2017 Oscars Open Post: Hosted by Natalie Portman’s Oscars absence

23rd Screen Actors Guild Awards (SAG)

Here is your Open Post for the 2017 Academy Awards. This year’s Open Post is hosted by superpregnant Natalie Portman, who is a nominee tonight for Best Actress for Jackie. I finally saw Jackie last week and I was actually impressed with Portman. I liked the film overall, I thought she did a good job as Jackie Kennedy and I thought Portman absolutely deserved an Oscar nomination. I don’t think she deserves to win for the role, but then again, I don’t think Emma Stone deserves to win for La La Land and Emma is absolutely going to win (probably!).

I guess Portman knows that she’s not going to get jack sh-t because she announced on Saturday that she would not be attending any events this weekend, including the Oscars. She’s probably due any moment now but if she really thought she had a chance at picking up the Oscar, she would risk it and go to the ceremony. But she’s convinced she has no shot and why bother? She’s super-preg, tired and her feet hurt. Plus, Dior probably offered her another ridiculous tent dress and she didn’t want to wear it.

So, I hope this year’s Oscars are good. I think several of categories have honest-to-goodness surprises, so that will be fun to see. We’ll be posting the big winners (acting categories and Best Director/Best Picture) throughout the evening. We’ll have full fashion and Oscars-coverage starting bright and early tomorrow, and I’m sure that the Oscar-party coverage will bleed into Tuesday too.

CB and I will be tweeting throughout the red carpet and the Oscars telecast – you can follow me here @KaiseratCB and you can follow CB here @Celebitchy.

23rd Screen Actors Guild Awards (SAG)

Photos courtesy of WENN, Fame/Flynet.

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194 Responses to “2017 Oscars Open Post: Hosted by Natalie Portman’s Oscars absence”

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  1. lightpurple says:

    She can upstage them all if she has the baby tonight.

    • Miss M says:

      Thanks for posting this link. Did you notice the difference between Oscar voter #5 (actor’s branch) and #6 (director’s branch). At least the latter made more chance of his/her choices… The #5 sounded really dumb…

      • Ana says:

        I found that voter 6 is very disrespectful though, the way he refers to all the actors and can’t even be bothered to check their names before answering. I’m sure this director, whoever he is (he’s obviously a man), hasn’t probably directed a film in a while.

        These ballots make me lose so much respect for the Academy members.

      • Miss M says:

        @ Ana: I agree w/ assessment. But, at least, he was able to articulate his vote…

    • hannah89 says:

      It blows my mind that academy members break the rules and vote for categories where they haven’t seen all the films. Unreal. I don’t know if this one is the one where he/she mentions they didn’t see Moonlight but liked La La Land and that’s why they voted for the director and film for best picture. Seriously??

      • Miss M says:

        #6 voted for Moonlight.

      • Lucy2 says:

        That bothers me too. I feel like if they are going to vote in a category, they should make every effort to watch every film nominated. Especially since they are given the screeners and can watch at home for free!

    • Bridget says:

      The part I took away is “how did someone not like Taraji in the first place?!?”

  2. Lucy says:

    I’d be pretty awesome if she went into labor tonight. I hope she’s doing well. Looking forward to the ceremony, and to seeing Jimmy Kimmel as a host.

  3. Daisy says:

    Ruth Negga is wearing way too much red.
    Isabelle looks lovely, as does Miranda’s mother.

    • Annetommy says:

      Yes. God I envy Huppert’s slimness at “a certain age”. Lucas Hedges nominated for Manchester BTS was such a little charmer in the interview…

    • Carmen says:

      I like the red but not the design. Huppert’s dress is lovely.

    • tifzlan says:

      I thought Ruth looked absolutely beautiful. She is just so delicately gorgeous, i get strong 40s Old Hollywood Glam vibes from her – which is everything that i live for. So maybe that’s just my bias showing…

  4. Carmen says:

    I couldn’t give a fart who wins what. I’m only watching the red carpet entrances so I can make fun of what everybody’s wearing.

  5. Lacia Can says:

    Eh … she probably has to pee every 5 minutes. Who’d want to sit through 3+ hours feeling like that? No shame in skipping the self congratulations this year.

  6. Bridget says:

    Oh man. The E! folks are usually such idiots. But Seacrest just showed Lin Manuel Miranda a special message from the Hamilton peeps and it just killed me.

    • Aqua says:

      Their coverage really sucks this year and why why why is Kris Kardashian part of the fashion panel. I’m over it.

    • Sabrine says:

      Cut the pregnant lady some slack. Maybe she doesn’t want to risk her water breaking when she’s walking down the red carpet….sheesh, why would anyone even think to criticize her absence….

  7. lightpurple says:

    I’m just going to take Viggo Mortensen and Gael Garcia Bernal over here for the rest of the evening.

    • Nona says:

      Excellent taste, lightpurple. They are number one and two in the top 40 of my heart as well.

    • teacakes says:

      @lightpurple – you can take Gael if I get Diego (who is absent tonight but really shouldn’t have been, he was so delightful at the Golden Globes – I want more people here for Rogue One!)

  8. Sushismama says:

    What the heck is Kristian Cavillari (sic) doing there?

  9. paolanqar says:

    Does any of you know where can I watch the oscars online from the UK?

  10. Aqua says:

    It’s not like Natalie has any chance of winning.

  11. Pandora says:

    Taraji P has mad boob contour going on.

  12. Daisy says:

    Taraji was rude to Ryan.
    She looks sensational, but I would lose the necklace.

  13. jerkface says:

    Blerg. If she isn’t there then just let her not be there, or here.

  14. Pandora says:

    Kirsten Dunst looks amazing

  15. Lightpurple says:

    Is Taraji’s gorgeous dress dark purple or dark blue? It isn’t black.

    Kirsten Dunst’s dress is stunning too.

  16. hannah89 says:

    Moonlight = should win.
    La La Land = will win.

    but the academy will still pat themselves on the back and go ‘but look at all the black people we NOMINATED! see! we’re not racist!’

    please.

  17. Android says:

    Ginnifer Goodwinn is homely.

    • IlsaLund says:

      I think it’s the short hairstyle. It doesn’t really do anything for her….she should wear her hair longer IMO

    • hannah89 says:

      I agree she looked much better with longer hair….wonder if she has to keep it pixie for the show? she should try growing it back if she can.

    • kibbles says:

      I wonder if she decided to keep her hair short now that she can’t be bothered with two small children. She looked great when she was on Big Love. She should grow her hair longer.

      • Jayna says:

        She said once she has always had her hair short and loves it that way, but that when hired for roles they always want her to wear a wig. I never realized she was wearing wigs in TV shows or movies until that interview. I don’t know when she started wearing it short, but it was way before having her kids.

        I’ve never liked the very short pixie hairstyle on her.

    • bettyrose says:

      Is it weird that she didn’t say anything about her long time co-star Bill Paxton? Or did she say something in a broadcast I didn’t see?

  18. Lightpurple says:

    Did Andrew Garfield just call Ryan Seacrest “Bun?”

  19. Lightpurple says:

    Did Jessica Biel steal that collar from somebody’s Lion King costume?

  20. Carmen says:

    Holy crap! Robin Roberts looks FANTASTIC!!!

  21. the other bronte sister says:

    Off to a good start with the Academy guy praising “Hidden Fences”

  22. Abbess Tansy says:

    Love Octavia Spencer’s dress and I have mixed feelings about feathers. I’ve seen 2 or 3 light gray dresses so far.

    ETA, Ryan Seacrest just call Mahershala, Mohammed?

  23. IlsaLund says:

    I love the short hair style on Janelle Monae

  24. Elizabeth says:

    Chrissy Teigen needs a bra or some tape or something.

  25. IlsaLund says:

    WTF did Halle Berry do with her hair? Did she wash it and didn’t have time to blow dry it….on purpose?

    • Carmen says:

      Halle…. no. Just, NO!!!

    • Locke Lamora says:

      I LOVE her hair. The dress not so much.

      • IlsaLund says:

        No, just no. My daughter’s hair looks like that after a shampoo and before I take a blow dryer to it. Just not feeling it. Perhaps if she had shaped it a lil more like an Afro, but not that wild look

      • Carmen says:

        Her hair looks like she stuck her wet finger in a light socket.

      • Bridget says:

        Far away, it looks good. Close up? I don’t like it. It looks like a bad perm, the curls are too precise and yet oddly placed.

    • Lucy2 says:

      I often love it when people rock hair like that, but it didn’t look right on her. I think she always looks best with very short hair, her face is perfection and it really shows it off.

    • Tulip Garden says:

      I love everything about Halle’s look especially the hair!

  26. Lightpurple says:

    Halle Berry’s hair?

    • Aqua says:

      I was thinking the same thing! what the heck is going on, on top of that womans head!

      • Lightpurple says:

        Close to the scalp, it looks like normal hair but then, it looks like she pulled on some crazy wig.

    • Bridget says:

      I’m disappointed. It’s a really strange wig, and the curls are too artificial and oddly placed for a hairstyle that’s supposed to look wild and natural.

    • Another Anne says:

      It’s like she was starting to putting her wig on and got distracted, and then forgot to finish the job.

  27. Firefly says:

    Who is the guy with ScarJo?

  28. Carmen says:

    Love Jessica Biel’s dress except for the fringe around her neck.

  29. Marty says:

    Absent from the O’s???
    Bummer.

    I like NP and I like her more when she’s pregnant ‘cuz she always looks SUPER HAPPY!!

    Marty

  30. Lightpurple says:

    Why is Jessica Biel sticking herself in front of EVERY microphone? Has she even been in a movie recently?

  31. IlsaLund says:

    Casey Affleck just comes across as an unkempt slimeball…just ewwww

  32. Locke Lamora says:

    Emma Stone looks amazing.
    So far, Emma, Taraji and Isabelle are best dressed.

  33. I'mScaredAsHell says:

    Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman both need to layoff the blonde highlights and Botox.

  34. Carmen says:

    Nicole Kidman actually looks nice.

  35. Solo says:

    Brie Larson looks amazing. She’s so beautiful.

    Not crazy about Scarjos dress, but loving her hair! Wish I could pull that off.

  36. kibbles says:

    Emma Stone doesn’t deserve the Oscar, but she looks very pretty tonight. I like her dress, hair, and makeup. She’s clearly ready for her big moment in Oscar history.

  37. Lightpurple says:

    Viola is glowing. She knows this is her night.

    • Carmen says:

      I dunno.. I’ve seen her looking better. She looks great in red but the hair doesn’t look right. And she overdid it with the false eyelashes.

    • Locke Lamora says:

      I like her dress, but not the hair. She looks best with a bob. This pixie with the highlights looks dated, like something Kelly had in Destiny’s Child.

  38. I'mScaredAsHell says:

    My favorite looks so far have been Isabelle Hubert, Taraji Henson and Kirsten Dunst.

  39. SusanneToo says:

    Michael J. Fox is there. Nice to see him.

  40. Jayna says:

    Why is Kristen Cavallari on the red carpet? WTF?

    Emma Roberts is a lower tier actress. Why is she on the red carpet?

    This is the Oscars, for fck’s sake.

    • Bridget says:

      Can someone explain how her wearing an old Armani gown worked with the green initiative? Every year there’s someone in green, sustainable fashion and it’s about the materials the dress is made with. Not some Armani gown.

      Not to mention, she has no presence. I feel her aunt wasn’t JULIA Emma would be the pretty girl in your high school play.

  41. Jayna says:

    Taraji looks fabulous.

  42. Almondjoy says:

    Janelle freakin Monae. Hailee Steinfeld.

    I. Am. Slayed.

  43. Jayna says:

    Nancy O’Dell’s gown is horrible on her. It’s an ugly gown.

    I just noticed that itlooks like she had her boob implants taken out. I wonder when she did that. I haven’t watched her on TV for years.

  44. tifzlan says:

    Ruth, Taraji and Emma. Gorgeous tonight. Pics don’t do Emma’s dress justice – the fringe is just absolutely beautiful, especially when she walks!

  45. Carmen says:

    Naomie Harris underwhelmed.

  46. kri says:

    So far, I am liking/LOVING everything I see. VIOLA!!! YASS! Ruth Negga looks like a beauty from another time. Brie Larson amazing! Janelle Monae stunning and original. Nicole Kidman’s gown is a work of art. The men are going just as hard. Oh, to wear any of these gowns just one time..SIGH. Early rounding tomm.so this is all I will see. Enjoy it, y’all. Goodnight

  47. IlsaLund says:

    Naomi Harris just said she knows her name won’t be called. But, I don’t know…she could pull an upset tonight.

  48. Oliphant says:

    What has happened to Charlize Theron?? Her face looks insanely jacked 🙁

    • Scarlet Vixen says:

      She’s put on weight for a role, so that’s why she looks puffy. I feel like she looks a little awkward too, like maybe she feels uncomfortable or self-conscious about the extra weight.

  49. Cdoggy says:

    Is it me or does taraji look white? Her coloring looks extremely pale to me.

  50. the other bronte sister says:

    Aww, Mel Gibson brought his granddaughter-wife!

  51. I'mScaredAsHell says:

    Justin timberlake is so insufferable. He just had to photobomb Emma Stones interview

  52. Dttimes2 says:

    It never ceases to amaze me how these actresses with $$ and access can pick such god awful ugly dresses

    • I'mScaredAsHell says:

      IKR? This red carpet was so underwhelming. Such uninspiring fashion. There were so few “best dressed” looks tonight.

  53. Sam says:

    Justin Timberlake’s “photobomb” during Emma’s interview. VOMITING

  54. Solo says:

    Ugh, Justin Timberlake. Go away.

  55. Marley says:

    Timberlake? Bwahahahaha. Could these assholes be any more lame?

  56. IlsaLund says:

    FYI…in case anyone wanted to know…

    Below is the order the 89th annual Academy Awards will be presented.

    Actor in a Supporting Role
    Makeup and Hairstyling
    Costume Design
    Documentary Feature
    Sound Editing
    Sound Mixing
    Actress in a Supporting Role
    Foreign Language Film
    Animated Short Film
    Animation Feature Film
    Production Design
    Visual Effects
    Film Editing
    Documentary Short Subject
    Live Action Short Film
    Cinematography
    Original Score
    Original Song
    Original Screenplay
    Adapted Screenplay
    Directing
    Actor in a Leading Role
    Actress in a Leading Role
    Best Picture

    • Tulip Garden says:

      Thank you for posting this. I am monitoring your list to see if I can make it thru the whole shebang!

  57. SusanneToo says:

    Worst opening ever.

  58. Miss M says:

    My dislike for JT has not decreased a bit…
    I just hope Lin Emanuel Miranda wins or anyone else, but JT.

    • Paula says:

      +1 Why on earth did they open this show with JT when you have Lin in the audience?

      • Miss M says:

        Gawd knows, Paula! Don’t you know everything is about JT?! Even the opening of the Oscars should be about him…

  59. Almondjoy says:

    Justin Timberlake: “I know you know dis Denzel.” 🤦🏽‍♀️

    Crinnnnge

  60. Lucy2 says:

    Justin Timberlake is so annoying. I just can’t stand him. And his haircut looks incredibly stupid.

    • Mel M says:

      Yes yes yes!!! He’s so obnoxious! I just saw a pic of him “photobombing” his own wife. Meaning he stood directly behind her and made a fool of himself. He needs to grow the eff up.

  61. IlsaLund says:

    YES, YES, YES!!! Mahershala Ali

  62. Jayna says:

    Why didn’t someone tell Halle her hair is on crooked? It looks like she woke up from a night of partying and put back on her wig cockeyed, without looking in the mirror, and walked out of the house.

  63. I'mScaredAsHell says:

    How nice to see the real Katherine Johnson can’t believe she’s 98 years old. What a blessing, I loved Hidden Figures.

  64. Lucy2 says:

    I think Taraji’s is my favorite look of the night. Pure glamour!

  65. IlsaLund says:

    The Oscars would be so much better if they limited the commercials and the unnecessary, not at all entertaining “skits, time fillers”. Just present the awards and sing the songs, for goodness sakes and cut out all the other crap.

  66. Locke Lamora says:

    Those poor people. If someone “surprised” me like that and put me on TV I’d be so pissed. Not funny at all.

    • nemera34 says:

      He was trying to create that Ellen thing when she took the selfie. This didn’t work.

      • Locke Lamora says:

        Neither did the Ellen thing. It went viral, but it was not funny.

        So far, he’s a very underwhelming host.

      • I'mScaredAsHell says:

        Agree. It didn’t work and was totally unnecessary. Just makes a long, boring show even longer and boring.

      • nemera34 says:

        @Locke Lamora

        the Ellen selfie did work. It went viral and people are still trying to recreate their own. And I don’t think it was meant to be funny. She said at the time let’s see if we can get this to go viral. IT DID.. So yes it worked.

    • lucy2 says:

      Definitely, some of them looked a little deer in headlights, you know? And it was so awkward, having them have to walk past all the actors and all.

      They all joke about the shows going on too long, but then they fill it with nonsense like this and then cut off the thank you speeches of people receiving the highest honor of their profession.

    • Tough Cookie says:

      that was cringe-making

  67. teacakes says:

    Kiki….. that is a beautiful dress but rather safe by her standards, I wonder if she’s been downplaying her style for awards season because she doesn’t want to steal focus from her Hidden Figures costars?

    As for my other love, Felicity Jones. …. girl, FIRE YOUR STYLIST or at least tell her to get better taste. On one hand I like that she tries different silhouettes but ever since The Theory of Everything, her red carpet style has been wildly uneven. And while she looks beautiful from the neck up, I am not a fan of this ballerina look (great shoes though). idk if I hate it more than the horrible McQueen she wore in 2015 though.

    My favourite dresses are the ones on Ruth Negga and Emma Stone – they know how to give good red carpet and they didn’t play it safe. And Taraji P Henson looks stunning, classic bombshell all the way.

    • Ally8 says:

      I love Felicity Jones’ look! She looks like a Degas sculpture. It’s so beautifully light.

      • teacakes says:

        I love the idea behind Felicity’s dress but it doesn’t look properly fitted in the bust and waist, maybe it’s better in motion?

        I do love her, though, and I was sad to see she didn’t get the requisite round of magazine covers for Rogue One, I really hope she gets to network properly this weekend and it pays off in something good.

  68. IlsaLund says:

    Jimmy Kimmel is not helping with this boring show…..he seems to be struggling. If they’d cut the crap and stick to the awards, this show would be so much better.

    • Val says:

      He is incredibly dull. His delivery and body language suck. Can we get an actual comedian next time?

      • Ally8 says:

        I don’t like him enough to watch his show, but I think he’s doing OK here.

        Hugh Jackman was fantastic that year he hosted. Brought true energy and enthusiasm to the night.

  69. I'mScaredAsHell says:

    I guess the La La Land sweep begins now at this point starting with this cinematography oscar…most of the remaining awards will probably be won by La La Land.

  70. Adrien says:

    Watching the rc/ceremonies very delayed telecast at my SG hotel, the local tv presenter just identified Lin Manuel Miranda as Diego Luna. Christ, not all Latinos look alike. The two guys don’t even look alike.

  71. Val says:

    Why didn’t Ryan Gosling bring Eva Mendes?? This is the Oscars…don’t you want to share it with the love of your life? He always talks about her but then doesn’t let bring her with him to these important moments in his life. Kind of disappointed

  72. Lightpurple says:

    Does Jennifer Aniston always wear dresses with waist high slits and necklines past her navel to memorial services?

  73. Tough Cookie says:

    OMG this is the most awful awards show ever. My husband keeps begging to switch over to Syfy channel to watch the first John Wick movie. I’m passing up Keanu to watch this s*!t

  74. Dappadaph says:

    Does anyone know the name of the song Sara Bareilles sang during the In Memoriam?

  75. homeslice says:

    The tribute song was beautiful…

  76. I'mScaredAsHell says:

    Damn….I did not want mumbles Casey Affleck to win. There is no justice

  77. jerkface says:

    The Troll song makes me want to jam a Q-tip in Timberlakes ear. I know the expression is to jam the q tip in your own ear but I don’t make annoying music so Im not going to punish myself. I’m just trying to help humanity hahaha

  78. SusanneToo says:

    Moonlight!!!

  79. baum says:

    They left Alan Rickman out of the In Memoriam section. How is that possible ?

    • SusanneToo says:

      I thought the In Memoriam section was about half as long as I expected. I just feel sure there were a lot more film related deaths than they covered.

    • teacakes says:

      I think he was included in last year’s In Memoriam? He died in January 2016, enough time to put him in that reel.

  80. Patty says:

    Damn. That was some baby town frolicks at the end there. WTF!?! How does that happen at the Oscars. And it really ruined what should have been a great moment for the cast of Moonlight and it was super awkward for the cast of La La Land.

  81. Whyme says:

    Aww it wasn’t Warren Beatty’s fault he was confused because it said Emma Stone and La La Land Faye Dunaway just saw the La La Land part. That’s on the Academy and whoever handles the envelopes. I mean wouldn’t you triple check that?!

    I feel so bad for La La Land for not really winning and so bad for Moonlight for not getting the proper reaction and time to speak.

  82. Antonym says:

    Did anyone else see Chrissy Tiegan sound asleep on John’s shoulder when the camera panned to Meryl during best actress nominees?