OSCAR SPECIAL
HOW TO PARTY LIKE A HOLLYWOOD STAR IN YOUR LIVING ROOM
WHEN DOES IT START?
Unless you’re lucky enough to have a seat in the Dolby Theatre you can catch all the action on Sky Oscars, from 1.30am to 5am. Stock up on the drinks and popcorn.
WHO IS TIPPED TO WIN?
La La Land’s 14 nominations – best picture, best director, best actor, best actress, etc – have prompted a backlash, with people falling over themselves to find fault with the plot and the acting. Variety’s awards editor Kristopher Tapley, however, says that “barring anything wildly unforeseen, La La Land should stay on track to win best picture, as well as director and actress honours ... Another safe bet is Viola Davis as supporting actress for Fences.” Tapley leans towards Denzel Washington (Fences) as best actor and Mahershala Ali (Moonlight) as best supporting actor. One betting specialist has analysed the winners of each award since 1995 to reveal common characteristics and produce an “Oscar profile”, the perfect candidate for the prize. It thus predicts La La Land as best picture, Casey Affleck (Manchester By The Sea) as best actor, La La’s Emma Stone for best actress as well as the Oscar for its director Kenneth Lonergan, Mahershala Ali for best supporting actor and Naomie Harris (also Moonlight) for best supporting actress.
WHAT TIME SHOULD YOU GO TO BED? On Oscars night a few years ago I went to bed at around 8pm and set the alarm for 1am but slept through it, woke up suddenly at 1.40am and was in front of the TV at 2am, thus making me utterly useless that day. (Hardly a first for you! Editor)
Try setting two alarms. Or go for the all-nighter. You’re only young once. Once you’re up and about in the pre-dawn darkness, pace yourself. Nip outside for some fresh air. Enjoy the starry night and the magnificent solitude (take an umbrella just in case). Then scuttle back to your armchair in time for the nominations for Sound Editing. WHAT SNACKS SHOULD YOU EAT?
Energy bars. Protein snacks – nuts or seeds. Some dieticians suggest an advance protein-rich meal, a salmon cutlet or a chicken breast, say. Alternatively, you could go for the traditional option, with popcorn, hot dogs or nachos.