I donned a pair of new shoes, popped my popcorn, poured a glass of champagne, grabbed my Jr. Mints from the freezer, and was in front of the T.V. before the first beautifully dressed actress stepped out of her shiny limousine. I LOVE OSCAR NIGHT!

Here’s my view — the good, the bad, and the “what?”…

THE GOOD:

Billy Crystal was funny and entertaining–I loved his best movie parody and song. All I can say is bring him back next year.

Meryl Streep’s upset for best actress was the surprise of the night. She was truly shocked but very gracious (she acknowledged her husband first thing…awww), and she was not even a tiny bit “been there, done that!”

Jessica Chastain was stunning in a gold embroidered Alexander McQueen gown and a half-up/ half-down hairstyle that made her look like a medieval princess that any knight in shinning armor would love to joust for.

Michele Williams’ coral Louis Vuitton gown set-off her already perfect skin to breathtakingly beautiful. And, I loved the hot pink clutch that added a little pizazz to her look.

Emma Stone was not only the funniest presenter with her “first time” shtick, she looked great, too. Some critics thought her gown was too like a past Nicole Kidman dress, but I say she rocked it. The fuchsia color with her red hair and pale skin worked beautifully and the big bow was pitch-perfect for her personality–very well done on all fronts, Ms. Stone!

Penelope Cruz is always stunning on the red carpet and this year was no exception. The glamorous periwinkle, old Hollywood-inspired Armani Prive gown and her new shorter hair made me think of a brunette Grace Kelly.

Gwyneth Paltrow was bold and beautiful in a simple white, and very elegant, Tom Ford dress with a cape. She accented her look with a diamond cuff (cuffs are big for spring!) and a cool low-slung ponytail — less was more… and perfect.

Octavia Spencer who won the Oscar for best supporting actress knows how to pick a script and a red carpet dress — the pleating on her white Tadashi Shoji gown hit in all the right places to flatter her curves.

In the category of best dressed actor the winner is: the midnight blue tux. Elegant and unexpected but classic, midnight blue showed up and showed out on the red carpet. Bradley Cooper wore a Tom Ford classic shawl collar, midnight blue tux with black trim, Christopher Plummer wore a velvet version, and Gary Oldman shook things up with a three-piece black tux with midnight blue trim and a dotted pocket square — WOW!

THE BAD:

Viola Davis wore my favorite color: green. Sadly, that’s about the only good thing I can say about her look. Her hair was over-colored and her dress over-done. Ms. Davis is an amazing actress but it was just not her night.

Melissa McCarthy’s hair and make-up were glamorous and beautiful. Her dress however, was wrong for her figure type — big sleeves don’t work on a full figure.

I’m hoping that Bradley Cooper grew his 70′s-style mustache for a movie role. It so did not compliment his elegant midnight blue tux:(

Sasha Baron Cohen…obnoxious…please stay home next year.

The WHAT?:

When you are considered one of the most beautiful women in the world you shouldn’t have to try to look sexy, but that’s what Angelina Jolie appeared to be doing by thrusting her leg through the slit in her skirt. Seriously, I was waiting for her to put her thumb out.

Jennifer Lopez and Cameron Diaz presented together and both looked stunning. When the camera cut back to the two actresses, after showing film clips, they were turned with their backs to the camera and looking over their shoulders. Why? Could it be their derrieres the two lovely ladies wanted to show-off? Their effort fell — pardon the pun — flat.

The lesson that should be learned from the Misses Jolie, Diaz, and Lopez: Sexy is better served subtle.

Until next year…

POLITICAL ROUND-UP…Tuesday was a big day for mid-term politics so I though I would make a few observations.