It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year

Yes. Awards season is well and truly upon us, are you enjoying yourselves? The last few weeks have been tiring for the casual spectator, such as myself, so I can only imagine how the nominees and their teams feel. Then again, can you really complain when your job involves attending parties and receiving awards? Probably not but we'll discuss that in a minute. Let's take a moment to digest the past few weeks and take stock of what we've learnt:

• Everybody loves Lupita Nyong'o - she's a fashion GODDESS and seems like a really humble, eloquent, and extremely talented woman. She deserves all the good things being lavished upon her, no doubt. Yay Lupita!
• American Hustle is the favourite? I thought it was good but I wasn't blown away. Amy Adams, Christian Bale and Jeremy Renner were amazing and the soundtrack was excellent. Anyway, I suppose it gives us a good excuse to get our J-Law fix. 
• Speaking of...Jennifer Lawrence is being her usual charming, TMI-ing self on the red carpet in some questionable Dior dresses. It's not her fault. Dior just ain't what it used to be. 
• Alright, alright, alright, Matthew McConnoghey means business and just might take Best Actor at the Oscars. Just keep livin'. 
• I've been a fan of E! Live from the Red Carpet for a loooong time but I think it's time to hand over the microphone to someone else. Ryan and G just look so tired and over it. The questions are terrible and they need to get rid of that 'mani-cam'. Kudos to Elisabeth Moss for doing what we've all been doing at home to the mani-cam. I think last year for The Oscars one of our UK channels showed another network doing the red carpet - maybe ABC? - with Kristin Chenoweth co-hosting and Hugh Jackman picked her up. Anyway, yes, time for some freshness on the other side of the red carpet. 
• Continuing with the fashion - it has been a bit blaaah. I haven't seen much that's been original or daring. Emma Watson came to play in her dress/trousers ensemble, which was bold but not too many others have followed suit. Margot Robbie has consistently 'turnt up' also. 
• Emma Thompson is a hoot! She should be invited to all awards shows regardless of nominations and whatnot. 
• People have mixed feelings about Jonah Hill. I haven't seen Wolf of Wall Street yet (don't scream at me, it has only just been released over here!) but in general I teeter towards liking him. He name drops a lot but then again if Leo was my friend, I might mention it a few times here and there too. 
• Returning to the American Hustle cast - do you think they were too rude in this interview? I do. I know they probably had a long night and were two or three sheets to the wind but still...answering press questions, regardless of how awful they are, is part of your job. Thank goodness for Amy Adams and Mr De Niro who managed to appear obliging and pleasant. 
• Speaking of Amy Adams - yay! So glad she's winning. I hope she gets the big one. I read her Vanity Fair interview (the issue where she's on the cover) and she comes across wonderfully. I love the part where she talks about working with Idina Menzel and trying to bait her into singing 'For Good' in the corridors! 
• Finally, hasn't it been nice seeing some of the big guns out and about? Meryl, Julia, Tom, Brad, Leo and co. 

Well, we've got a ways to go before Oscar night. I'm sure there will be lots of high jinks and drama along the way. The Academy Awards Luncheon is on February 10 - always produces some nice pictures. Then it's my town's turn to host the stars with the BAFTAs on February 16. We'll talk again after that.