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First time I've started a YouTube viral tease. But I just confirmed this is genuine behind-the-scenes footage of host Hugh Jackman rehearsing for the Oscars. It was taken in New York and on a temporary stage in Hollywood by an assistant working on a short for Hugh's production partner John Palermo. The Academy is gonna freak (quick, someone revive Sid Ganis)... But I love it.
Comments On Deadline Hollywood are monitored. So don't go off topic, don't impersonate anyone, don't get your facts wrong, and don't bore me.
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Great Letterman dis!
Loved the Oscars with Hugh Jackman hosting. He should have won an Oscar for “Australia”. Wish he would host again. Absolutely love his infectious laugh!!!!!
If I were an executive at Fox, I’d be a little worried that my bad ass Wolverine would be seen singing and dancing around the world.
Well, grandpa’s awards show looks like a hoot.
Keep it in the past, Oscars.
It’s all about his arms, apparently.
Interesting, but a calculated viral tease to build audience. Nothing “raw” or exposed here.
That said, really looking forward to the opening act!
The Oscars®™©®™™ is hardly an issue of national security, but videoing and then uploading a rehearsal is a douche-bag move and an insult to the performers in any situation. Actors shouldn’t have to worry that they’re being filmed without knowing it while they’re getting their crap together.
Unless of course this is all a publicity move, in which case, well played…
But still. Put the camera phone, kids.
Proud Aussie here. Onya, Hugh.
Is that Mr. G from Summer Heights high?????
It’s all about his arms, apparently.
Um, I’m not looking at his arms…
Way too pretty to be an accident. This is a smart step to get people interested. Worked for me….
Just as I feared, and just what the Oscars needed.
More song and dance. Geesh.
He’s narrating backstage footage. I believe this was well timed and well planned. Sleeveless shirt and all.
John Palermo is a great producer.
Hugh…my man…this guy is going to bring back the spirit of the Oscars…why did they ever let John Stewart host is beyond me…heres to a great night and all the best to the great movie makers, actors and support.
it really is all about his arms. I mean, damn
It’s great to see the Oscars finally tapping into the elusive gay audience.
PLEASE GOD NO!!!
A top hat??? Tap dancing on stairs? Who is he, the lost, white Nicholas Brother?
This may be the first year since 1977 that I have not watched the Oscars. I’m Done.
Dude, that wasn’t shot with a camera phone. I agree with jw22, nothing revealed and actually a nice tease for the show.
Now I want to see behind the scenes of Nikki ‘working it’ on a story!
Gayest. Oscars. Ever.
Look, you either like this kind of thing, or you don’t. I personally can’t wait!
Yo, Scoldy. You really think that with the Oscars Nielsen numbers in major decline over the last decade they aren’t going to need a little publicity with the under-25 set? I’m sure Mr. Jackman’s fellow performers knew they were being filmed. Welcome to being in the entertainment industry… if you are uncomfortable, you can let the door hit your precious little tuchus on the way out.
Are you trying to tell me that you’ve never experienced any undue pressure at your job before? This is the Hollywood version. Please.
And that was definitely not a camera phone. Maybe a handheld camcorder, but camera phone? Seriously? Have you ever tried to get any resolution off one of those things? You might as well have a freaking Malibu Barbie web cam shooting the sequel to Team America: World Police.
(I am with you on the over-use of immediate technology in our society, but this is not the case here. This was *planned*, recorded, edited, and presented into our universe so that people can look at Mr. Jackman’s arms. You no like, you no watch.)
And Ms. Finke, you called Palermo Hugh’s “producer”. Technically, production partner on Seed Productions, along with Deborra-Lee Furness, Hugh’s wife. Just to clarify.
At last, a genuine performer hosting the Oscars. Hugh is freakin’ talented. I saw him on Broadway and was blown away, and I’ve seen a LOT of stars on Broadway before. The guy is amazing. I’ve never seen straight men so gaga over another guy in my life (not to mention the women and gays, of course!)
Yep – it’s the arms -agreed!
Some of these people have got to be kidding me with your knee-jerk criticisms. For years, you’ve sat through the cheesiest dance numbers in television, the most inane musical guests performances and suddenly this is some great descent into entertainment hell? Please.
It’s a f—ing awards show. The Oscars have been teeth-gnashingly unbearable since their inception.
Godspeed Hugh. You will do just fine.
That is professionally produced expressly for the purpose it is being used for here.
Between Slumdog and Hugh, this is the only Oscars in my memory that I am anxiously awaiting.
Hugh is one of the handful of people in existence that we can honestly say is a TALENTED triple-threat.
Lovely. Political speech for Hugh. “Change has finally come.” Gag. Enough already. I’m an Independent voter and I’m passing.
The Academy will freak if the views don’t start piling up. 7000 views in 5 hours? Some random music video called “It was you” has 50,000 is 8 hours. That’s not a good sign for the Oscars.
The Academy should have started a viral video campaign, focusing on some of the big stars as well as the small awards. Could be a good way to get people interested in the “minor” awards and have people get to know the makers of short films (or maybe host all of the nominated shorts on their website).
Technology is killing the Oscar (why watch for four hours when I can see the highlights online) and the Academy’s almost complete lack of an online presence isn’t making things any better.
I was on the fence about Hugh Jackman until I remembered his absolutely hilarious hosting of SNL a few years ago. I had no clue who he was back then, but actually remembered his name because he was so funny.
I still won’t watch the bloody thing, but once the best bits of the show hit youtube, I’m so there.
Yikes…
No thanks
I agree with Peggy– I’m done with this too…. I mean really “Puttin’ On My Top Hat”– are you Kidding ? This kind of entertainment appeals to the over 80 crowd. And ewwwwwww those arms gross me out. Why does Hollywood keep trying to ram Hugh Jackass down our throats ? First People Magazine’s “Sexiest Man Alive”, the Oscar Host, and soon- Wolverine…..EWWWWWW ! Yuck.
I loved him as host of the Tonys and I’m gonna love this! The guy is a real talent. LOVE IT!
I won’t have to worry about watching the bore-fest that is the Academy Awards. I’ll be paying attention to Nikki’s live blogging which is always entertaining.
Plus, and like mentioned above, I’m a little uncomfortable watching an X-Man do a song and dance. What’s next – Batman singing “Memory” from “Cats”?
Jeez, guy. Would it kill you to hit a gym every now and again?
JD,
If you’re worried about Batman singing don’t rent Newsies!
Jackman is an old-school entertainer, who by all accounts is one of the nicest guys in Hollywood. I’m rooting for him. And I don’t think having him do this show hurts Wolvering in the least. It will probably make women more likely to see it.
It’ll be a different show than Jon Stewart, for sure. And while Stewart is much more appealing to me (even if they saddled him with Bruce Vilanch), my guess is Jackman’s enthusiasm will make for a fun show. Maybe not the greatest three hours of entertainment ever seen, but it’s an awards show, not a great football game.
I just wish The Wrestler and Dark Knight had been nominated as for me they (along with Milk) were the best of the year. With Slumdog right behind them.
What Writestuffla said. Hugh is terrific, but I am so sick and tired of all this hopey changey BS. Memo to Hollywood: NO ONE CARES ABOUT YOUR POLITICS EXCEPT YOU. Get over yourselves.
What is wrong with you folks-this is fantastic!!The great Hugh Jackman performing–my goodness did not any of you see The Boy From Oz–he is incredible!!
Come on, people, he’s an absolute joy to behold…
Whatever your orientation, Hugh has huge spirit…
And the arms are okay, but Hugh’s chest is big and hairy…
Cruise, Pitt and Clooney can’t touch him…
No, they needed to get this out to drum up business because the “commercial” they aired plainly sucked and drove people away.
Nikki, your site ROCKS my KOSHER Support hose! thankyou for posting Hugh Jackman..you made an old woman moist again.. for that I am grateful.
I’m going to the Oscars tomorrow night and I can’t wait to see Hugh perform. I saw him perform live last year and he was just a joy to watch. I can’t believe these bitter, cynical blowhards who can’t just sit back and enjoy some old fashioned talent. What would they rather have – that wholesome rapper Chris Brown beating the crap out of Rhianna, or some “meaningful” political comedian who spews nothing but elitist BS and makes us all squirm uncomfortably? How about just a litle levity, mindless fun? For goodness sake, it’s an awards show – kick back and celebrate all the people who worked their asses off to provide entertainment to the world.
Wonderful. Jackman is remarkable. People should stop complaining and start celebrating. He has real positive energy and genuine talent. No snarkiness here.
Nikki allow the show to breathe before you go for the jugular. I know your posts will be great. Hollywood needs to support one another. Or we will never survive the economic craziness that is ahead.
I still think Justin Timberlake would have been a great person to host and would have created an entire new demo. As much as I think Hugh is a great actor, this show is going to save me an Ambien.
I like Hugh Jackman but if people think the sight of him singing and dancing is going to attract people, then “Viva Laughlin” wouldn’t have been cancelled after two episodes.
Looks utterly cringe-worthy. A song & dance man is the answer to the stale Oscars of recent years? We’ll see. At least I’m going in expecting to be disappointed. That way any pleasant surprise can be considered a victory.
Met Hugh in alley behind theater in NYC where he was doing “Boy from OZ” and he is truly a genuinely nice down to earth guy.
I solved it you guys: its a promotion for the oscar syndication paid for by PUMA