Posted Mar 10th 2010 12:14AM by TMZ Staff
The guy who flashed the "Text Dolphin" sign at the Oscars nearly broke the organization he was trying to promote -- after a tidal wave of text messages almost took down the group's mobile server.
It all went down when one of the stars of "The Cove" tried to get some promotion for the TakePart dolphin-saving organization by flashing the sign during the Best Documentary acceptance speech -- it lasted two seconds before they cut away from the sign.
But TMZ has learned those two seconds of exposure triggered so many text messages -- the group's mobile service provider nearly went down.
The group claims they've doubled their membership in the two days following the awards.
Filed under: Movies, Awards/Awards Shows, Pets, Exclusives
Tags: dolphin, oscars, ric obarry, RicObarry, sign, text, the cove, TheCove
Posted Mar 9th 2010 6:17PM by TMZ Staff
The people behind the Academy Awards claim they left Farrah Fawcett out of the Oscars In Memoriam montage this year because she was better known as a TV star -- which begs the question, how the hell did Michael Jackson make the cut?!?!
Bruce Davis -- the executive director of the film academy -- told the Associated Press both Fawcett and Gene Berry were more famous for their "remarkable television work" and would therefore be more appropriately honored at the Emmys.
So by that logic, Michael Jackson would probably be more appropriately honored at the Grammys right? Oh wait, he was!! Kinda contradicts your point, huh Bruce?
For the record -- Davis had no excuse for blowing off Bea Arthur and Captain Lou Albano, who starred in the theatrical masterpiece "Body Slam" back in 1986.
Filed under: TV, Awards/Awards Shows, Farrah Fawcett
Posted Mar 9th 2010 8:00AM by TMZ Staff
Roger Ross Williams tried giving his Oscar speech again last night on "Larry King Live" -- and for the second time, he was abruptly cut off.
This time crazy redhead producer Elinor Burkett wasn't to blame -- but Larry's own producers, who needed him to stop blabbing because of a time crunch.
The look on Roger's face when they tell him to wrap it up is just priceless.
Filed under: Awards/Awards Shows
Tags: cnn, elinor burkett, ElinorBurkett, kanye west, KanyeWest, larry king live, LarryKingLive, oscars, roger ross williams, RogerRossWilliams
Posted Mar 8th 2010 6:03PM by TMZ Staff
Ryan O'Neal is "confused as anyone" by Farrah Fawcett not making the In Memorium cut at The Oscars last night -- and he plans on writing a letter to the Academy protesting the snub.
Moments ago outside his Malibu home, Ryan told cameras he and Tatum were "shocked" by the Farrah omission -- saying maybe it happened because "she wasn't well known enough."
FYI -- 88% of TMZ voters agree Farrah should have been part of the tribute.
Filed under: Paparazzi Video, Awards/Awards Shows, Farrah Fawcett
Tags: academy awards, AcademyAwards, farrah fawcett, FarrahFawcett, in memorium, InMemorium, oscars, ryan oneal, RyanOneal, tatum oneal, TatumOneal
Posted Mar 8th 2010 5:02PM by TMZ Staff
There are reports swirling that Sean Penn had a confrontation last night with "The Hurt Locker" producer Greg Shapiro -- who happens to be the current BF of Sean's estranged ex Robin Wright. We've been making calls and here's what we know ...
First, reports that Sean was kicked out of the Governors Ball are not true because Sean was never there in the first place -- by his own choice. We've also confirmed Sean was not banned from the ball.
But Sean and Greg were in the same room with each other at one point in the night -- as reported by E!'s Marc Malkin -- and it was all because of Sandra Bullock.
After Sean presented the Best Actress award to Sandra, both presenter and winner are supposed to go to an elevator which takes them near the press room. We're told Sandra lingered around backstage for a little while -- so Sean went to the elevator by himself.
After Sean emerged from the elevator and was waiting around for Sandra, a group of people from "The Hurt Locker" came up in the elevator right after the Best Picture announcement -- Greg Shapiro was in that group.
We're told Sean was nearby when Greg got off the elevator -- but we spoke to several people who say there was no fight. One insider tells us, "I didn't see it happen ... something could've happened, but if it did, it was minor and only lasted a second."
Filed under: Awards/Awards Shows, Exclusives
Tags: greg shapiro, GregShapiro, robin wright penn, RobinWrightPenn, sandra bullock, SandraBullock, sean penn, SeanPenn, the hurt locker, TheHurtLocker
Posted Mar 8th 2010 2:37PM by TMZ Staff
Roger Ross Williams -- the guy who got Kanye'd last night on the Oscars by that crazy redhead -- will get a second shot at his acceptance speech tonight on "Larry King Live" ... so our spies tell us.
Williams -- who won the Academy Award for "Music by Prudence" -- was interrupted mid-acceptance by producer Elinor Burkett.
Burkett and Williams had been feuding over creative control of the project, and they struck an out-of-court settlement. Burkett had been removed from the movie, but still kept her producer credit.
Here's the best part: Burkett tells Salon.com, when she stood up to go onstage, Williams' mom tried to block her with a cane.
UPDATE: Burkett will tell her side of the story to Joy Behar on her show on HLN at 9:00 PM on Tuesday night.
Filed under: Awards/Awards Shows, Exclusives
Tags: academy awards, AcademyAwards, cnn, elinor burkett, ElinorBurkett, kanye, kanye west, KanyeWest, music by prudence, MusicByPrudence, oscar, roger ross williams, RogerRossWilliams
Posted Mar 8th 2010 12:30PM by TMZ Staff
While some looked precious at the Oscars, others grabbed outfits straight out of the hurt locker.
Filed under: Awards/Awards Shows, Photo Galleries
Tags: academy awards, AcademyAwards, charlize theron, CharlizeTheron, fashion, jenniferlopez, kristenstewart
Posted Mar 8th 2010 9:20AM by TMZ Staff
Nicole Richie wasn't the only person who looked out of place at The Oscars -- TMZ has learned cops had to spring into action Sunday when a non-Hollywood type ran onto the red carpet.
It all went down around 1:30 PM PST -- right before the stars began to arrive.
Law enforcement sources tell TMZ they believe a 28-year-old dude scaled a six or seven foot fence, got on to the red carpet and began "skipping."
We're told he then broke in to a run but cops immediately caught up with him and escorted the dude to the ground.
The man was arrested for trespassing. He's currently being held on $5,000 bail.
Filed under: Awards/Awards Shows, Exclusives
Tags: academy awards, AcademyAwards, arrest, red carpet, RedCarpet, the oscars, TheOscars
Posted Mar 8th 2010 8:00AM by TMZ Staff
Farrah Fawcett did not make the cut for this year's In Memoriam tribute during last night's Academy Awards telecast ... leaving many scratching their heads.
Despite appearing in such classics as "Sunburn," "Saturn 3," "The Cannonball Run" and "Dr. T and the Women," Fawcett was passed over for more household names ... like Michael Jackson.
An Academy spokesperson told the AP, "Every year it's an unfortunate reality that we can't include everybody."
Filed under: TV, Awards/Awards Shows, Farrah Fawcett
Tags: 2010, academy awards, AcademyAwards, farrah fawcett, FarrahFawcett, in memoriam, InMemoriam, oscars, tribute
Posted Mar 7th 2010 8:07PM by TMZ Staff
Forget Kate Winslet. Kathy Ireland is The Reader.
Where's Joan Rivers when you need her??
Filed under: TV, Awards/Awards Shows
Tags: host, Kathy Ireland, KathyIreland, oscars, teleprompter
Posted Mar 7th 2010 7:29PM by TMZ Staff
Which part of Charlize Theron's dress do you think E! was focused on?
BTW -- That's E!'s arrow ... not ours.
Filed under: Awards/Awards Shows
Tags: academy awards, AcademyAwards, charlize theron, CharlizeTheron, dress, oscars, photo, red carpet, RedCarpet
Posted Mar 7th 2010 7:23PM by TMZ Staff
"Precious" star Gabby Sidibe had one thing on her mind on the red carpet -- the "money shot."
Filed under: Awards/Awards Shows, Gabourey Sidibe
Tags: academy awards, AcademyAwards, e, gabourney sidibe, GabourneySidibe, oscars, precious
Posted Mar 7th 2010 7:22PM by TMZ Staff
Oh ... wait ... no, that's just Antonio Banderas.
Filed under: Awards/Awards Shows
Tags: antonio banderas, AntonioBanderas, melanie griffith, MelanieGriffith
