THIS WAS FINALLY A PERFECT OSCAR SHOW

CONGRATULATIONS, JIMMY KIMMEL AND PRODUCERS MIKE DELUCA AND JENNIFER TODD. THE SHOW WAS A DAZZLER. WHEN YOU GET IT RIGHT, IT'S RIGHT.

WITH AN EXTRAORDINARY SET OF 45 MILLION SWAROVSKI CRYSTALS, AND A GEODE DESIGN BY DEREK MCLANE, THE SHOW LIFTED OFF AND NEVER CRASHED DOWN. It was not only the stet arch, but all the other sets that looked like old movie palaces, that stole the show.

Jimmy was wonderful. He's an easy host like Bob Hope and Johnny Carson--the two best Oscar hosts ever. (Special Mention to Billy Crystal--I love you, too).

The show was finally respectful, after too many trashy moments and speeches in recent years. They focused on honoring the remarkable films and stars who have won over the past 90 years by using incredible film clips, reminding everyone of the magic of Hollywood. It made one proud to be in the industry. There were very few political slams. Whatever people wished to say was done graciously and totally appropriate.



SOME FAVORITE MOMENTS: The strength of Mary J. Blige's performance; the strength of Keala Settle's performance from THE GREATEST SHOWMAN; the power of Jennifer Lawrence, Emma Stone, Nicole Kidman, Sandra Bullock AND JANE FONDA AND HELEN MIRREN showed the world how women/people are supposed to be--present themselves in a tasteful way, show your intelligence and heart, and go for it every day of your life. To me, this is how change is made---by example. Every single woman in this show took no prisoners. What incredible role models for the young boys and girls watching.

Helen Mirren and a Jet Ski. Brilliant.

Harold Wheeler's music of Oscar winning play-ons and play-offs songs added greatly to the magic. It was fantastic to be reminded of what an true Oscar-winning song should sound ike. I will never recover from "It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp."

My only complaint--and it will never be fixed, and the Oscar producers tell nominees over and over and over again to  NOT BRING A PAPER WITH A LIST ON IT AND READ IT ON STAGE. I wish the "Get Out" Guy would actually have come out and thrown a couple off.

Thank you for asking all the women nominees to stand up.

I happily ended up at Lucie Arnaz' house ( car trouble kept me from LA at the last minute). and she had my favorite line of the night. We were watching Andra Day start to sing something, and neither one of us could make out any words. It seemed like all oohs and aahs and runs.

Lucie looked at the TV and said, "I'd like to buy a consonant."