In the wake of so many suicides by GLBT youth due to bullying in recent weeks a bunch of celebrities have banded together or filmed videos on their own to spread the message of hope to the young people who fell hopeless. Much like Dave Navarro did on his official website last week, all kinds of celebs have decided to speak out in order to spread hope. A flurry of It Gets Better videos have been popping up recently in an effort to spread the message as far and wide as possible. Here is a video which features Anne Hathaway, Kristin Cavallari, Jenny McCarthy, Shay Mitchell, Ashley Roberts, Candice Accola, Ian Somerhalder, Candis Cayne, Erika Jayne, Greg Grunberg, Rex Lee, Julie Benz, Michael Chiklis and Kat Graham:

My good friend Pauley Perrette, who stars on NCIS, decided to film and release a video of her own:

As did Good Charlotte frontman Joel Madden:

This message that life gets better is so important because it is so easy for young people who feel hopeless and alone to think that no one understands what they are going thru as they figure out who they are … even worse, many believe that they are unloved, unwanted and will not be missed if they decide to take their own lives. It is my sincere hope that these messages of hope can reach the people who need to hear them the most. The Trevor Project was set up so that young people in need of support can call at any time of the day or night to find the help that they need. Information on The Trevor Project can be found on their official website HERE or they can be reached by calling 1-866-4UTREVOR (866-488-7386). It truly may seem hopeless sometimes … but things do get better.

Pink reader Sarah points us HERE to see the rest of the It Gets Better PSA videos. Check ‘em out, post ‘em on Facebook … help spread the message.

[Source, Source, Source]

On Sunday we got to check out the sexy new poster for the new romantic comedy Love and Other Drugs starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Anne Hathaway and today we get to see a photo published in the new issue of W magazine that features Jake and Anne in bed on the set of their new film. Unfortch, everyone is fully dressed and there is not one iota of sexiness in the photo at all:

I’m not gonna lie … my heart is still CRUSHED that that really sexy, mostly-nekkid photo of Jake Gyllenhaal that I thought was a promo image from the film turned out to be a fake. I’m not gonna lie, I tried to live with the fantasy that the Jakey photo was real but … alas, I had to let the dream go. It doesn’t help matters very much that this new photo is the furthest thing from sexy that you could as for from our dear Jake but … at least it’s something. I’m just hoping that Jake‘s promise to Jimmy Kimmel that he “bares almost all” in the film will turn out to be true … I just don’t think my fragile little heart can take any more disappointment.

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The 2010 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival officially got underway at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, CA yesterday with an opening day line-up that included — among many others — She & Him (made up of Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward), Them Crooked Vultures, Public Image Ltd., Street Sweeper Social Club (who opened for Nine Inch Nails and Jane’s Addiction last year) and Jay-Z. Because the erupting volcano in Iceland has forced the cancellation of air travel in Europe, a few bands were unable to make their way to California this weekend to take the stage at Coachella … but by pretty much all accounts, this year’s fest got off to a pretty fantastic start. Here are some photos of some of her performers who played yesterday on Day 1 and some deets about what went down in Indio:

Jay-Z brought his arena-sized stage show — complete with a guest spot by Beyonce — to the California desert Friday night (April 16), capping off the triumphant first day of the 11th annual Coachella Music and Arts Festival with a rapid succession of more than a decade’s worth of hip hop hits delivered with his trademark braggadocio. The rapper’s show, a celebration of ambition and triumph against long odds, was the perfect coda for an event that has has become one of the most respected – and successful – music festivals in the world. But from the cosmic hipster disco of LCD Soundsystem and the timeless ska-punk of The Specials to deadmau5′s triptastic dance spectacular to Calle 13′s salsa-hop, it was a day for dancing at the Empire Polo Fields, and even the unfortunate news that some European bands, like Friday’s The Cribs, would miss their spots due to travel disruptions from the Icelandic volcano eruption could ruin the good mood of the capacity crowd of 75,000. As Jay-Z breezed and thumped his way through a set that touched on the breadth of his career, anticipation for a surprise guest, one of the festival’s hallmarks, settled over the crowd. The rumoured collaboration by Dr. Dre turned out to be a false starter, but Jay-Z brought his wife Beyonce to the stage and together, the royal hip hop pair sharing a moment of public sweetness with the duet “Forever Young.” The visual component of Jay-Z’s performance made frequent obvious references to current issues, including a scrolling stock ticker and a short video clip of President Obama brushing off his shoulders, a now infamous public reference to the fact that his music has broken yet another barrier: it is listened to in the White House. New York, if not Brooklyn, was a recurring theme among the main stage headliners. Both Jay-Z and LCD Soundsystem, who each claim neighboring parts of Brooklyn as their home, led rousing singalongs of their odes to their hometowns. Before Jay-Z led an oceanic “Empire State of Mind,” James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem insisted that he close his band’s monstrous set with “New York, I Love You (But You’re Bringing Me Down),” a moment that felt provocative as one of the day’s only unavoidably meloncholic songs. Jay-Z also took time from his set to acknowledged other Brooklyn-based bands performing during the festival’s first day, including Passion Pit, Grizzly Bear and Yeasayer.

Each year it seems like Coachella gets bigger and bigger … and while it is up to the individual to determine if bigger means better, there is no question that the ever-growing music festival continues to draw huge audiences. I believe Coachella sold out really early this year, even after a change was made in ticket sales that insisted that attendees buy access to all 3 days (rather than in previous years where you could buy tickets for individual days if you so desired). After the jump, check out some photos of some of the celebs who showed up in the crowd at Coachella yesterday to partake of the annual event …

Tim Burton‘s fantastical new 3D film Alice in Wonderland won’t open in theaters until next Friday March 5 but the film had its world premiere in Odeon Leicester Square in London, England earlier today … kicking off the film’s final PR push leading up to the film’s release. Here are a few photos from the red green carpet arrivals at today’s Wonderland premiere:

Maybe it’s just her natural complexion or she wanted to bring an element of her character to tonight’s proceedings. Whatever the reason, Anne Hathaway decided on a pale and interesting look as she attended the Royal World Premiere of Tim Burton’s Alice In Wonderland in London tonight. The actress, who plays The White Queen in the new 3D movie, looked stunning in a brown sparkly dress, which showed off her white skin beautifully. Despite her strapless dress, she braved the cold and wet weather, which is pretty much guaranteed whenever there’s a red carpet event in London at this time of the year. And a little thing like the rain was certainly not going to stop the stars of the film attending the premiere of the acclaimed director’s new celluloid offering. Burton arrived arm-in-arm with actress partner Helena Bonham-Carter, who plays the foul-tempered monarch the Queen of Hearts, and had accessorised her outfit with red heart earrings and had sewn silver hearts into her dress. Johnny Depp, who plays the Mad Hatter, was one of the first to arrive in Leicester Square in London, dressed quite somberly compared to his on-screen alter-ego. The 46-year-old actor, looked rather dapper in a black suit and white open-necked shirt as he posed for pictures outside the venue. Ironically, the film is being premiered at the Odeon cinema, part of the cinema chain that initially refused to screen the film after a row with Disney over the early planned release of the DVD … Thankfully, the dispute was resolved today just in time for tonight’s premiere.

And so … the countdown is on for the much-anticipated release of Alice in Wonderland! Today’s premiere from London was broadcast live online so that fans from around the world could watch the celebs make their way down the rain-soaked carpet … I watched a bit of it but it wasn’t all that interesting. I’m totally focused on the film itself. David and I will be attending an early screening of the film next week at the El Capitan Theater on Hollywood Blvd. and I am SO excited!! Wee!! Can’t wait!!

[Photo credit: Wireimage; Source]

Last night the principal stars of the new movie version of Alice In Wonderland, directed by Tim Burton, surprised fans online and in person by appearing at a fan event sponsored by Disney and My Space at the Hollywood and Highland Complex in Hollywood, CA to preview the film and the film’s soundtrack. As you might imagine, Johnny Depp (who plays The Mad Hatter in Wonderland) garnered the biggest cheers from the crowd when he was brought out on stage:

The anticipation is building for the release of Tim Burton’s fantastical Alice in Wonderland and fans of the movie were treated to a sneak preview of the film AND a special surprise appearance from Johnny Depp Friday night in Hollywood. Looking dashing in his trademark tinted glasses and a scarf, Johnny Depp was greeted by deafening screams as he stood on stage at the Alice in Wonderland Fan Event at the Hollywood and Highland complex. Depp plays the Mad Hatter in the film and he was joined by director Tim Burton and fellow co-stars Helena Bonham Carter, Mia Wasikowska, Crispin Glover, Michael Sheen, Matt Lucas and Anne Hathaway. Sponsored by MySpace, the event featured performances from four featured artists who performed their songs from the soundtrack “Almost Alice.” Rocking out to a packed audience, 3OH!3, Metro Station, Kerli and Never Shout Never ramped up the anticipation for the appearance of the film’s stars. The 3D fantasy adventure Alice in Wonderland hits theaters on March 5.

Disney had been hyping last night’s event all day long on Twitter … to be honest, had I known the event would feature the stars in person, I might’ve braved the rain to attend myself. After the jump, check out photos of some of the other Wonderland stars on stage last night …

Last November we got our very FIRST LOOK at Johnny Depp in full make-up and costume as The Mad Hatter in Tim Burton‘s new film, Alice in Wonderland. Today, we get to see a whole slew of new promo photos from the upcoming Disney film including finished character art of Depp as The Mad Hatter, Helena Bonham Carter as The Red Queen, Anne Hathaway as The White Queen and Matt Lucas as Tweedledee & Tweedledum. First up, tho, check out these very cool-looking promo pics from the film of Wonderland itself:

Burton gave us a grief-wracked demon barber in 2007′s Sweeney Todd and oodles of Oompa Loompas in 2005′s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Now one of Hollywood’s most visually creative directors layers his own surreal sensibilities upon the fanciful world of Lewis Carroll in Disney’s Alice in Wonderland, due in theaters on March 5, 2010. This first look at some of the concept art for the film suggests there is the usual Burton dark magic afoot.

Yes, yes … these images are really beautiful and hint at a more sinister Wonderland than we may be accustomed to … but it is the character art that really gives you a good feel for the tone of the film. After the jump, check out the amazing promo images of The Mad Hatter, The Red Queen, The White Queen and The Tweedles …

Broadway’s biggest night took place at Radio City Music Hall in NYC, NY last night as the 63rd Annual Tony Awards were handed out in a lavish and fun ceremony. Hosted by Neil Patrick Harris, this year’s Tony Awards injected mirth and merriment into the awards show that honors achievement in plays and musical theater on New York City’s Great White Way. Billy Elliot the Musical, which David and I were fortunate enough to see earlier this year, set a record by winning 10 Tony Awards last night, including Best Actor in a Musical (an award that was given to the 3 young actors who play Billy in the show … which is a first in Tony Awards history) and Best Musical. Here are a few pics from the red carpet arrivals:

Yes, folks … that is Bret Michaels of Poison in the last photo. The band was on hand to preform with the company of Rock of Ages in the opening number … which turned out to be a quite a performance, especially for Bret — but I’ll get to that in a sec. Here are a few photos of some of the Tony Award winners last night and some deets about the show itself:

Broadway productions with roots in the London theater dominated the 63rd annual Tony Awards on Sunday, with “Billy Elliot” winning best musical and nine other awards and “God of Carnage” picking up honors for best play, best director and best actress. While several categories were unusually competitive this year because of the large number of strong Broadway productions, there were also no major upsets. The three teenage boys who rotate in the title role of “Billy Elliot” — David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik and Kiril Kulish — jointly won the award for best actor in a musical, as expected, and they also injected considerable charm into the CBS telecast. Standing onstage together, they covered their eyes with their hands at different points and looked away from the camera bashfully while muttering sentiments like “Oh my God” and “wow” and “unbelievable.” Then they took a long pause, as if trying to decide who should speak first — joint Tony Awards are very rare — and then went on to thank their parents and siblings and school and dance teachers. “And we want to say to all the kids out there who might want to dance, never give up,” Mr. Kulish added. “Billy Elliot” proved to be the commercial and critical musical hit of the 2008-9 Broadway season, routinely grossing more than $1 million a week in spite of the recession. Elton John, who composed the show’s score, made a point of thanking audience members for that success as he accepted the award for best musical. “We came here at a hard time economically, you opened your wallets and you opened your hearts, and we love you for it,” he said. This year’s awards were spread around evenly for the most part, with 14 shows receiving at least one Tony. With “Billy Elliot” far ahead, the musical “Next to Normal” and “God of Carnage” were next up with three Tonys each, including best actress honors for Alice Ripley for “Normal” and Marcia Gay Harden for “Carnage.” The French playwright Yasmina Reza accepted the best play award for “Carnage,” which also took honors for the British director Matthew Warchus. “I’m very happy to be here again — maybe you missed my accent; you wanted to hear it again?” said Ms. Reza, who previously won for her play “Art.” The award for best revival of a play went to another British import, “The Norman Conquests.” If accents were indeed in large supply through the night, so were celebrity presenters and recipients, with Broadway having one of its busiest years for actors from film and television. The Oscar-winning actor Geoffrey Rush (an Australian) was honored as best actor in a play as the monarch in “Exit the King” by Eugène Ionesco, whose works came to define the Theater of the Absurd yet are rarely revived on Broadway. “I want to thank Manhattan theater audiences for proving that French existential absurdist tragi-comedy rocks,” Mr. Rush said. Politics strayed onto the Tony landscape at only a couple of points, most notably when Oskar Eustis, artistic director of the Public Theater, accepted the award for best musical revival for “Hair.” “Peace now, freedom now, equality now,” Mr. Eustis said, gesturing to his ring finger as he uttered those last two words, a reference to gay marriage rights. “And justice forever.” Angela Lansbury won her fifth Tony Award, for best featured actress in a play, for her turn as the medium in “Blithe Spirit,” 43 years after winning her first award, for best actress in the musical “Mame.” “Who knew, who knew, that at this time in my life that I should be presented with this lovely, lovely award,” said Ms. Lansbury, who is 83. Liza Minnelli received the Tony for special theatrical event for her one-woman show “Liza’s at the Palace.” For best featured performances in a musical, Gregory Jbara (“Billy Elliot”) and Karen Olivo (“West Side Story”) were honored. The best featured actor award went to another theater veteran, Roger Robinson, for his role in “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone.” Other awards went to Stephen Daldry for his direction of “Billy Elliot,” “Mary Stuart” for costume design and “Equus” for sound design. All three shows had runs in London before the current Broadway productions were mounted.

I am so happy that Billy Elliot won so many awards. It is truly a superb show, one that David and I thoroughly enjoyed when we saw in January. We saw Trent Kowalik play Billy at our show and really loved his performance … the award to the 3 Billys is much deserved, I think. Congrats!! I’m not sure how many of you watched the Tony Awards last night but it was a very entertaining show. The opening number included short performances from 10 different musicals and offered one of the most talked about/funniest moments of the show. After the jump, check out video from that opening number and see how Poison‘s Bret Michaels almost lost his head during the opening performance …

The Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute held it’s annual fashion gala, this year titled Model as Muse: Embodying Fashion, at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC last night (think of it as Celebrity Prom). Rihanna made her red carpet return, taking a stroll down the press-filled carpet for the first time since her assault back in February … she opted for a shiny black suit with floods. Madonna caused a sensation on the red carpet when she showed up with a coat hanger wrapped in an old turquoise stocking attached to her head. A who’s who of fab celebs braved the rain to attend last night’s gala and many of them looked amazing (Anne Hathaway, I’m talking to you). Here are a few pics from the red carpet arrivals and some info on the event itself:

Even with the rain, the stars shone bright Monday night at the Costume Institute’s gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Models and the hottest celebs turned out in droves to celebrate “The Model as Muse” exhibit. There was Gisele Bundchen and Chanel Iman, along with Victoria Beckham, Jessica Alba (in Michelle Obama favorite Jason Wu), Renee Zellweger (in Carolina Herrera), Eva Mendes (in Calvin Klein) and Eva Longoria, wearing Diane von Furstenberg. Chairing the event were Marc Jacobs, Kate Moss and Justin Timberlake, who rocked a pair of geek-chic specs (and girlfriend Jessica Biel). For a party celebrating models, the guest list was missing a few of the big ones. Legendary supermodels Stephanie Seymour and Naomi Campbell opted out of attending the gala – reportedly in solidarity with their date, designer Azzedine Alaia, who felt his clothes were underrepresented in the exhibit. And Christy Turlington is abroad filming. But though those notable ’90s frock stars’ absence left the party, well, a lot less super – even with Cindy Crawford in the house – fashion’s new guard arrived in full force. Heidi Klum, pregnant with her fourth child and wearing J. Mendel, promised to wear “high heels in the delivery room.” Tyra Banks wore Badgley Mischka, and Rachel Roy dressed India-born Lakshmi Menon. Kanye West helped deflect reports he’s broken up with model Amber Rose by making a show of support – literally, gripping her as she teetered and adjusting her dress. Model behavior, indeed.

It turns out that Maddy‘s funky headpiece was designed by Marc Jacobs and, apparently, is a look that was used on the runway at the Fall fashion shows this year. Unfortch, I think the contraption makes her look like a geriatric Playboy bunny. Not a good look for her. Methinks that she was heavily inspired to wear something “wacky” at last night’s Costume Institute Gala after she attended Lady GaGa‘s concert in NYC over the weekend. But, there were many other folks who looked utterly faboo at last night’s event. Vicky B. rocked her usual short skirt look (meh). But there were a lot of really great looks on the red carpet last night. After the jump, check out a few more pics from last night’s event and see who rocked and who LOLed …

Various celebs from the world of independent film made their way out to the Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica, CA yesterday to attend the annual Film Independent’s Spirit Awards which are traditionally handed out on the eve of the Academy Awards. Honoring independent film and independent filmmakers, the Indies are handed out in a casual and usually celebratory atmosphere … and last night’s awards show was no exception. The Wrestler and the film’s lead Mickey Rourke did very well at this year’s Indies, taking home the top film and male acting prize … setting the stage for a possible repeat at tonight’s Academy Awards. Here are a few photos from the red carpet arrivals and some info on last night’s awards show:

Mickey Rourke and “The Wrestler” have won top honors at the Spirit Awards, the annual eve-of-Oscars salute to the best of independent cinema. Rourke, a nominee at Sunday’s Academy Awards, won the best actor for his performance as a washed-up prizefighter in director Darren Aronofsky’s moving drama, which later scooped the ceremony’s best picture prize. Rourke’s award was the latest in a series of honors that have gone to the 56-year-old, who has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity after his career suffered a prolonged slump through the 1990s. In a typically profanity-laced acceptance speech, Rourke dedicated the win to “Wrestler” director Aronofsky — and his pet chihuahua, who died last week. “I’ve just gotten thousands of letters from strangers and people that know me about my dog that died six days ago, Loki. This is for you baby,” he said. “Thank you Darren Aronofsky for believing in me. Directors like Darren come around every 25 years,” added Rourke. Aronofksy said he had been drawn to the “The Wrestler” because of its subject matter. “Wrestling was a world no one had tackled in a serious way, and the more we looked into that world, the more complex it seemed,” he said. In other awards Saturday, Oscar nominee Melissa Leo won the best actress award for her performance in the human-trafficking drama “Frozen River.” Tom McCarthy meanwhile took best director honors for “The Visitor,” which is notable for helping journeyman Richard Jenkins earn a best actor nomination at Sunday’s Oscars. In the supporting actor and actress categories, Spanish siren Penelope Cruz won for her performance in Woody Allen’s steamy comedy “Vicky Cristina Barcelona.” Cruz will be seeking to emulate the success at the Oscars, where she is nominated in the best supporting actress category. “I didn’t expect this,” Cruz said. “I go to all awards like this, not expecting anything, so it’s always a surprise when I win.” Meanwhile James Franco picked up the best supporting actor award for his portrayal of gay politician Harvey Milk’s long-time lover Scott Smith in the Gus Van Sant biopic “Milk,” which also earned best first screenplay for writer Dustin Lance Black. Black later paid tribute to Sean Penn’s portrayal of Milk, California’s first openly gay elected official. “Sean’s performance really captured Harvey,” Black said. “That’s why this film has such a connection beyond gay and lesbian audiences. We need to continue building the coalitions that Harvey was so good at.” In other notable awards Saturday, France’s “The Class (Entre Les Murs)” won the best foreign film, while the best documentary went to “Man on Wire,” director James Marsh’s exhilarating account of Frenchman Philippe Petit’s tight-rope walk between the two towers of the World Trade Center in 1974. “What Philippe did was to stop time, it was a little miracle,” Marsh told reporters.

Altho the Film Indepedent’s Spirit Awards are only 25 years old, I love that there is a place for Indie films to get their due when, overwhelmingly, the Motion Picture Academy tends to overlook many amazing performances due to, well, their indieness. True, some Independent Films and actors get honored at the Academy Awards but, for the most part, name recognition plays a huge part in the voting process. I’m sure many of you have never even heard of the film Frozen River and yet, it was one of the year’s strongest films. After the jump, check out a couple photos from the show itself and some pics of a few winners posing with their Indie trophies in the press room afterward …

Last night the 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards were handed out here in Hollywood at the Shrine Auditorium and were broadcast LIVE on TBS and TNT for all the world to see (including me, on my JetBlue flight home from NYC). The SAG Awards, which are given out to actors by fellow actors, is the last major awards show to take place before the Academy Awards are handed out next month … and may give a sneak peek as to what may go down come Oscar time. Slumdog Millionaire won the big prize for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture while Meryl Streep (Doubt), Sean Penn (Milk), Kate Winslet (The Reader) and the late Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight) won the awards for Best Actress, Actor, Supporting Actress and Supporting Actor respectively. Here are a few photos from the red carpet arrivals last night:

Amy Adams and Emily Blunt looked amazing … Jon Hamm (of Mad Men) looked weird without his now trademark slicked-back hair. I don’t like the longer locks on him. Katrina Bowden, who stars in NBC‘s 30 Rock, wore a beautiful blue dress designed by Project Runway season 4 winner Christian Siriano. She looked really supercute fierce in her dress, I think.

As I mentioned above, some of my fave actors took home the top prizes last night … here are pics of the big winners accepting their awards (called Actors) on stage or posing with them in the press room after winning their awards:

The actors of “Slumdog Millionaire” won outstanding performance by a cast in a motion picture, and Heath Ledger posthumously won best supporting male actor at the 15th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on Sunday. “It was overwhelming enough to be nominated, but to win this is unbelievable,” said “Slumdog” actor Anil Kapoor of the award given to him and his cast mates at Los Angeles’ Shrine Exposition Center. The cast’s win comes two weeks after the modestly budgeted movie, about a poverty-raised orphan in Mumbai who goes on the Indian version of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,” won the Golden Globe award for best drama. The film has been nominated for 10 Oscars, including for best picture. “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” the big name when the Academy Award nominations were announced earlier this week, was shut out at the SAG Awards. The movie leads all films with 13 Oscar nods. Ledger, who was 28 when he died just more than a year ago of an accidental prescription drug overdose, won his award for his role in “The Dark Knight,” 2008′s box-office king. Ledger’s performance was widely praised, and he won the Golden Globe for best supporting actor two weeks ago. He also is considered the front-runner for an Academy Award for supporting actor. Actor Gary Oldman accepted the SAG award for his friend. “He was an extraordinary young man with an extra ordinary talent, and it is wonderful that you have acknowledged that and honored that talent tonight,” Oldman said. Josh Brolin, one of four actors who lost to Ledger on Sunday night, compared the SAG awards to “a big campfire we’re all showing up for.” “It’s not a competition,” Brolin said. “We’re just happy to party together.” Meryl Streep echoed Brolin’s words when she accepted for best leading actress in a movie for her role in “Doubt.” “Can I just say there’s no such thing as the best actress,” Streep said. Streep was dressed as if she might ready for Brolin’s campfire, wearing black pants, a black blouse and no jewelry except for earrings. “I didn’t even buy a dress,” she said. Sean Penn, chosen as best leading male actor in a movie for “Milk,” told the four actors he won against that he wept when he watched their work. “You’re stunning,” Penn said. Penn’s took a brief political turn when spoke about “Milk,” the story of a gay San Francisco politician assassinated in 1978. “This is a story about equal rights for all human beings,” Penn said. Kate Winslet’s win as best supporting actress for her performance as Hanna Schmitz in “The Reader” could help her best actress Oscar nomination for the same role. Winslet was nominated for SAG’s lead actress in a movie for “Revolutionary Road,” but lost to Streep. The SAG Awards are watched closely by Oscar fans, but they’re not always a guarantee of Oscar gold. Last year, for example, Julie Christie won the SAG’s outstanding lead actress for her work in “Away From Her.” At the Academy Awards, she was beaten by Marion Cotillard, who played French singer Edith Piaf in “La Vie en Rose.” Most of the SAG trophies handed out during the first half of Sunday night’s show were for TV categories. Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney won for their roles in HBO’s “John Adams.” Giamatti got the trophy for best male actor in a TV movie or miniseries for his role as President John Adams, while Linney won the female actor award for her portrayal of first lady Abigail Adams. Veteran actress Sally Field won her first SAG Actor trophy after seven nomination over the past 14 years. Field won outstanding performance by a female actor in a drama series for her work on “Brothers & Sisters.” Hugh Laurie won best male actor in a TV drama series for a second time for his work in “House.” He won the same trophy two years ago. “I actually had $100 on James Spader,” Laurie said. “This is just not my night.” Spader was also up for the best actor award. The TV drama ensemble award was given to the cast of AMC’s “Mad Men.” The evening began with NBC’s “30 Rock” sweeping best actor and ensemble trophies. Tina Fey won the outstanding performance by a female actor in a comedy series category, while Alec Baldwin won the male honor for his “30 Rock” role. The 10 actors in the “30 Rock” cast also captured the trophy for outstanding performance by an ensemble in a comedy series. The 16 SAG categories include honors for both television and film actors. James Earl Jones was given SAG’s 45th Life Achievement Award. “Whatever medium he tackles, he consistently delivers,” actor Forest Whitaker said. Jones’ trademark deep voice has been heard in movies as “the most evil voice in the entire universe… and the voice of God,” Whitaker said.

Woot! I am THRILLED that Meryl finally won an award for her work in Doubt. My fave part of the ENTIRE awards show was when she was announced as the winner and then ran with her arms in the air in shocked excitement all the way to the stage to collect her trophy:

She gave my fave female performance this year and I sincerely hope that she wins the Oscar next month. Things don’t look so good for Benjamin Button. Another awards show, another shutout. I’m still pretty sure that it will win something next month (Best Makeup?) but I am not really counting on the film winning any of the big categories. Up against Sean Penn and Mickey Rourke, Brad Pitt ain’t got chance. The same goes for poor Angelina Jolie … no chance, no way. I love that Slumdog Millionaire won another of the big prizes … could it win the Oscar for Best Picture? I sincerely hope so … but I have to be honest and say that I REALLY HOPE that the insufferable Anil Kapoor is not allowed anywhere near the microphone if the film wins. I get that he’s excited to be in a film that is winning all these major awards (a feat that he will most likely never achieve again) but I find his manner so irritating. How ’bout letting Dev Patel give thanks instead? I was very pleased that Freida Pinto gave shoutouts to the young actors who are featured in Slumdog (Ayush Mahesh Khedekar, Rubiana Ali and Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail) … they really made the film for me, they deserve the accolades as much as the adult actors do. In any event, I’m still pulling for Slumdog to win the big enchilada next month. After the jump, check out a few photos that were snapped of the celebs in the audience — mingling, gossiping, canoodling — the pics are not to be missed …