!"

7:34: Had everyone else already forgotten about the Writer's Strike and the year of No Golden Globes?

7:34: Kate Hudson always wears white. I think there's a joke about being always a bridesmaid, etc... in there.

7:33: Courteney Cox is skinny. Love her earrings. Hate the word cougar. Cougar cougar cougar.

7:31: I don't care about Taylor Lautner.

7:30: Jon Hamm continues the publicity tour to prove to us that he's actually fratty. I like the beard. Manly. Like Darwin. http://bit.ly/7NBTZt

7:28: Looks like Keith Urban borrowed Nicole's straightener for tonight, as always. I'm afraid he's going to turn into Billy Ray.

7:27: Ryan, the rain is not causing havoc. And yes, Jennifer Garner looks fit and fabulous.

7:26: Reviewing what I missed while cooking: I long to ask Quentin Tarantino about the "trip" he "took" with Brad Pitt, but off camera.

7:22: Memo to Ryan Seacrest: Harvey Weinstein wasn't that into that hug. That can't help your career, buddy.

7:21: Toni Collette = gorgeous. Mr. Jay and I disagree about Emily Blunt's gown, however.

7:20: I love Amy Adams's shoes with her dress, but prefer her hair when it's curly.

7:19: I understand Robert Downey Jr. got really buff for Sherlock, but isn't he getting a little thin?

7:19: If I drink Angel Rose, will my boobs get bigger?

7:18: Mariah Carey brought her boobs. Did she get implants? I mean, she's beautiful, but something is very ... top-heavy about her. I think maybe the shoulder scaffolding might be throwing it off, somehow, but wow. Just wow. Maybe the shoulders are actually for support.

7:14: Tonight can't be just about the movies. That's right, Penelope.

7:11: To return to our normal programming for a moment, the fried rice we're eating is delicious and was made (thanks to a brilliant suggestion by Liz) from the leftover filling from the dumplings I made yesterday. Look forward to a big Asian-ish blog post soon.

7:09: "I'm not like Puff Daddy. I hold my own umbrella." Penelope Cruz, you SLAY me. Also, ballsy enough to pin the Haiti ribbon on her dress. Not that any designer is going to get pissed at Penelope freaking CRUZ.

7:07: Ok, I just saw the bottom of Marion Cotillard's dress. I most emphatically do not approve. Also, RYAN is letting us DOWN not asking abou tthe dresses.

7:06: Ryan Seacrest is with Tina Fey now! Tina Fey Tina Fey Tina Fey! She's rooting for Glee. Like everyone.

7:04: Chloe Sevigny does not disappoint. Big freaking ruffles and crazyface.

7:02: TINA FEY. IT's like LAUGH IN! But I love that she's carrying her own umbrella.

7:01: Steve Carrell is a little bit more earnest than his English counterpart.

7:00: Marion Cotillard - lovely as always. (And we're back from our dinner-cooking break! We're eating fried rice!) Also, Stephen Moyer and Anna Paquin, SO CUTE! To think I was only about ten feet away from her once and didn't manage to meet her. - P.S. HOW did Ryan not ask about Anna Paquin's dress?

6:37: Do we have time for Emily Blunt?! YES! Ooh, not so sure about the dress, though.

6:36: Sandra bullock looks exactly how you'd expect. Christina Hendricks looks SPECTACULAR, though the color of her dress is a little clashy with the fair fair skin.

6:34: Neil Patrick Harris is adorable. What he really wants to do is direct. Also, E! needs to figure out their cameras. Too many different shots and too many shots of CAMERAS.

6:33: I kind of love Glam Cam 360. Kyra Sedgwick does look really good in that dress.

6:32: The big love girls clearly didn't want to talk to Giuliana, so they talked to each other.

6:30: So many people in dresses they can't walk in!

6:29: Peggy Olsen (Elisabeth Moss) has bangs! And is wearing Amsale! Wedding chic. Aw, and cute story about meeting her husband on SNL.

6:28: Mickey Rourke is there, with a young Russian woman and a weird Cowboy-Fedora. Ooh, and snakeskin lapels. Also, Maggie Gyllenhaal has arrived and is wearing a beautiful color!

6:23: CAREY MULLIGAN YOU ARE ADORABLE!

6:22: Ricky Gervais has ARRIVED. He seems determined to get in trouble. I hope he's not bluffing.

6:21: Did Jane Lynch just say "Where is that fucker?!"

6:20: Jane Lynch, very PRETTY! But what gives with the wrinkles! Also, where is her girlfriend? I want to see!

6:18: Giuliana has an eating disorder, right?

6:16: Brief glimpse of Glenn Close! She looks so good! And of course there's a ribbon to remember Haiti. Thanks Lisa Edelstein.

6:13: If you feel like opting out of the commercials provided to you, join us watching The Most Interesting Man in the World: http://bit.ly/2D1xN1

6:08: Commercial break: here are some other live blogs to follow, if you don't find me entertaining enough: http://bit.ly/5fIGrt, http://bit.ly/5fIGrt http://bit.ly/4pGJ6r

6:04: Jennifer Morrision: your boyfriend did NOT get you a good Christmas present. SERIOUSLY.

6:03: "We're not M&M's... we're not gonna die! Sofia Vergara. I don't know who you are, Sofia, but I love you

6:02: It's RAINING in LA. Just discussed with my sister how it must be the hardest job for a PA - "hold my umbrella, but stay out of the picture!). Also, looking forward to another brilliant performance by Ryan Seacrest (If you don't know why I'm looking forward to him making an ass of himself, look here: http://bit.ly/7q6NSx). I'm with the Fug Girls, hoping he chases someone down the red carpet.

December, Day 9: Liveblogging Top Chef Finale!

10:59 PM: When's the next season?

10:58 PM: Well, that was obvious. He was obviously really great all the way through. Crazy creative, absurdly talented, but I just don't like him, don't really like the sound of a lot of his food, and think he should have been nicer to his brother.

10:57 PM: Brothers are the last two standing. Bryan is STILL so much nicer.

10: 56 PM: Moment of Truth: NO! Poor Kevin.

10:55 PM: Kevin's the fan favorite! Shocking.

10:52 PM: Anyway, back to me. Drinks are fairly settled, but what about the food? Should I make sugar cookies? More of the apricot almond pine nut cookies? Something entirely new? I'm thinking about making a gougeres ring or maybe a couple tomato & mozzarella tarts, or maybe cheese fondue for something savory. Any suggestions for finger food for 25? I'm not afraid of new/difficult things, but need a couple of EASY fallbacks... Tell me!

10:51 PM: COME ON, you can't knock Kevin for his mushroom and not tear Michael a new one for screwing up the cake! Michael's going to win. BLEH.

10:50 PM: Michael fails! Bryan wins! Kevin's falling flat.

10:49 PM: Michael, Michael, Michael.

10:48 PM: I NEED to own the table where the chefs sit around talking while they're being judged. Also, Michael says "none of us were stoked about what we did in the kitchen." Read: "I screwed up."

10:47 PM: Michael sucks.

10:46 PM: Michael's matsutakes were good, apparently. Lots of layers. Tom LOVES and has LOVED Michael the whole time. At least he admits the cake was overdone. It's like they're making excuses for him because they already think he's going to win.

10:45 PM: Kevin's chicken skin and squash wins. Pork belly FAIL, though. Uh-oh.

10:44 PM: Bryan's restraint is not a fault. Venison was "a story of my style." Sounds like it was tasty, though.

10:42 PM: Guest list for Saturday's little shindig is up to 24. I haven't yet planned the menu. St. Cecilia's Society Punch, Glühwein, etc. to drink.

10:40 PM: $125,000 on the line. Michael's nervous, Kevin's feeling good, Bryan's confident. I think Bryan will win, but I WANT Kevin to win. The brothers are just to froufy. I like Kevin's good, honest food. The others may be extremely well trained and brilliant and all that, but I think Kevin's got really good instincts.

10:38 PM: If you're still bored during the commercials go here and see why I want a "private writer's residence."

10:36 PM: Michael says, "me me me me me." Also, careful editing makes it very unclear who's in the lead. I'm also kind of sad that they've scaled back the finale. I miss the days of the hoedown, cooking in a barn for 400 people finales. That being said, it feels like they got more serious chefs and decided to give them a more serious challenge and more serious surroundings. Nice.

10:34 PM: Kevin: Bacon in his dessert, but was it enough? Michael: they are ON to you! Good pumpkin seeds, though. Uh oh: almost very good. Bryan: Cheesecake was pleasant, finessed, fig sorbet! Win: Bryan.

10:34 PM: Time for chaos in the kitchen: Michael has OVER COOKED his cakes, people!

10:32 PM: Kevin: pork with pork. I like it. Bryan: talent, delicious, pungent. Michael: excellent squab, mushrooms were gimmicky, though. Kevin: undercooked pork, good sauce, but Tom is scowling.

10:31 PM: Kevin: good broth, bad mushroom. Bryan: underseasoned curry, bland plating, well-cooked fish. But it's safe! Don't bore the judges. Michael: squash + lemon = win. Win: Michael.

10:30 PM: I kind of love Southern pride. You know, the nice kind.

10:28 PM: Bryan! Underseasoning! Oh no! Michael's prawn undercooked! Noooooo! Fried broccoli interesting, though. Win: Kevin.

10:27 PM: Kevin: Southern fried chicken with squash & tomatoes. Bryan: Tuna noodle casserole via sardines. Michael: Cream of dehydrated broccoli. He wins for creativity. But weird.

10:23 PM: "My mom's never eaten a sardine before." Snob.

10:22 PM: If you're looking to kill some time during commercials, go here, where Jess gives you a little peek at the life of a grad student. Except we don't all come through so gracefully.

10:20 PM: Did Michael bleach his hair for the finale? What's that about? He's bringing N'sync to the kitchen.

10:18 PM: Mystery box - matsutake, rockfish, meyer lemon, and squash? Whaa? Also, did you all see the big new sous vide machine that's on the market? Want. Also, YES cook the fish in duckfat, Kevin. Badass.

10:17 PM: I like Bryan SO much better than Michael. But dude. If I were a tenth as organized as these guys...

10:16 PM: FOURTH course inspired by favorite childhood dish! Thank you, Tom!

10:14 PM: How could Kevin and his mom be cuter?

10:13 PM: Aww, it's their moms! Are they going to have to sous as well? But that could be awfully tricky with the bros.

10:12 PM: One thing I really like about Top Chef: they all sit around and discuss how they can divide up kitchen space - so collegial.

10:11 PM: Just looking at the menu for Cyrus to pass the time during the commercials - what's with Red Wine Risotto? Have you tried it? Is it any good? I'm inclined to say ewww. But then I've been wrong before.

10:10 PM: Favorite tweet of the day - I just remembered because of the M&M commercial: "Well, my Xmas present to Jessica went bust: M&M wouldn't let me put Lagerfeld and Wintour's faces on M&Ms. GFY HQ is a sad place today. -H" @fuggirls

10:09 PM: WHO WAS AT THE DOOR? Either Tom or Padma, I'm guessing. Surprise quickfire?

10:08 PM: Bryan = captain obvious. "It's going to come down to execution." REALLY.

10:06 PM: They're cooking at Cyrus. Oh, and it's Iron Chef Top Chef! Mystery box!

10:04 PM: Aaand here come the old chefs. My picks: Jennifer and Eli. NOT ROBYN.

10:03 PM: Not judging Padma for being pregnant, but what is WITH her wardrobe the last couple episodes?! Also, do we like her bangs?

10:02 PM: Bryan and Michael are really kind of mean to each other. I'm rooting for Kevin.

10:01 PM: Now I have to actually figure out how to tell the brothers apart.

Liveblogging Turkey Day

6:02 PM - Mission accomplished.

3:09 PM - First rounds of eights out of the oven. Fluffy and delicious.

2:51 PM - Turkey done, stuffing done, corn souffle done, first round of eights in the oven, gravy done.

1:56 PM - Beans blanched, ginger grated, bacon being chopped, turkey at 140°, stuffing and corn casserole in oven, potatoes for mashing on the stove. Eights rising.

1:11 PM - T-2 hours, approximately. Potatoes being peeled, beans being blanched, turkey still in oven. For me: last minute snack to take the edge off so that I don't nibble from now until dinner. Leftover shepherd's pie from last night should do the trick.

12:44 PM - Corn Souffle, stuffing ready to go. Eights cut/formed/ready to rise. Now cleaning up, then starting the green beans.

12:12 PM - Time to make eights!

12:00 PM - Turkey breasts IN

11:45 AM - Using a lull in cooking time (pecan pie in oven) to set my mom up with her own blog (finally). Details TBD.

10:30 AM - Roasting the turkey on a bed of celery to keep it off the bottom and give the stock good flavor.

10:11 AM - Executive decision to add apple to the stuffing.

10:03 AM - Getting a bit of a late start with the liveblogging today - I woke at 8 to the smell of onions and celery cooking down in butter (the start of the stuffing). After trundling downstairs and waking myself up a little more, we had Yukon Gold Cinnamon Rolls (best cinnamon roll recipe ever - like a certain unnamed mall chain, but without the sickly sweetness and the chemically after taste). After breakfast, things shift into a higher gear - stuffing being assembled (onion + celery + mix + lots of mushrooms), homemade dark turkey stock coming out of the fridge for stuffing and, eventually, gravy. Corn 'souffle' being mixed up (that's a recipe that you'll be seeing soon). Philosophical discussion of eggs in stuffing (mom says no, her grandma said yes). Last night was a thanksgiving prep orgy: dough for 'eights' (potato dinner rolls), cinnamon rolls, pie crust for pecan pie, orange pieapple fluff.

Liveblogging the Inauguration

9:10 PM: Jason Wu, apparently...

8:32 PM: THERE IT IS! The dress! It's light yellow? Cream? Maybe ruffly? In any case, its details don't stand up amazingly well to harsh onstage lighting.

4:11 PM: "Tell us Soledad O'Brien... Michelle was walking in those high heels. What is that like?" Ugh.

2:52 PM: So, it was Teddy.

2:44 PM: Good grief... Wolf just called Nancy Pelosi Dianne Feinstein. So, since toasts are still going on, the collapsed Senator must be okay.

2:43 PM: Oh, shit. Maybe it was Ted Kennedy instead?

2:42 PM: A Senator collapsed in the Statuary Hall lunch. We don't know who, yet. Maybe Robert Byrd.

2:38 PM: It's The Moment on CNN! The "Synth!" Kind of cool, but utterly useless on TV. I imagine in person it would be cooler.

2:30 PM: This is entirely unrelated, but this commercial made me inexplicably happy. Link to video.

2:25 PM: CNN has finally noticed whitehouse.gov. That took long enough.

2:19 PM: In case you missed THE HAT, here's video.

2:14 PM: I'm just looking at the new whitehouse.gov and I've got to say the agenda points are inspiring. Also, on The Blog there are a ton of posts from 12:01 PM, the first minute they could post on behalf of President Obama. Very happy-making.

2:06 PM: Also, what the hell is up wiht CNN prattling on constantly about Reagan?

2:02 PM: A note: Yes, it is remarkable that a black man has been elected president. But perhaps more important is that it is this particular black man. What if it were a war-mongering, neocon, bad man and not this specific, intelligent, young, progressive, fabulous man?

Also, unrelatedly, I hate when journalists interview college students and say "What was the ... coolest ... part of this for you?" Ugh. How condescending and disingenuous.

1:54 PM: Was Bush's daughter actually wearing leggings and a metallic mini? Because it kind of looked like it when she was just boarding un-Air Force 1.

1:49 PM: OOH! More CNN exclusive technology! SATELLITE PHOTOS FROM SPACE! A 3D photo compilation of the President at the moment of his address! Woo! Sad no hologram, though. I do respect CNN for getting Q to work for them.

1:39 PM: Alice Walker had advice for the President:

"We are used to seeing men in the White House become juiceless and as white-haired as the building; we notice their wives and children looking strained and stressed. They soon have smiles so lacking in joy that they remind us of scissors. This is no way to lead. Nor does your family deserve this fate. One way of thinking about all this is: it is so bad now that there is no excuse not to relax. From your happy, relaxed state, you can model real success, which is only what so many people in the world really want."

Full quote at Jezebel.

1:35 PM: CNN has Colin Powell right now. I don't respect all the decisions he's ever made, but I am still really pleased and grateful that he so eloquently and forcefully endorsed Obama.

1:30 PM: 1. Anderson Cooper just had to correct himself from saying "Barack Obama" to saying "President Obama."
2. I still can't *quite* believe that Obama got elected. It's almost too good to be true.

1:28 PM: Vice President Joseph R Biden and Dr. Biden! (It's terrible that I didn't know she was a Dr., probably.)

1:27 PM: Aww... bipartisan seating chart at the Congress lunch. Rahm Emanuel seated with the McCains!

1:13 PM: Sullivan's whole post "Hello to all this" is really good and hits the nail on the head. Also, it has full text of the address.

1:11 PM: This photo, via Andrew Sullivan, is great on a lot of fronts.
1. Lincoln Bible. Looks pretty good. Bound in red velvet, silver metal frame, heavily gilded edges, I've heard.
2. Look at those gorgeous gloves!
3. Obama's ring is cool!

1:09 PM: There's Al! I love that big meaty Tennessean.

1:05 PM: Facebook status update roundup time:
"every time cnn says "former president bush" it makes me happier."
"Has the whitehouse.gov site changed design? I quite like it."
"Awesomeness reigns at last."
"[X] is gettting back to Bar Study. Seems like a let down. But the Pres would want me to be responsible!"
"[X] is finally proud to be an American."
"[X] is transfixed by the sense of history happening around her this day."

1:03 PM: Obama signing nomination papers! He looks so little in that big chair! Also, according to Wolf Blitzer, his penmanship is excellent and has "a little flourish."

1:02 PM: Jeebus. Can fox news not get over Clinton? He's NOT slimy!

12:58 PM: Photos via Jezebel:
Gothic: Dick Cheney
Chipper: Bill
Frackin' Cylon: John McCain

12:56 PM: Not to spoil the happy tone of the day, I'm a little pissed that they're delaying Hillary's confirmation for a day. WTF gives? She's going to get confirmed anyway...

12:55 PM: Of the Bidens and Obamas standing together watching the old regime depart, wjh says, "they are wearing the german colors together!!"

12:52 PM: Michelle fashion update: the gauzy bits are actually ties on the jacket - repeat - the jacket ties in the front. AND a scarf underneath. All impeccably matched to the brocadey fabric of the dress and jacket. They're calling it "maize-colored," but it's almost mustard-y and a little metallic. Also, I've decided that it is elaborate beading at the neck, not a necklace.

12:50 PM: Obama walking Bush out of the Capitol now. Obama's face says, "Ciao, sucker!" Bidens/Cheneys looking much more cordial. Oh, and Jill Biden's gorgeous red coat makes my knees weak.

12:49 PM: Ohhhh, Roberts screwed up the oath, not Obama. Probably an elaborate Bush-camp ploy to make the inauguration unconstitutional.

12:45 PM: Michelle's suit is by Isabel Toledo. Cuban-American designer who headed up Anne Klein for a couple years. The suit is really pretty - lovely textured fabric and the color is gorgeous on her, but not on almost anyone else. I also like the gauzy bits around the neck (attached? a separate scarf?). Note: both Michelle and Laura Bush are wearing suits with long jackets (same length of the shift underneath) and no lapels. Almost funnel necked in LB's case.

12:43 PM: Cute picture of Sasha and Malia.

12:40 PM: Back to the important things: is that thing at the top of Michelle's dress a necklace or some elaborate beading on the dress itself?

12:38 PM: Biden just took a picture for Malia! Awwww....

12:37 PM: "When black will not be asked to get back, when brown can stick around, when yellow will be mellow, and when the red man can get ahead, man."

12:36 PM: "Tanks will be beaten into tractors"

12:35 PM: Rev. Dr. Joseph Lowery's benediction is pretty great. We will "turn to each other and not on each other ... we will make choices on love and not hate, on inclusion and not exclusion, on tolerance and not intolerance."

12:31 PM: Obama's face has changed since he took the oath... kind of a transformative moment, I guess. He looks less nervous, more self-assured in his (HIS!) power, now. He looks very calm, whereas while he took the oath and just before, his face was a little shaky, his chin wrinkling a little to contain overflowing emotion.

12:30 PM: Edifices is not an easy word to say.

12:29 PM: Elizabeth Alexander is on message: things to repair, children in school, power of language, curiosity beyond our own borders.

12:27 PM: What a damn good speech. And I'm happy to report that Bush looks sheepish. Cheney is wearing a fedora and managed to stand up for a handshake. By the way, how gothic is it (to steal my sister's word) that he showed up in a wheelchair? My first thought was, "What, now that he's off the hook we can actually see how weak he is?"

12:25 PM: "In this winter of our hardship..." He's literate! And articulate!

12:23 PM: Oooh good rhetoric: "These things are old. These things are true."

12:22 PM: Katrina reference followed up by an economic reference. Good parenting, all good things. It's an Aaron Sorkin inspired "Ask not..."

12:20 PM: "We will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist."

12:19 PM: "We will not apologize for our way of life and we will not waver in its defense." Kind of hawkish, but sounds nicer coming from someone who has really benefited from the good parts of our way of life. I.e. that our country makes room for things like constitutional amendments and the civil rights movement. It's not another oil-fat straight old white man vowing to fight the little guy.

12:18 PM: Has it occurred to you all that we can be happy about reading the news now? Bush can't do any more harm!

12:17 PM: "Founding fathers?" Didn't he used to say Founding Parents?

12:16 PM: Economic regulation! Yay!

12:14 PM: Science! Renewable energy! Education! Hooray!

12:13 PM: A mention of American innovation and inventiveness. "We must begin the work of remaking America." I've missed his rhetoric over the last couple months.

12:13 PM: "They saw America as greater than the sum of our individual ambitions."

12:11 PM: "Greatness is never a given. It must be earned."

12:10 PM: "The time has come to set aside childish things."

12:09 PM: So very happy. "Less measurable, but no less profound is a sapping of confidence across the country." "The challenges are real and they are many. They will not be met easily, but know this, America, they will be met."

12:07 PM: For all you geeks out there, I thought I'd share the text of the last inauguration we were all happy about:

"I, Laura Roslin, do now avow and affirm that I take the office of President of the Twelve Colonies of Kobol, without any moral reservation or mental evasion that I will protect and defend the articles of colonization with every fiber of my being."

Compare to:

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

12:06 PM: Hell, yeah. Little bumpy in the recitation, but I think we can put that down to emotion.

12:02 PM: No Oath, yet, but congrats, President Obama.

11:59 AM: JOHN WILLIAMS? When they first announced Itzhak Perlman and Anthony McGill (clarinet), I was hoping for some Presidential klezmer.

11:58 AM: Joooooooooe!

11:57 AM: They'd better make it snappy. Obama becomes pres at noon, oath or no.

11:56 AM: Here's a good article about past Inaugural prayers.

11:54 AM: I never much liked "My Country 'tis of Thee" before. Maybe politics just needed a little soul...

11:52 AM: Is the Lord's Prayer traditional at these things?

11:50 AM: That water carafe next to Obama is a Crate & Barrel design.

11:49 AM: "You are loving to everyone you have made." That's surprisingly inclusive.

11:48 AM: Bracing for Rick Warren - only a smattering of applause... very little. Is that because it's Rick Warren, or because people don't clap for a prayer?

11:47 AM: "Real and necessary change." "Renewed call to greatness."

11:45: Dianne Feinstein. "Peaceful transition of power" mentioned for about the 73rd time today. It is pretty awesome, of course.

11:42 AM: All the bigshots walking out now. Obama with assorted Congress leaders (yay Nancy!). As a sidenote: "Hail to the chief" was composed circa 1821, based on some verses from "The Lady in the Lake" by Sir Walter Scott. It was made the President's official theme tune in 1954.

11:41 AM: He's using the Lincoln Bible - it apparently hasn't been used *since* Lincoln's inauguration... not bad.

11:36 AM: Also: Michelle O's gloves! Olive leather!

11:27 AM: Could Aretha Franklin be any cooler? What a killer hat.

11:22 AM: Wow. There's a moving van at the White House even now. Kind of awesome.

11:06 AM: "That will be the last time they play 'Hail to the Chief' for Bush."

10:15 AM: Guess who isn't President anymore!!