Get ready for the 2013 Oscars with these five things to watch for.
No. 1: Seth MacFarlane, smart pick or risky move?
Bringing on "Family Guy" creator Seth MacFarlane to host the Oscars might be a little risky, but it could also pay off big. MacFarlane's Family Guy is known for its crude humor, including fart jokes, awkward asides and fights with a human-sized chicken,
Funny ladies Tina Fey and Amy Poehler saw rave reviews after hosting the Golden Globes early this year, but we're used to seeing them acting in leading roles on "SNL," "Parks and Recreation" and "30 Rock." MacFarlane's largely a voice actor, who brings to life multiple characters on his show.
If he can balance being funny and edgy without going too far, MacFarlane could make these Oscars one to remember.
No. 2: Will there be any surprises in those envelopes?
After the British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards early this month, Vanity Fair picked "Argo" to take home the Oscar for Best Picture, Daniel Day-Lewis for Best Actor and Jennifer Lawrence for Best Actress. The Hollywood Reporter and Entertainment Weekly made the same choices in those categories this week.
But there's always the potential for surprises at the Oscars with Entertainment Weekly writing this about the Best Picture category:
Everyone suspects this is a battle between "Argo" and "Lincoln," but the real potential spoiler here is "Silver Linings Playbook." It’s the first movie since 1981′s "Reds" to land nominations in all four acting categories, which indicates broad support within the actors branch, the largest voting bloc in the Academy.
No. 3: Keep an eye on that second screen
No one's waiting for those watercooler moments to happen at the watercooler anymore.
Besides sometimes the social media mocking, animated gifs and spontaneously created Twitter accounts that seize on a moment we're all watching are more entertaining than the actual awards show anyway.
Case in point:
No. 4: Hits and misses on the red carpet
Which designers will shine on the red carpet and whose ensembles will fall flat?
Take a stroll down memory lane with E! Online as they recall the best and worst dressed, including Bjork's swan-themed frock, of Oscars shows past.
Compare the stars' styles at the 2013 Academy Awards with those that made fashion blogger Kathleen Thibodeau's hit and miss list last year.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
No. 5: The snubs
We already know who the Academy passed over in the nomination process, but will there be any glaring mistakes as the winners are announced?
Get a sense of the films nominated for Best Picture with these trailers and clips:
ARMOUR
ARGO
BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD
DJANGO UNCHAINED
LES MISERABLES
LIFE OF PI
LINCOLN
SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK
ZERO DARK THIRTY