Popsquire’s entertainment reporter / legal expert, Russell Wetanson, worked as Leeza Gibbons’ correspondent during a 7-hour Oscar night live webcast from Mr. Chow in Beverly Hills. Millions of people watched online at ExtraTV.com and Glam.com. Here are some fun highlights:
Like a typical lawyer, Popsquire loves quotes, because they provide the best evidence of what really happened during an event. So, here is a list of the best quotes from last night’s Academy Awards:
Sean Penn: “You commie, homo-loving, sons of guns. I did not expect this and I know how hard I make it to appreciate me…I think it is a good time for those who voted for the ban against gay marriage to sit and reflect and anticipate their great shame and the shame in their grand children’s eyes if they continue that way of support. We’ve got to have equal rights for everyone.”
Kate Winslet: “I’d be lying if I haven’t made a version of this speech before. I think I was probably eight years old and staring into the bathroom mirror and this would have been a shampoo bottle. Well it’s not a shampoo bottle now.”
Penelope Cruz: “It’s not going to be 45 seconds, I can say that right now. Has anybody ever fainted here? Because I might be the first one.”
Dustin Lance Black: “If Harvey had not been taken from us 30 years ago, I think he’d want me to say to all those gay and lesbian kids out there tonight - who have been told that they are less than by their churches, by the government, or by their families - that you are beautiful, wonderful creatures that are valued. And that no matter what everyone tells you, God does love you, and that very soon, I promise you, you will have equal rights federally across this great nation of ours.”
1. On TV Guide Network’sCountdown To The Academy Awards, from noon to 3pm PST, Popsquire is providing sprinklings of commentary.
2. On Leeza Gibbons’ Oscar Night To Make A Difference, Popsquire is working as a correspondent for a live webcast that will be streaming on ExtraTV.com, Glam.com, Variety.com, and LeezaGibbonsOscarNight.com. It airs from 4pm to 11pm PST.
Popsquire is turning Oscar Night into a Night To Make A Difference with Leeza Gibbons!
Leeza Gibbons and Olivia Newton John, in association with David Foster, are hosting a charity event and Oscar viewing party at the famous Mr. Chow on Sunday. Popsquire’s entertainment reporter/legal expert, Russell Wetanson, is working as a correspondent for the event’s live webcast, which will stream on ExtraTV.com, among other outlets.
Click here for more details, including videos from celebrity participants, a list of charities involved, and a special message from Leeza!
For today’s international collision between pop culture and law, check out this CNN report about how the legally-themed Oscar favorite, Slumdog Millionaire, is being received in India.
In case you missed Popsquire’s appearance on TV Guide Network’s Oscar Nomination Special, which has been in perpetual re-runs since Thursday, below are some highlights clips. Enjoy!
Popsquire was not surprised to see Milk receive eight Oscar nominations this morning, but the film’s producer was.
Dan Jinks, who produced Milk with his business partner, Bruce Cohen, says he was genuinely surprised that the film garnered eight nominations. Of course, he had had some reason to be surprised after the film was largely snubbed by the Golden Globes. The Oscar voters, however, clearly understand the value of legally-themed movies, and Dan sees these nominations as a blessing, telling Popsquire:
“Today, eight nominations are a huge tribute to everyone involved in making Milk. It was our goal to bring Harvey Milk’s wonderfully inspiring story to audiences everywhere. These nominations will go a long way to making this happen.”
Dan and Bruce previously won Oscars as producers of American Beauty. Popsquire wishes them both luck as they approach number two. Click here for a complete list of Oscar noms.
Legally-themed films dominate this year’s nominations, including Slumdog Millionaire (10 noms), The Dark Knight (8 noms), Milk, (8 noms), The Reader (5 noms), Frost/Nixon (5 noms), and Changeling (3 noms). Click here for the complete list of nominations.
PS: Popsquire is heading over to TV Guide Network to shoot an Oscar Nomination Special that will air this evening. More posts this afternoon. Come back!
If you’re just tuning in, welcome to Popsquire’s ongoing Oscar celebration, which examines Oscar nominees’ collisions with the law.
Popsquire’s pick of the moment: Sweeney Todd. If you haven’t seen this movie, shame on you, but here’s what you need to know…
This Tim Burton film is a dark musical about a man seeking to avenge his unjust imprisonment and his wife’s death. Amid the singing, the main characters played by Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter kill numerous people, chop them up, and make minced meat out of them — literally.
Popsquire assumes everyone sees the obvious crime of endless murder, but what other unlawful activity do you see in this movie? Below is Popsquire’s list. If you have any to add, let me know!
In anticipation of the Oscars, Popsquire is examining how the nominated films present collisions between pop culture and law…
Juno is a great movie with many legal collisions! In the scene where Juno is exploring adoption with the potential adoptive parents, Jennifer Garner’s character asks if Juno is seeking any “other compensation.” Juno says “No.”
Popsquire’s perspective…
Generally, it is both legal and customary to pay for certain expenses incurred by a birth mother, with various limitations and conditions.
For example, California law provides in Penal Code § 273, that it is legal to assist with a birth mother’s reasonable and necessary pregnancy-related living expenses, for the period of time that she is disabled or unemployable due to the pregnancy.
This payment of expenses must be made unconditionally and as an act of charity — otherwise, it could be considered buying the baby.
If Popsquire were adopting, he’d definitely prefer a birth mother who lives modestly! Just like Notorious B.I.G. said, Mo’ Money Mo’ Problems.
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