Why Were They There?

As usual, the Oscar's red carpet was full of people whose connection with the nominees, or the film industry, or even this century, is tenuous, at best. These people are generally presenters who also serve as the red carpet equivalent of seat fillers. The presenters and random attendees dress up and walk when the superstars don't, or won't. Note, we didn't see Oprah dragging her train up the damp red carpet.

Nicole Richie in Reem Acra. Her husband was deejaying at some Oscar event or other. Hey, it got her out of the house.


Molly Ringwald in Todd Thomas. I have long been a Molly Ringwald fan, and that's really long considering that I haven't seen anything she's made since 1994. Her dress is great, her jewelry is even greater. But she was at the Academy Awards for a tribute to the late director John Hughes. John Hughes gets a tribute? Really? Hey, I like Pretty in Pink too, but it ain't exactly Roshomon.

Mariska Hargitay in Vera Wang. She looks fine, but like, who cares? I don't know why she was there, unless it was to wear a dress that looked just like . . .

. . . Kristen Stewart's Monique Lhuillier gown, which in turn was awfully similar to . . .

. . . Giuliana Rancic's Gustavo Cadile creation.

Let's do some trend spotting, shall we? Strapless, draped, fitted to the hip, all hell breaking loose from the hip down, blue. These three got the style memo for the evening, but it didn't make them interesting.

Miley Cyrus in Jenny Packham. According to some TV report or other, Kristen (who's claim to fame, as far as I'm concerned, is being in the most boring vampire movie of all time) and Miley were invited to the Academy Awards to attract a younger audience. Miley's fans probably aren't old enough to stay up for the whole broadcast. Anyhoo, I hate the look and I wish she would just go away.