Ready or not here come the 76th Annual Academy Awards - Sunday, February 29th, 8:00 p.m. broadcast right here on WTOV9. Get your formals out of the cleaners or your pajamas out of the dryer; put the champagne on ice or the gingerale in champagne glasses; make trays or hors d'oerves or a tray of pizza - whatever ritual you go through at your house for Hollywood's biggest night of the year. Personally I have my own ballot sheet with all of my predictions marked in advance, a coupla cocktails and snacks, and, MOST IMPORTANTLY, NO PHONE!! That's right, I do not answer the phone during the show, not even during commercials. You'd think I was there or, more likely, that my vote and undivided attention counted for something. This is how I've done it for years folks - no party, just me, Doris Day, my husband and select friends.

By the time the show airs I will have certainly seen all of the films in the major categories and some of the lesser ones as well. But my very first observation for this year's broadcast is that Billy Crystal returns (for the 8th time) as host, and he is my favorite - no one since Bob Hope or Johnny Carson (yea, I was watching way back then) comes close to his comedic "MC" abilities.

As for my predictions, I'm calling it The Year of The Lord (of the Rings: Return of the King, that is). I just don't see how it can lose for Best Director, Best Picture, and Best Adapted Screenplay. Best Actor is the only toss up for me. The Academy usually votes for the more dramatic and so I'd say Sean Penn's a gimme, but Bill Murray is very popular and although his role wasn't really comedic, it was certainly lighter fare than Penn's. I'd be happy if it went to Murray. Best Actress should go hands down to Charlize Theron who absolutely transformed herself into the real-life Aileen Wournos, America's first female serial killer in "Monster." "Finding Nemo" should take Best Animated Feature Film. Best Supporting Actor will probably go to Tim Robbins, although I thought his performance was over-the-top and would give the statute to Ken Watanabe for "The Last Samurai." Best Supporting Actress is too close to call but I call Renee Zellweger for "Cold Mountain." Original Screenplay honors could go to Sofia Coppola for "Lost In Translation," but may end up in the hands of Jim, Naomi and Kristen Sheridan for their tale of "In America." Musically I also believe that "Lord of the Rings: Return of the King" will come away a winner for score and song, "Into the West."

[Las Vegas Oddsmakers predict "The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King," Sean Penn, Charlize Theron, Tim Robbins, Renee Zellweger.]

Filmmaker Blake Edwards will receive an honorary Oscar for his 50+ year career. He's given us films like "The Days of Wine and Roses," "Breakfast at Tiffanys," "10," and the popular "Pink Panther" movies.

But there are always surprises (and disappointments) so lets just tune in and see if my predictions come true or if your favorites win. Have a good time and enjoy the show.

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