The Oscar Week Breakdown: Part I of VIII

With the sports world in its February hibernation period (and no, the Pro Bowl and the NBA's Radioshack Shooting Stars competition don't count), W.S.Y.A. will turn its focus on the Academy Awards for the week leading up to next Sunday's ceremony. Each day I'll break down one of the major categories and provide my picks on who should and who will take home the Oscar. Today we'll start with an overview of the event:

THE CEREMONY

When they announced a few months ago that Chris Rock would be hosting the Oscars, I was both incredulous and gleeful. Who knew that the academy would risk its hallowed gravitas by turning the mic over to the star of Pootie Tang? Rock has said in interviews that he won't pull any punches, and I'm expecting his disses to be both scathing and wide-ranging. But given that it is the most important night in Hollywood (and that Chris Rock is now firmly entrenched in a Hollywood film career), I think he'll pick safer targets for his barbs (say, Tara Reid rather than Clint Eastwood).

As for the red carpet hoopla, the Oscars follow a predicatble pattern. Every year, the media comes to a consensus that it's Someone's Night. It was Gwyneth Paltrow's Night in 1999, Julia Roberts's Night in 2001 and Charlize Theron's Night last year. The idea is that attention will turn to one attractive, well-liked actress who is favored to win not only an Oscar but also the crown of Best Dressed on E! Fashion Police. In a self-fulfilling prophecy, the actress does just that, and is splashed across the cover of every newspaper the next day. Looking at this year's Lead and Supporting Actress nominees, however, I don't see anyone who quite fits that bill. Hilary Swank is well-respected but she already had Her Night in 2000 and she's not really a movie star (have you ever heard anyone say that they're a "Hilary Swank fan"?). Natalie Portman and Kate Winslet have enough looks and star power, but everyone knows that neither of them have much of a chance to win in their respective categories.

So this means that Sunday will be the rare case when Someone's Night goes to a guy. It's happened before, with Mel Gibson's Braveheart statuette/plaid vest combo in 1996, so there is some precedent. It will be Jamie Foxx's Night this year, as he is the overwhelming favorite in his category, he's well liked by fans and media, and he's a snappy dresser. Speaking of which, I really hope that Foxx or some other prominent young actor sports a bowtie on Sunday. Over the past few years, the tuxedo outfit has seen a phasing out of the bowtie in favor of the funeral-esque black necktie. The tuxedo is the one place where a bowtie doesn't look ridiculous and as a fan of formality, I hate to see the tux being morphed into the same class as business suit. Foxx didn't even bother to wear any tie to last month's Golden Globes. If this trend continues unchecked, guys will start showing up to award ceremonies in nothing more than blazers, khakis and polo shirts. As Ron Burgundy would say, let's stay classy, Hollywood.