Here are some backstage snippets which were compiled by reliable sources privy to the goings on behind the stage during the 81st Academy Awards held last Sunday at Los Angeles.

Kate Winslet finally won an Oscar.  Some British press people were criticizing her for hyper-ventilating and weeping on stage.  Kate says: “I really don’t care.  Quite honestly, it makes me sad the country can’t be happy for success of their own kind”.   Kate was also ecstatic over her Best Actress Trophy, having been nominated and lose 5 times she said : “Winning is really a lot better than losing.  Really a lot better.”

Best Director Winner Danny Boyle for “Slumdog Millionaire” commented that he and the Slum Dog team debated long and hard whether to include the young Indian actors in the film during the awards season.  He said: “We were very concerned about it distorting their lives,  they’re young. They should stay in school…But then somebody said to us, look, they will put it in their own memory bank…and they will find a place for it in their own memory bank, and you should not deny it to them.”  He also goes on that he has no idea where the Slumdog Kids are today.  He was later accosted by a woman identifying herself as a reporter from the review site RottenTomatoes and eagerly greeted her.  Boyle must be a an avid fan of the site.  RottenTomatoes’ review on “Slumdog Millionaire is a 94!

The Ledger Family has nothing but high praises for Heath’s ex-partner Michelle Williams.  They are very close to her and approves of the way she is raising Matilda.  “Michelle keeps Matilda closeted in a nice way,” Kim Ledger says. “I don’t think she’ll know much of the fuss [of tonight's show], which I think is a good thing.  The Oscar Heath Ledger won for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Joker in “Batman” will be put in trust with Williams for Matilda.

A big gasp was heard in the press room as when the TV telecast cut to a reaction shot of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt during Jennifer Aniston’s presenting gig.  Oh well, one of those moments.

Penelope Cruz has fallen under the spell of Woody Allen.  She says of the director: I call Woody sometimes just to say hello, I adore him. I think he’s so funny”.

Sean Penn was still Sean Penn even after snagging a second Oscar for “Milk”.  The actor gave Best Actress Kate Winslet a kiss and a hug and then went back to his normal squinting self.  When asked about his comments during his acceptance speech, he said: “The day is going to come,” Penn says of gay marriage, “and it’s going to come quickly.”

All in all the Oscar Awards was another entertaining show.  Full of glitz, glamour and drama.