And Oscar live-blogging begins in earnest

Host Jon Stewart did much better this time around, keeping it short, sweet and pretty much on-topic for the crowd he’s playing to:

“What an exciting night. These past three and a half months have been very tough … but the fight is over, so tonight, welcome to the make-up sex.”

Noting that Vanity Fair had cancelled its Oscar party “out of respect to the writers:” “You know how they could show respect to the writers? How about inviting them to the Vanity Fair Oscar party?”

Championing “all the Oscar-nominated psychopathic-killer movies – does this town need a hug? “No Country for Old Men,’ ‘There Will Be Blood:’ All I can say is thank god for teen pregnancy.”

On “Away from Her:” “A woman who forgets her own husband. Hillary Clinton called it the feel-good movie of the year.”

“Even ‘Norbit’ got a nomination, which I think is great. Too often the Academy ignores films that aren’t good.”

“Diablo Cody used to be an exotic dancer and now she’s an Oscar-nominated screenwriter. I hope you’re enjoying the pay cut.”

On Barack Obama vs. Hillary Clinton: “Normally when you see a black man or a woman President in a movie, an asteroid is about to hit the Statue of Liberty.”

5:42 p.m. Best Costume Design: “Elizabeth: The Golden Age.” A less-than-rousing way to open the ceremony, handing a trophy to a movie no one saw. Oh, wait: Hardly anyone saw any of the nominees.

5:43 p.m. A stroll down memory lane: Barbra Streisand winning her Oscar. Followed by the first montage of the evening: Another stroll down Oscar’s memory lane. Uh, how about ditching the nostalgia and get to this year’s trophies?