The 82nd Annual Academy Awards will air live on ABC from the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles on March 7 to avoid coinciding with the Winter Olympics, said Leslie Unger, a spokeswoman for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

The 2010 Winter Games are scheduled Feb. 12-28.

For many years, until 2004, the awards ceremony was held at the end of March.

"It has been in February since then, except for one year, in 2006, where the circumstances were the same as next year, to not coincide with the closing ceremonies of the Winter Olympics," Unger said Wednesday.

Nominations ballots will be mailed to members Dec. 28 and nominations polls will close Jan. 23.

Nominations will be announced Feb. 2.

"In terms of the nominating process, that puts another week in the schedule for members to see movies," Unger said.

AP

The 52nd annual awards will air live on CBS from the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Jan. 31.

Neil Portnow, president and CEO of The Recording Academy, says the academy is "delighted to host the world's premiere music event in our hometown again."

AP

Sunday night's 81st Annual Academy Awards on ABC climbed 13 percent to 36.3 million viewers, according to Nielsen estimates. Viewership was up in all age groups, and the biggest increases were among men ages 18 to 34.

Though it's still the third-lowest-rated Oscars (second-lowest was 2003, the year "Chicago" won), viewers seem pleased with the changes producers Bill Condon and Laurence Mark made to the ceremony.

In an informal reader survey at life.usatoday.com, those who liked the show outweighed those who didn't more than 10 to 1. And more than 6,500 readers chimed in on their favorite parts of the show.

The top picks:
-- Having five iconic presenters for top acting categories: 29 percent
-- Host Hugh Jackman's opening skit and its homespun charm: 23 percent
-- Ben Stiller impersonating Joaquin Phoenix while presenting: 16 percent

A few days before the Oscars, Jackman was dancing around ratings expectations the same way he ultimately danced around the stage at the Kodak Theatre.

"I don't know," he said. "I hosted the Tonys three years in a row, and I believe I've presided over the lowest-rated Tonys ever. So I'm not going to be waking up at 4 in the morning asking."

Turns out he could have and not lost any sleep.

Gannett News Service

Tim Gunn wasn't the only nod to "Project Runway" at Sunday's Oscars. The show also featured a behind-the-scenes competition for dress designers. And a Chicago boy won it!

Finalists included another Chicagoan, Maria Pinto, plus Alan Del Rosario, Marianne Kooimans, Nicolas Putvinski, Robert Rodriguez and School of the Art Institute grad Moire Conroy.

George has said he was inspired by Champagne -- specifically the Taittinger girl -- for his strapless silver crepe gown adorned with handmade orchids.

He told Crain's it's no surprise a designer from Chicago won the public's vote. "We're a city that's moving up [in fashion]," he said.

Model Lauren Gish (left) wears a platinum crepe lame strapless gown with hand made orchid by designer Sam Kori George (right) on Feb. 10 at the Oscar Designer Challenge, an up-and-coming fashion designers competition to determine a gown worn at the Oscars. (AP file photos)

Anyone notice something missing from the Oscars on Sunday night? Why, for instance, did Hugh Jackman, during his opening front-row schtick, wind up sitting in Frank Langella's lap instead of ... Jack Nicholson's?

"... this year's producers were privately complaining that the biggest movie stars in the world like Jack Nicholson, Nicole Kidman, Angelina Jolie, George Clooney, and Kate Winslet gave them reasons galore -- some serious, some trivial -- for why they didn't want to present awards, once considered a huge honor. (For instance, Kidman said she appear onstage without the "right" hairdresser. George Clooney wouldn't reschedule his current visit to Darfur refugee camps in Africa. And Winslet, the Best Actress shoo-in, claimed she was too "nervous" to take it on.)"

Two days before showtime, even Jackman seems unaware of whether Jack would be there, telling ABC News:

Asked if there were any stars he's looking forward to seeing on Oscar night, Jackman said he pictures Jack Nicholson sitting in the front row. "I don't know if he's going to be there, [but] I visualize Jack Nicholson ... hopefully smiling, but you never know," he said, laughing.

Perhaps, given his recent complaints about the expansion of "Oscar season," he just opted out to give us some food for thought.

Spain gushed with pride today over Penelope Cruz's Oscar for best supporting actress.

Among the most effusive was two-time Oscar-winning director Pedro Almodovar, who praised Cruz as having a history of "jumping head first and without a parachute, and taking on very risky roles."

"I cried with joy when I heard her name after the classic line 'and the Oscar goes to,"' Almodovar said in a statement.

She is the first Spanish actress to win an Oscar. She was honored Sunday in Los Angeles for her role as the hot-tempered and erratic ex-wife of an artist played by Javier Bardem in Woody Allen's movie "Vicky Cristina Barcelona."

Bardem last year won an Oscar as best supporting actor for his role as a hit man with bad hair in "No Country for Old Men."

Madrid newspapers delayed publication of their first editions for Monday morning in anticipation of Cruz's winning a statuette, and she was on the cover of all of them. Cruz, 34, is from a Madrid suburb.

Cruz's triumph even managed to get the government and opposition, regularly at each other's throats, to agree on something.

Deputy Prime Minister Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega said the prize "places Spanish actors and actresses at the highest level."

And conservative opposition leader Mariano Rajoy sent Cruz a telegram congratulating her.

The Oscar, he wrote to Cruz, pays tribute to "your natural talent and your effort, and continued sacrifice in a job well done."

AP

"What I mentioned from the stage earlier tonight is to see this culture of ignorance, it breeds this kind of hateful expression," he said. "These people had the [anti-gay] signs outside essentially telling you you're less than human."

Penn also had some dissenting words for President Obama's stance -- the president has said he opposes gay marriage -- which Penn has said he hopes will change. "I would like to believe that's a political stand right now and not necessarily a future one or a felt one. I don't think any of us, particularly our president, would long be able to take that position because it's not a human luxury. These are human needs, and they will be gotten."

"Milk" screenwriter Dustin Lance Black was not shy about politics when he greeted reporters backstage.

Asked about what he'd like to see from President Obama, he said that "a few things I'd love him to do immediately is, repeal 'don't ask, don't tell' and the Defense of Marriage Act." Then he got broader: "For inspiration, we need to look not at Proposition 8 but look back to 1964. No group has ever won full civil rights in this country going state by state, county by county." But he also couldn't resist a more emotional moment. Shedding a tear, he said, "Harvey gave me his story, and it saved my life."

The Hollywood Reporter

Just before he died, Heath Ledger had an inkling that he might get a statuette for his performance as the Joker in "The Dark Knight," which earned him a posthumous supporting actor Oscar on Sunday. After alluding to it on the podium, the Ledger family elaborated backstage on a conversation they had with him.

"When he came home for Christmas a year ago, he had been sending me shots and bits of pieces from the film," sister Kate Ledger said. "And I said to him, 'I have a feeling this is it for you; you're going to get a nomination for this from the Academy.' And he just looked at me and smiled. So he knew."

"You just have to look at Matilda to know she's totally like her daddy. She has the same mannerisms," mother Sally Bell said. "It's a delight to know she's full of the same enthusiasm and energy, and she looks a little like him."

Ledger's parents said their son showed early signs of precociousness -- in a way that evoked mixed feelings.

"Heath was always watching films and playing the fool and horsing around," Kim Ledger said. "He was very intelligent in a lot of ways, and it always worried me as a parent, because you've got to find something you're good at and stick to it because you might have to make a buck one day." Asked how her son would have felt going through the awards-season process had he lived, Bell said: "I think he would have been quietly pleased. He was very proud of what he did. Heath was never one to be over-the-top with anything. But I think he would have been quietly pleased that it's recognized by his peers in the industry."

The Hollywood Reporter

A full accounting will be ready later today, but preliminary numbers show a 6 percent uptick from last year's show. But that means last night's show is still among the bottom three least-watched Oscars ever.

New York, Chicago and Los Angeles were the markets with the highest Oscar ratings Sunday.

Contributing: AP

The '09 Oscars show. Not great, not horrible. Certainly long, but that's not surprising.

What did YOU think?

Comment below. Some talking points:

-- Hugh Jackman: Was he a host, or just a performer?

-- The extended acting tributes: Gallant way to honor achievement, or painful time-filler?

-- The results: Who won well-deserved awards? Who got robbed?

-- The death reel: Who did they leave out? (Rudy Ray Moore, anyone?!)

-- The speeches: Is Sean Penn a valiant crusader or a blowhard?

By SOLVEJ SCHOU

WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. -- The glitzy, global spirit of Hollywood raged into the wee hours after the Oscars, with parties around town feting everyone from British best actress winner Kate Winslet down to the youngest "Slumdog Millionaire" star, drinking caffeine to keep up his strength.

Ayush Mahesh Khedekar, only 8, slurped on a can of Coca-Cola at Fox Searchlight's packed after-party Sunday night at ONE Sunset in West Hollywood honoring "The Wrestler" and "Slumdog Millionaire." Filmed in the slums of Mumbai, "Slumdog" snagged eight Oscars, including best picture and director.

Ayush, who lives in India and plays the youngest version of the movie's protagonist Jamal, sat on a sofa at the club, nursing his soda after midnight.

"Very excited," said Ayush, when asked about the wins. "It's unbelievable. I never thought I would get an Oscar. Daniel [director Danny Boyle] told us, 'If you work hard, the Oscar will come to you.' And it came."

As for being tired?

"No, that's why I'm drinking this," he added.

"It feels unreal. This is the best day of my life, man," said Mittal. "I come from India and I never in my wildest dreams thought I would be at the Oscars, much less be part of the movie that sweeps the Oscars."

Despite economic woes, myriad parties had all the glam and celebrity fraternizing of past soirees, though guest lists were substantially slashed and simple comfort food reigned.

Jennifer Love Hewitt hosted AIDS Project Los Angeles' annual bash at The Abbey, and Chevy Chase, Laura Dern and other famous faces flocked to the Night of 100 Stars gala at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Lindsay Lohan joined her DJ girlfriend Samantha Ronson, who spun at the Mercedes-Benz after-party at the Montage Beverly Hills.

Best actor winner Sean Penn and nominees Taraji P. Henson, Marisa Tomei, Amy Adams and Anne Hathaway were just a few of the stars who made the Governors Ball at the Kodak Theatre their first post-Oscars stop.

Sean Penn gets a kiss from Sir Ben Kingsley at the Governor's Ball following the Academy Awards. (Amy Sancetta/AP)

Guests nibbled on lobster and shrimp and three-level dessert boxes topped with chocolate Oscars. Penn, his co-star Emile Hirsch and "Twilight" hottie Robert Pattinson were among those who enjoyed the outdoor smoking lounge, a recessed area topped with a dozen overturned parasols.

The Asian-themed affair featured bonsai trees inlaid in the tables and images of bamboo leaves projected on the walls. There was also a chocolate-and-champagne fountain to entertain guests on the back patio.

Blocks away from Fox Searchlight, Vanity Fair's revived Oscar party was all about A-list camaraderie.

The annual celebrity-stuffed bash, canceled last year before the end of the Hollywood writers' strike, roared back into style, with Oscar winners literally rubbing shoulders at the hilltop Sunset Tower Hotel, a new venue for the party after years at the restaurant Morton's. A tented area outside had a stunning view of Los Angeles.

At 11:30 p.m., Winslet swept in. Clutching her Oscar trophy for "The Reader" in one hand and a glass of champagne in the other, she grinned and hugged admirers left and right.
"Great Britannia," said Anthony Hopkins, bearhugging the actress.

"Oh my God!" yelled Winslet back to the Oscar-winning actor, later adding, "I was actually very calm ... I got so many text messages."

The party's exclusive, pared down guest list meant that only the cream of Hollywood showed up, from Jennifer Aniston snuggling next to her boyfriend John Mayer, to Halle Berry drinking champagne on a couch and shaking hands with Russell Simmons.

Best supporting actress winner Penelope Cruz happily munched on a brownie, later hugging Tilda Swinton. Amy Adams laughed in a tight cluster with Uma Thurman, Jake Gyllenhaal and Reese Witherspoon.

Other guests included Robert De Niro, Tina Fey and Josh Brolin. Attendees feasted on more working-class offerings like bagel, egg and bacon sandwiches and In-N-Out burgers.

Nearby, Elton John's annual viewing dinner and after-party at the Pacific Design Center's tented courtyard was another glamorous affair, complete with a five-course menu, including risotto, black sea bass, pear compote and puffed chocolate tartlet.

Dressed in black, wearing strands of Chopard diamonds, John greeted tables of guests, including Simon Cowell and Sharon Stone. Chace Crawford was seated across the room from his amiable ex, Carrie Underwood, who glittered in a silvery dress.

"People are going through tremendous hardship," John told his guests before the night's big auction for his Elton John AIDS Foundation. "In this time of hardship, we are going to raise as much money as we possibly can."

That he did, with $4 million, according to the party's publicist. A stay in Normandy, France, was auctioned off for $80,000.

John later joined musical guest Raphael Saadiq onstage, garnering cheers for a version of John's "Benny and the Jets."

Across town, in Hollywood, Prince ended the night on his own rock 'n' roll musical note, taking the stage at his last-minute Oscar after-party at the Avalon club at 1:45 a.m.

Wearing black sunglasses, and waltzing onto the stage twirling a gleaming silver cane, Prince noodled on his guitar to whoops and hollers from the audience, which included nominee Henson.

"This is what we do at house parties. I'm the DJ tonight," he said.

British director Danny Boyle holds his Oscar for best director for his work on "Slumdog Millionaire" as he enters the Governor's Ball on Sunday in Hollywood. (Amy Sancetta/AP)

AP

"Slumdog Millionaire"
OSCARS: Eight, including best picture and director.
RELEASED: November.
BOX OFFICE: $98 million so far.

"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
OSCARS: Three, including best art direction and visual effects.
RELEASED: December.
BOX OFFICE: $124.2 million so far

"Milk"
OSCARS: Two, including best actor and original screenplay.
RELEASED: November.
BOX OFFICE: $28.2 million so far.

"The Dark Knight"
OSCARS: Two, including best supporting actor and sound editing.
RELEASED: July.
BOX OFFICE: $533 million so far.

AP

"You commie homo-loving sons of guns. I did not expect this, and I want it to be very clear that I do know how hard I make it to appreciate me, often, but I am touched by the appreciation." -- Sean Penn, accepting the best actor Oscar for his role in "Milk."

More quotes from tonight's 81st annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles ...

"I'd be lying if I said I haven't made a version of this speech before. I think I was probably 8 years old and staring into the bathroom mirror, and this would have been a shampoo bottle. Well, it's not a shampoo bottle now." -- Kate Winslet, holding the Oscar she won as best actress in "The Reader&"

"My kids are too old to remember this now, but when they were much younger, I swore to them that if this miracle ever happened that I would recede into the character of Tigger from Winnie the Pooh." -- Danny Boyle, jumping up and down, after winning the best director Academy Award for "Slumdog Millionaire."

"This award tonight would have humbly validated Heath's quiet determination to be truly accepted by you all here -- his peers within an industry he so loved." -- Heath Ledger's father, Kim Ledger, accepting the award for best supporting actor on behalf of his son.

"When I was 13 years old my beautiful mother and my father moved me from a conservative Mormon home in San Antonio, Texas, to California, and I heard the story of Harvey Milk and it gave me hope. It gave me the hope to live my life." -- Dustin Black, accepting best original screenplay Oscar.

"Fifteen career Oscar nominations. That's a record. I hate to say it but when someone puts up numbers like that, it's just hard not to think steroids." -- Host Hugh Jackman to Meryl Streep during the opening of the show.

"There are certain places in the universe you never imagine standing. For me, it's the moon, the South Pole, the Miss World podium and here." -- Simon Beaufoy on-stage after winning best adapted screenplay for "Slumdog Millionaire."

"Now listen, I want you to relax tonight. I want you to say whatever is on your mind because you know we have a seven-second delay, but if you win, we switch to a 20-minute delay." -- Host Hugh Jackman to Mickey Rourke during the opening of the show.

"This award touches my heart and the very depth of my soul because of who the award is from and those who will benefit. The humility I feel is staggering, and I know it will stay with me for the rest of my life." -- Jerry Lewis, while accepting an Oscar for humanitarian work.

AP

-- Actor: Sean Penn, "Milk."

-- Actress: Kate Winslet, "The Reader."

-- Supporting Actor: Heath Ledger, "The Dark Knight."

-- Supporting Actress: Penelope Cruz, "Vicky Cristina Barcelona."

-- Director: Danny Boyle, "Slumdog Millionaire."

-- Foreign Film: "Departures," Japan.

-- Adapted Screenplay: Simon Beaufoy, "Slumdog Millionaire."

-- Original Screenplay: Dustin Lance Black, "Milk."

-- Animated Feature Film: "WALL-E."

-- Art Direction: "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button."

-- Cinematography: "Slumdog Millionaire."

-- Sound Mixing: "Slumdog Millionaire."

-- Sound Editing: "The Dark Knight."

-- Original Score: "Slumdog Millionaire," A.R. Rahman.

-- Original Song: "Jai Ho" from "Slumdog Millionaire," A.R. Rahman and Gulzar.

-- Costume: "The Duchess."

-- Documentary Feature: "Man on Wire."

-- Documentary (short subject): "Smile Pinki."

-- Film Editing: "Slumdog Millionaire."

-- Makeup: "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button."

-- Animated Short Film: "La Maison en Petits Cubes."

-- Live Action Short Film: "Spielzeugland (Toyland)."

-- Visual Effects: "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button."

Academy Award winners previously announced this season:

Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award (Oscar statuette): Jerry Lewis

Gordon E. Sawyer Award (Oscar statuette): Pixar Animation co-founder Ed Catmull

BY BILL ZWECKER
Sun-Times Columnist

Moments after winning her Oscar for ''Vicky Cristina Barcelona,'' Penelope Cruz was still in total shock backstage, wanting ''to call Woody Allen right now -- maybe that will make it real.''

Yet, Cruz revealed she didn't believe an Academy Award would cure her of her well-known sense of insecurity about her talent. ''I have always been insecure on the set [of all my movies] no matter what. Working with Woody Allen helped, because I never doubted the genius of Woody Allen.

''Yet, when I read the script, I laughed a lot, but when I got into the character of Maria Elena on the set, I didn't want to laugh. We all knew it was a comedy, but when you're making it, you can't think about what is funny or where the jokes are. It wasn't until I finally saw it at Cannes -- and people were laughing so much. I found that so surprising.''