Candice Bergen | 02/22/2009 10:35 am
Candice Bergen Live Blogs Oscar Night
Thank God I’m not in LA. That’s one thing. To be in LA during Oscar Week is some teeny kind of hell. Well, unless you’re nominated and then it’s some sweet kind of chaotic incessant insane physical maintenance/psychological waterboard thing. OK. That was too glib. But you get the idea. Not that I would know because the one time I was nominated, it was for best supporting actress for a film called, "Starting Over" and I was up against Meryl Streep for "Kramer vs Kramer". Since our site is for the older demographic, I assume some of you might have heard of one of these movies. In any case, needless to say, I lost to Meryl. That award is always given early so it was quite nice to kick back and enjoy the show except for my mom, who was my date, who kept nattering loudly about fashion faux pas.
Which brings me to my next point: how very much I MISS the legendary fashion faux pas. Oh GOD such a loss, now that everyone — including the guys — has a stylist. Except for one I’m sure we can count on to titillate with his fashion choices, Mickey Roarke, who may bring a chihuahua as an evening bag … and, who may very likely win.
| Maybe it's too soon to retire. This is a great job ... the older I get, the more miraculous it all seems. |
What I mean is, in the Old Days, no one ever had a stylist. Didn’t happen. And no one lent or gave outfits. Almost never. You were on your own, which was what we, happily watching at home in our jammies, lived for. Oh my God. It was heaven. There were mostly nightmares. Outfits, evening dresses that were just beyond eccentric or tacky. They were the occasion for huge whoops and hollers. So much fun. Except for a very, very few. They, of course, stood out in their innate elegance and tasteful simplicity. There were always women you could count on to always look outstanding. Anjelica Huston. Sharon Stone. Faye Dunaway. But basically, it was over-the-top-heaven.
Now, the entrances are starting. Dadadum. It is 3:30 in LA. They have been grooming since, what, noon? At least.
Plus you can’t drink anything after 12:00pm because peeing is out of
the question.
Taraji P. Henson — an adorable girl nominated for Best Supporting Actress for Benjamin Button. Looking sooooo fine. An unbelievable antique diamond necklace. Huge. Gorgeous. She was on "Boston Legal" for a season, which is how I know her.

























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Candice your mother sounds just like mine! My daughter is an actress and we’ve made a deal… if she ever gets nominated for an Oscar, I get to be her date!
Candice, thank you for writing this. I have to tell you that I am no longer THAT interested in the Oscars. I am the same vintage year as Liz Taylor ( a good year it was) there are so many young, all gorgeous, all in great shape, all about the same sizes, actresses that I can hardly tell one from the other anymore.
In my day you always remember who Ava Gardner was, Rita Hayworth, Lana Turner and on and on. Now I can hardly keep up with the new crops we call "stars".
So I decided I would watch till 9 and got to my well deserved night of rest. It did not happen. For the first time in years I was glued to the set till the last glimmer of all the crystals left my screen.
Like you I liked Whoopie when she did it but tonight was totally different.
It was "intime" , loved to see the "older" winners of both sexes , giants they are in my "older eyes" , loved the music and the dances.
I did not even yawn, looked at the clock and it was pumpkin time, the sparkling coach has turned into a black screen and I got to get some beauty sleep. (Some, she says, she means lots of beauty sleep)
Thank you Candice, loved your report, it was a nice evening.
Wow Candice,
That was great. I only watched part of the show, so it is great to read your take on what I missed. Thanks so much…and please, don’t EVER retire.
Good to have an actress and Hollywood native, report on the telecast
and her colleagues with a perspective seasoned by wit and experience.
OMG, I have NEVER forgotten that performance in "Starting Over." When you sang Better Than Ever… well, it simply set the gold standard for total commitment. Burt Reynolds’ reaction was priceless.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAEm-ZnDuzk
I was just wondering. All those children who were flown in from the slums in Mumbai was it? What happens to them, now that the Oscars are done?