by Matt Smith

Every now and then there will come along a show or a piece on television that is all powerful. Case in point, last night ABC News aired the documentary "To Iraq and Back". It was a hard hitting report that detailed the human cost of war. You see, on January 29, 2006, journalist Bob Woodruff's life was forever changed when he became the victim of a roadside I.E.D. attack while covering the war in Iraq.

It was during that split second that he suffered traumatic brain injury. His story is heartbreakingly tender, and it wasn't just his story either, but the many countless soldiers who have suffered traumatic brain injury as well. It is a journey that I cannot possibly imagine. And for an hour last night, the world was a better place. No Anna Nicole, no Britney Spears, no Bobby Brown in jail because he can't pay child support payments on time. Yes, a story was honestly told that perhaps, maybe, just maybe, will affect some people for the better.

I spent last night on the red carpet at the Playboy Mansion for the party celebrating the season three premiere of the E! channel's, THE GIRLS NEXT DOOR and the series premiere of PARADISE CITY, executive produced by Ryan Seacrest. Arriving late, after coming from taping AMERICAN IDOL (and I'm guessing a quick dinner) Ryan brought along Randy Jackson and Simon Cowell and I asked them whether or not they had seen the photos of Antonella that had been leaked on the internet. At first Randy joked, " Who's Antonella?" but then Simon got very serious when I showed him several of the photos in question, "You know what, whoever sold those is despicable. I really mean that. It's despicable. That is private property. Out of order. Honestly. It's repulsive."

by Tim Kelly, father

Now I have some idea of what Dorothy must have experienced in “The Wizard of Oz” when she woke up.

Dorothy thought it a dream of some sort, yet at the same time real. She had experienced something very special, very good, fun filled and exciting. The experience left Dorothy with a much greater appreciation for her loved ones and for life itself. Can a dream really make this type of impact? ABSOLUTELY! As Dorothy said to her uncles, "You were in the dream and so were you. Oh it all seemed so real". That is sort of how I feel today almost two weeks after visiting the Grammy Rehearsals, courtesy of Access Hollywood's "Access to a Dream".

The funny thing is, the “Access to a Dream” was for my son Timmy Kelly. In my "dream", my 13-year-old son Timmy got to meet and hang out with some very cool stars. I can remember it vividly. We arrived at LAX and were immediately escorted by limo to the Staples Center. Just as we sat down I heard a man begin to sing a song that was familiar. Timmy said "oh yeah" recognizing it was Gnarls Barkley rehearsing "Crazy". There was Cee-Lo standing at the microphone booming out "Crazy" in this beautiful arena, causing my son to nearly jump out of his skin and his seat.

It was a "dream" but one that we were able to enjoy and experience fully. Timmy was fortunate enough to meet a number of the stars such as James Blunt, Rascal Flatts, Dixie Chicks, Reba McEntire, and Carrie Underwood.

There were many, many wonderful experiences in this "dream" but I would like to share three very special moments.

Since I am the host of Grease on NBC, I had to pull major double duty yesterday as I did the interviews at the Governors' Ball for Access. With a little time to kill, I went to my favorite Sunday night haunt, Madeo, for dinner....

Five minutes after bidding farewell to my wife and eldest daughter in order to get to the Kodak theatre in time, George Clooney walked in. Yes, after presenting the Oscar to Jennifer Hudson, George ducked out a side door and went to get the night rolling.

My wife, goddaughter, and daughter Josie were still there and took a photo with him. My wife explained to George that she was married to me and DESPITE that, he graciously chatted with the girls and took pics.

I am not a fashion guy, but I can say with total assuredness that Reese Witherspoon is the most classic, natural beauty I remember ever seeing at the Oscars. Her straightened hair with the bangs was simple and pretty....no jewels needed when you're that soft and gorgeous.

It's been a busy few days for me on the Idol front. So, let's get right to it. Last night I spoke to Jon Bon Jovi at the Vanity Fair Post Oscar party. On Thursday night's Idol it was announced that he would be coming on as a guest mentor this season. Well, as it turns out it's not just Jon who is coming. It's Bon Jovi the group that will be on the show. Jon seemed a bit annoyed that Idol failed to mention this fact. You'll recall that Seacrest just read Jon's name with a photo of just him, " I know, I know, I know but it is the band. The first night they will play our songs and the second night we will come on and sing our new single."

Here's the clincher though, Jon has NEVER even watched AMERICAN IDOL, "I'm aware of it obviously and a lot of the guys have played our songs over the show over the years and they said you really got to do this show and I said ok. So we are going to do Idol." He did laugh when I jokingly started describing the show and who Simon Cowell was, "I just don't want them to talk bad about my singing abilities!"

By Laura Saltman

12:58 A long day finally comes to an end and I head back to the office to put this tantalizing info out there on the web for you. I'll finally get home tonite around 2:30am.. 12 hours after I hit the Oscar red carpet.

12:45 Jennifer Hudson is the last to arrive and disappoints me yet again by acting too good for the press. Even Al Roker can't get her to stop. She says one line about not being able to believe she came from American Idol to this and then blows by the press but spent five minutes posing for photographers. Al and I decide she needs a slice of humble pie.

12:30 Forest Whitaker arrives and spends ten minutes signing autographs for fans across the street. His publicist tells us he is finished with interviews but Al, Kevin and I gang up and grab him. He tells me he will be putting the Oscar on a shelf near his staircase where everyone can see it. He has been partying it up with Travolta all night. They have been friends for years.

12:25 I'm feeling exhausted and ready to get the heck out of here until Al Roker tells me he will not be going home to sleep tonight. Just a quick shower and a change and then he is live from 4am till 7am! I'm impressed he is still standing out here with the masses as many of the reporters left long ago and stars are beginning to leave the party.

12:20 Cameron Diaz arrives wearing a short black trench coat. I ask her why she ditched the white dress and she tells me she couldn't take the "sausage-ing" effect of her tight dress.

By Michael Lewittes

7:33 - Peter O'Toole is by the bar, but not drinking. I asked him about the pillows he stole under his sweater from the Vanity Fair party on Thursday. He said, "I didn't think anyone noticed."

Sacha Baron Cohen, Isla Fisher and Cohen's parents clicked glasses at the bar and the family said, "L'Chayim" (to a happy and healthy life). Cohen's father said it was a weird category for him to be nominated in.

6:45 - He smiled and laughed. Eddie and Tracey are holding hands.

6:44 - Eddie's on his cell by the bar with Tracey Edmonds and Harvey Weinstein.

5:51 - And the Oscars goes to? Wasn't Nicole supposed to say, "And the winner is..."

5:26 - The nominees -- 177 of them -- just practiced standing up. It's going to be part of the opening. They're all going to be asked to stand.

5:11 - Steven Spielberg is in a deep conversation with Djimon Honsou as the director's wife Kate Capshaw, is in the ladies room.

Meanwhile, Sacha Baron Cohen has parked himself with his fiancee at the end of the second floor by the bar. They've been surrounded by people, including Kirsten Dunst for the past 20 minutes. Now, with drink in hand, he rushed down the stairs to take his seat, which is precisely what I need to do.

4:46 - She was just convinced by an escort her to take her seat. She's visibly nervous, practically having a hard time breathing.

At the closed bar, Jennifer Lopez was just handed a glass of champagne.

By Laura Saltman, AccessHollywood.com red carpet correspondent

(Pictured Left: Access Hollywood's Nancy O'Dell arrives at the Academy Awards)

5:45 - I'm freezing and while I would have loved to snap some photos on the red carpet. I'm too cold to take off my wrap. So I head back to the Hollywood Roosevelt hotel to change, not before snapping a photo by the pool, then it's time to head for the Vanity Fair party.

5:30 - I thank Beyonce for being so gracious to stop and talk to everyone unlike the others who think they are too big to have to talk to everyone. Are you listening Jennifer Hudson? In fact, even Anika Noni Rose's publicist blew us off. These girls should take a lesson from Beyonce. Big props to Will Smith and Jennifer Lopez on this as well. They talked to everyone tonight.

5:20 - More blowoffs including Eddie Murphy, Nicole Kidman, Queen Latifah, Martin Scorcese, Forest Whitaker and a few others.

5:15 - Helen Mirren tells me she will be careful not to fall ass over t@!#* again like she did at another awards show.

5:00 - Jada Pinkett Smith looks great in a mustard colored dress. She has worn this color before and tells me it’s because with her skin tone she loves warm colors. Her son Jayden is completely bored playing with a Rubik’s Cube. He tells me he thinks his mom looks like a gold statue. Jada tells me Jayden has a date with Sarah Michelle Gellar at the Vanity Fair party. Later Will Smith tells me all about Jayden’s crush on Buffy.

4:50 - So while I'm grateful to have a spot here on the carpet it’s completely frustrating. So far the folks on my side of the carpet have been blown off by Penelope Cruz, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Winslet, Celine Dion, Jodie Foster, Naomi Watts, Jennifer Hudson and lots more.

Here's how it goes. The publicists pull their clients away from the press by bringing them to the middle of the carpet. I feel for the folks who are not on the national entertainment shows who have to deal with being blown off every single red carpet. I'd go insane. Thank goodness for Access Hollywood!

Oh, and also let me mention that while the publicists blow off the media they always make sure to bring their clients past the still photographers. Can't miss the chance to show off their free dresses and jewels.

4:44 - Now I've got this Japanese journalist who nearly fell over himself to get to Ken Watanabe sneaking into my spot. Hello!!!

4:05 - Right now I'm fighting with the folks from Telemundo over space. They have three reporters in one space and I'm getting yelled at for taking up too much space. Es muy loco!!

4:00 - Speaking of stepping on trains. Michael Buble steps on Jodie Foster's. She looks pissed. Later Jennifer Lopez tells me the secret to having people not step on you is to remember to keep looking down.

By Scott Mantz, Access Film Producer

10:00 - At the Governor's Ball. Grabbed some food, went to a table where Tobey Maguire was talking with Marvel Entertainment's Avi Arad (producer of the "Spider-Man" movies) while his wife, Jennifer Meyer, showed pictured of their new daughter to friends. She said, "She looks just like Tobey!"

A few minutes later, I went up to Abigail Breslin's mother (who was sitting next to adorable Abigail). I congratulated her for all of the success of "Little Miss Sunshine." We talked about how everyone talks about the movie with a smile, and they will still be doing so 10 years from now. I wished her all the best, and Abigail waved "goodbye." "Little Miss Sunshine" didn't win Best Picture tonight, but it's the real best picture in my book!

8:16 - I did backstage interviews at the Independent Spirit Awards yesterday, and I spoke to all the winners of "Little Miss Sunshine" -- including the writer, Michael Arndt, and the co-directors, Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris. So just now, I'm watching the TV at the bar, and the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay went to Michael Arndt. While I was watching the tube, Valerie Faris was right across from me -- she remembered me from yesterday, and she gave me a high-5 when Michael won! Nice!

7:57 - Nothing like a little family bonding at the bar! Shortly after losing Best Supporting Actress to J-Hud, Cate Blanchett made a beeline to the bar, where she's been chatting up new parents Maggie Gyllenhaal and Peter Sarsgaard for over 15 minutes. At one point, Gyllenhaal whipped out her blackberry and showed it to Blanchett, who had an "aw, ain't that cute" look on her face.

Must've been those baby pictures!

7:07 - Tom Cruise looking VERY MUCH like he did in "A Few Good Men" -- one of his BEST movies!

6:57 - It's been about 10 minutes since Eddie Murphy lost Best Supporting Actor. He's out at the bar, walking and talking with studio head Harvey Weinstein, who pats him on the back and wishes him well. As Murphy walks away, guests yell out "you should have won!" Eddie just looks back, then keeps on walking away.

It's gonna be a long night.

6:41 - Still at the bar, Clint Eastwood walks in (he's shorter than I thought!) -- he's talking to Roger Friedman (from Fox News), and his date (wife? Gf?) excuses herself to get a drink. She walks past me, looks right at me and says excitedly, "Hi, nice to see you again!"

Actually, we never met, but she probably thought I was Steve Carell!

6:33 - After a rather boring start with some art and technical awards (no offense to the winners), the first upset of the night takes place -- Alan Arkin wins Best Supporting Actor over the favored Eddie Murphy! Yowza, that's gonna hurt for a bit. Don't worry Eddie, there's always "Norbit 2"! So that seemed like a good time to hit the bar, where Jennifer Hudson had to get a drink real quick because she's singing next.

Unrelated uplifting photo, as balloons only can be – see end of blog for description

My 5-year old Siamese cat, Sascha, was in the animal hospital for the past few days getting kitty bladder stones removed. I’ve been somewhat preoccupied with the situation this week and haven’t written much as a result. When my husband and I went to visit her the other night, after her initial delight at seeing us, she actually growled when she realized we weren’t taking her home. When we finally took her home two nights ago, with post-op instructions to keep her quiet, she and her protective 12.5 inch collar fled from the cat carrier and bulleted all over the place, so excited was this feral kitty to be home. She’s generally very frisky by nature and the only symptoms of her bladder condition were a certain lethargy that set in, and frequent, overly strained visits to the litter box. She’s recovering nicely now in the comfort of her own surroundings.

It’s harder to know when an animal is in need of help than a human. Cats, for instance, don’t shave their heads bald in front of the world. Nor do they check in and out and in and out and in to rehab once the buzzing is done, or flail a car with an umbrella. They also don’t paint their faces like a clown and behave on camera as if they were on drugs. Generally, they don’t have bottles of methadone in the fridge next to the Slimfast & Trimspa, either.