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Jane Fonda and Richard Perry
Scarlett Johansson
Billy Crystal
Salma Hayek
Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson
Jessica Chastain
Emma Stone

By the time Woody won, he had fallen asleep and Soon-Yi didn’t want to wake him. The next morning he went to the breakfast table alone and read in The New York Times that he had won. He had to think it was a good omen and he would not catch a cold that day.
Before Michael and I flattened our recliner chairs for the big sleep, I told him I felt confident his Iranian film A Separation would win Best Foreign Film. He told me The Artist would take Best Picture and Director. Actor was a tight race between Brad Pitt, Jean Dujardin, the “Clooney of France” and the real George Clooney. George was essentially running against a version of himself, which only slightly amused him.
The biggest dilemma was Viola vs. Meryl. Michael picked Meryl as New Yorkers did.

Meryl’s publicist Leslee Dart whispered to me. “She is dressed like an Oscar. What do we do if she loses?”

The Help had taken on a life of its own lead by vivacious Viola in LA. The Iron Lady, a much criticized film, showcased Meryl’s tour-de-force performance. Few knew at the last minute, on President’s weekend, Harvey’s shout out, “She hasn’t won in 29 years!” resonated.
An androgynous driver named Monica greeted me at the airport in a black tuxedo that would make Albert Nobbs weep for joy, prompting me to devilishly think of her as “Nobbs” all weekend. She barely recognized me sporting a new Sally Hershberger hairdo, “the yenta with the dragon tattoo.”
Checking into the Beverly Hills Hotel I bumped into Best Actress nominee, Golden Globe and Spirit Award winner Michelle Williams with her daughter Matilda Ledger headed to the swimming pool. Innocently standing there with no makeup she was remarkably the antithesis of Marilyn Monroe. I told her she so deserved the Oscar for her mesmerizing transformation which did not cheer her up knowing the

60 | AVENUE MAGAZINE • APRIL 2012
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