Last night's 82nd Annual Academy Awards ceremony may have been the year's biggest night for the film industry, but we couldn't help noticing how many of our favorite TV stars kept popping up during the broadcast. And by "popping up" we mean "making the ceremony worth watching." Here are our favorites.
1. 30 Rock's Alec Baldwin co-hosting with Steve Martin
These two gents should co-host their own variety show, don't you think? Their banter was witty, their chemistry was undeniable, and their skits were hilarious—particularly their Paranormal Activity parody and their Snuggie commercial. And, unlike 2009's Hugh Jackman Fest, we didn't get sick of them by the end of the program. In fact, they left us wanting more! Whaddaya say, fellas? Same time next year?
2. How I Met Your Mother's Neil Patrick Harris opening the show with a musical number
Who cares if this was his fourth awards-ceremony appearance in a year? The man can rock a cleverly-worded musical number—and a black sequined suit—better than anyone in the audience.
3. 30 Rock's Tina Fey presenting "Best Original Screenplay" with Robert Downey, Jr.
Tina is dry, RDJ is drier, and when you combine the two, you get tears of laughter. The straight-faced pair played up the "writer vs. actor" rivalry as they introduced this category—and made it abundantly clear that they need to do a movie together, now. Man, I love it when random celebrity pairings at awards shows work out.
4. The Office's Steve Carell presenting "Best Animated Picture" with Cameron Diaz
Thank goodness Steve Carell was there to fill in for Jude Law, who was "supposed" to present with Diaz. While it would have been cute to see the former Holiday co-stars reunite, it was even cuter to see Carell wax poetic about his own attractiveness next to a bedazzled blonde bombshell.
5. The Mo'nique Show's Mo'nique winning "Best Supporting Actress"
Oh, yeah, so she won! And her acceptance speech totally stuck it to The Man, er, The Academy, whom she thanked for finally ignoring Hollywood politics when they chose her to win.
6. Hannah Montana's Miley Cyrus and Big Love's Amanda Seyfried presenting "Best Song"
Sure, they were a little under-qualified to be on the ol' Oscars stage, but at least they both looked gorgeous! And props to Miley for outright admitting how nervous she was.
7. Arrested Development's Jason Bateman introducing "Up in the Air"
Bateman may have moved over to the dark side films, but he'll always be Michael Bluth to us. We especially loved his comment about being George Clooney's boss—even if it was just a movie role.
8. Sex and the City's Sarah Jessica Parker presenting "Best Costume Design" with Tom Ford
Of course Carrie Bradshaw would be presenting this category—she's probably been waiting her whole life to do it. But with the delicious Tom Ford? Now there's a dream come true.
Which other TV stars did you enjoy seeing at the Oscars?
Follow TV.com writer Stefanie Lee on Twitter: @StefAtTVDotCom
Neil!
Loved Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin. They were hilarious. I hope they do this again. Ben Stiller was also sooooo funny. I was so happy for Monique. So glad that she won. I think the whole show was great and I was not bored at all. Hated Sarah Jessica Parker's dress. Loved Cameron Diaz's, Zoe Saldana's and Sandra Bullock's. I wish Miley would stop trying to look older than she is. She is succeeding, but it's not a good look for her. Oh, Amanda Seyfried's dress was lovely too. Robert Downey is The Man! Love, love him.
Loved Downey. The deadpan was hilarious. I, too, think Harris would make a great host next year. I just love this guy. Baldwin is a bloated, self-important nothing. So many of the speeches and presentations were utterly forgettable and, if clothes are integral to the overall assessment of the show, while there were some beautiful dresses, Parker's wasn't one of them. She looked like she was wearing a hideous sack with those cheap, oversized jewels people used to sew on ugly 80s sweaters. I have seen things like this as faux-Egyptian garb in so-called historical-fiction, but this atrocity just looked like someone said, "Let's pull a sheet over the front of this so no one will know there's a shape underneath. Ugh. That and Tina Fey's thing and whoever that was with the cream-colored dress ringed by black snaky-looking stuff should definitely a) sue their couturier; b) read up on tasteful dressing before the next awards show.moreless
I adored seeing NPH and would watch him year after year.
Agree with Margot007...Keanu Reeves was a pleasant surprise! Alec Baldwin did nothing for me... Glad that Sandra Bullock and Kathryn Bigelow won... what bad fashion thoughts were Diane Kruger and Charlize Theron thinking? My vote for worst for worst dressed goes to Sara Jessica Parker...yuck! Best dressed: Anna Kendrick.
I liked Keanu Reeves. He was looking great and being profesional. Simply enjoyed watching him.
Hugh Jackman did a great job at the Tony's, which is why they picked him for the Oscars. But the format is just too different. Jackman is a great song and dance man but the Oscars need standup comics.I have a feeling that Steve Martin wrote all the lines for Alec Baldwin and himself, which is why it was so funny.
Good call on Molly's appearance, LouisaV! --stefanie
Men the best of the best was Ben stiller .... hilarioussssssss
Unfortunately it looks like Sandra Bullock botoxed her face recently so she didn't have any mimic when she was on stage, but I'm glad she won the oscar ;)Because of the time difference I only saw the recap of the ceremony in the news >.
Neil Patrick Harris should host next year.
I quite enjoyed seeing Molly Ringwald from The Secret Life of the American Teenager talking about John Hughes. Not only did she look gorgeous but she really was a big favourite of his and it fit. Also gosh that woman has been working out. Good for her. She looked wonderful.
Robert Downey Jr is absolutely brilliant, could never get tired of the man.
Liked Jason Bateman and Neil Patrick Harris