LOS ANGELES (AP) — It's always fun to hear what Jennifer Lawrence has to say — even if you have to lip read because she's being bleeped.
The bleeping started early for the charmingly blunt Lawrence, a best actress nominee for "Silver Linings Playbook," as ABC silenced her cheeky red carpet response to actress Kristin Chenoweth.
The two were bonding over "Dance Moms," the Lifetime reality series, when Lawrence asked Chenoweth if she liked it too.
Chenoweth: "Is the pope Catholic?"
Lawrence: "... ?" (We can't print her reply here, but the reference was to something a bear does in the woods.)
And the night, as they say, was still very young. Stay tuned!
— Jocelyn Noveck — Twitter http://twitter.com/JocelynNoveckAP
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Joaquin Phoenix didn't waste any time getting into the Dolby Theatre, and the Oscar-nominated actor's dash across the red carpet didn't go unnoticed.
Red carpet host Chris Connelly heckled Phoenix, who has criticized the awards show, as he rushed by, saying he was setting new speed records.
Connelly then added, "You should be at the (NFL) combine," a reference to the athletic tests NFL recruits go through.
— Anthony McCartney — Twitter http://twitter.com/mccartneyAP
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Oscar bleacher fans got a wave from some stars such as Jane Fonda, and a peace sign from others, including Channing Tatum.
Then there were those who pulled out all the stops.
Tim Burton and Helena Bonham Carter paused on the red carpet to pose for pictures for star-struck fans.
Melissa McCarthy stopped to beam and wave at every section of the bleachers, all but ignoring the professional photographers surrounding her.
Jessica Chastain blew the crowd a kiss.
And Joseph Gordon-Levitt topped it all off with an appreciative bow to his audience.
— Anthony McCartney — Twitter http://twitter.com/mccartneyAP
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Even the food gets the red-carpet treatment at the Academy Awards.
Celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck rolled a tray out onto the carpet to show off just a few of the goodies that will be served at the annual Governor's Ball following the show.
Making the scene were baked potatoes with caviar, smoked salmon, chicken pot pie with truffle, Kobe steak, sushi, sashimi and of course Puck's famous gold-dusted chocolate Oscar statuettes.
"It's going to be the greatest party ever," he said.
— Beth Harris Twitter http://twitter.com/bethharrisap
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With more than a half-hour to show time and the red carpet still buzzing outside, some early bird Oscar attendees were already taking their seats inside the Dolby Theatre.
And why not? It's a great place to see and hear ABC's red carpet coverage, featuring Kristin Chenoweth, as it blasted away on giant TV screens hanging above the stage.
— Derrik J. Lang — Twitter http://twitter.com/derrikjlang
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A few months ago, Army Sgt. 1st Class Walter Talens was shooting footage in Afghanistan. On Sunday, he had a prime seat to watch the stars at the Academy Awards.
Talens was one of dozens of service members sprinkled around the fan bleachers, where he hoped to get a glimpse of actress Jennifer Lawrence from his second-row seat.
It was a new vantage point for him after working two Oscar shows filming shout-outs to troops overseas.
His boss, Maj. John Reynolds, relocated from a posting in Fort Leavenworth, Kan., a few months before last year's show and was hoping for a glimpse of Denzel Washington, Ben Affleck and Lawrence.
"I never thought I would be this close to the red carpet," said Reynolds, who had a front row seat where the stars entered the Dolby Theatre.
Talens, who noted the Oscars' longtime support of the troops, said, "I'm very happy the academy supports the military and allows us to see the glitz and glamour."
— Anthony McCartney — Twitter http://twitter.com/mccartneyAP
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Sometimes in Hollywood it takes more than one try to get the perfect shot.
On Sunday afternoon, that was the case for the accountants bringing in the Oscar ballot results.
The men walked calmly down the red carpet clutching briefcases as a film crew recorded their every move. But before they could enter the Dolby Theatre, they had to repeat the last leg of their walk.
This time fans in the bleachers cheered. The cameras rolled and everyone was satisfied.
Cut. The men walked into the theater.
It's Hollywood.
— Anthony McCartney — Twitter http://twitter.com/mccartneyAP
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EDITOR'S NOTE — Show Bits brings you the 85th annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles through the eyes of Associated Press journalists. Follow them on Twitter where available with the handles listed after each item.