Red carpet slight of hand...

Well, ya learn something new each year at the Academy Awards. I was stationed in the red carpet bleacher seats near the entrance to the Kodak Theatre and not only had a birds-eye view of the stars, but also of some of the behind-the-scenes goings-on.

The bleachers where me and dozens of other media folks were assigned had several empty rows near the top. So a few hours before showtime, “bleacher fillers” are brought in to fill in the gaps and to ensure that the stands look nice and full on television.

But here’s my real discovery: red carpet fillers!

I had no idea! I looked over to the entrance near my bleacher spot and there was a long line of women in evening gowns and men in tuxedos. I thought they were waiting to attend the Oscar show but then overheard one of the Academy officials say to them, “Look like you’re having a good time!” as the group began to walk the red carpet counter-clockwise to the stars.

At one point, the bleacher fillers were yelling out to the red carpet fillers who waved and posed for a picture. Then I stated noticing some of them walking by two, three and four times.

Hollywood really is all smoke and mirrors!