For some reason, this story just makes me happy. Could be because Betty White and Saturday Night Live are both American institutions — I don’t remember a time in my life when there wasn’t an SNL, and of course, Betty’s been a part of hit shows and TV specials for years!

I promised I would keep you updated, so here’s the latest…

Great news for Betty White fans!  Looks like she will, indeed, make an appearance on SNL.  This is according to People magazine, who spoke with her Sunday at Elton John’s annual Oscar party. 

This past year, Betty co-starred in The Proposal with Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds.  She was also honored by the Screen Actors Guild with a lifetime achievement award.  But then came that hilarious commercial Betty did during the Super Bowl.  Ever since then, fans have been lobbying big-time for her to be invited to host SNL.  And remember that Facebook page for the ‘campaign’? Well, it now has almost half a million fans. Yeah, I’m one of ‘em – and proud of it! 

So, back to Elton’s Oscar party… People magazine asked Betty, “Are you doing Saturday Night Live?” And she said, “Yes.”  And it sounds like Betty’s pretty blown away by this whole thing:  ”I don’t know why or how… but it’s been wonderful.”

No info yet on when Betty will be on, or in what exact capacity.  I mentioned a while back that, according to Entertainment Weekly, Betty might be part of a ”Women of Comedy” episode with former SNL funny ladies like Molly Shannon, Amy Poehler and Tina Fey.  But now People reports that executive producer Lorne Michaels has denied that.

I guess we’ll see!

The Academy Awards were a lot of FUN to watch! I loved Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin as this year’s hosts — I almost think we didn’t get to see enough of them. Check this list to see if your favorites won!

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****2010*OSCAR*WINNERS****

Best Picture = The Hurt Locker
Kathryn Bigelow, Mark Boal, Nicolas Chartier and Greg Shapiro

Directing = Kathryn Bigelow
The Hurt Locker

Actor in a Leading Role = Jeff Bridges
Crazy Heart

Actress in a Leading Role = Sandra Bullock
The Blind Side

Actor in a Supporting Role = Christoph Waltz
Inglourious Basterds

Actress in a Supporting Role = Mo’Nique
Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire

Animated Feature Film = Up
Pete Docter

Art Direction = Avatar
Rick Carter and Robert Stromberg (Art Direction); Kim Sinclair (Set Decoration)

Cinematography = Avatar
Mauro Fiore

Costume Design = The Young Victoria
Sandy Powell

Documentary Feature = The Cove
Louie Psihoyos and Fisher Stevens

Documentary Short = Music by Prudence
Roger Ross Williams and Elinor Burkett

Film Editing = The Hurt Locker
Bob Murawski and Chris Innis

Foreign Language Film = The Secret in Their Eyes (El Secreto de Sus Ojos)
Argentina
Directed by Juan José Campanella

Makeup = Star Trek
Barney Burman, Mindy Hall and Joel Harlow

Music (Original Score) = Up
Michael Giacchino

Music (Original Song) = Crazy Heart
“The Weary Kind (Theme from Crazy Heart)”
Music and Lyrics by Ryan Bingham and T Bone Burnett

Short Film (Animated) = Logorama
Nicolas Schmerkin

Short Film (Live Action) = The New Tenants
Joachim Back and Tivi Magnusson

Sound Editing = The Hurt Locker
Paul N.J. Ottosson

Sound Mixing = The Hurt Locker
Paul N.J. Ottosson and Ray Beckett

Visual Effects = Avatar
Joe Letteri, Stephen Rosenbaum, Richard Baneham and Andrew R. Jones

Writing (Adapted Screenplay) = Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire
Screenplay by Geoffrey Fletcher

Writing (Original Screenplay) = The Hurt Locker
Written by Mark Boal

So MANY of use grew up watching those Smokey and the Bandit movies!

Entertainment Tonight reports that ‘Bandit’ himself, 74-year-old BURT REYNOLDS, underwent quintuple bypass surgery last week. According to ET, Burt’s already out of the hospital and recovering at home.

I wish him the best and hope we’ll be able to “watch ol’ Bandit run” real soon!

Nominations were announced today for the Academy of Country Music Awards. I don’t know about you, but I’m all about watching awards shows and rooting for my favorites! To me, it’s just as fun as sports!

The ACM Awards will air live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 18, at 8 PM, ET, on CBS. Reba McEntire will be the host!

It’s quite a list, but here ya go!

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ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Kenny Chesney
Toby Keith
Brad Paisley
GeorgeStrait
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
Keith Urban
Zac Brown Band
*
*
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TOP MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
Darius Rucker
GeorgeStrait
Keith Urban
*
*
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TOP FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Miranda Lambert
Reba McEntire
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
Lee Ann Womack
*
*
*
TOP VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
Randy Rogers Band
Rascal Flatts
Zac Brown Band
*
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TOP VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR
Brooks & Dunn
Joey + Rory
Montgomery Gentry
Steel Magnolia
Sugarland
*
*
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TOP NEW SOLO VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Luke Bryan
Jamey Johnson
Chris Young
*
*
*
TOP NEW DUO OF THE YEAR
Bomshel
Joey + Rory
Steel Magnolia
*
*
*
TOP NEW VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Eli Young Band
Gloriana
The Lost Trailers
*
*
*
ALBUM OF THE YEAR [Award to Artist(s) / Producer(s) / Record Company(s)]
American Saturday Night – Brad Paisley (Arista Nashville)
Produced by: Chris DuBois, Frank Rogers

Lady Antebellum – Lady Antebellum (Capitol Records Nashville)
Produced by: Victoria Shaw, Paul Worley

Play On – Carrie Underwood (19/Arista Nashville)
Produced by: Mark Bright
“Quitter” Produced by Max Martin & Shellback for Maratone Productions and Mark Bright

Revolution – Miranda Lambert (ColumbiaNashville)
Produced by Frank Liddell, Mike Wrucke

The Foundation – Zac Brown Band (Southern Ground / Bigger Picture / Atlantic)
Produced by Keith Stegall, Zac Brown
*
*
*
SINGLE RECORD OF THE YEAR [Award to Artist(s) / Producer(s) / Record Company(s)]
“Need You Now” – Lady Antebellum (Capitol Records Nashville)
Produced by Lady Antebellum, Paul Worley

“People Are Crazy” – Billy Currington (Mercury)
Produced by Carson Chamberlain, Billy Currington

“Red Light” – David Nail (MCA Nashville)
Produced by Frank Liddell, Mike Wrucke

“Toes” – Zac Brown Band (Southern Ground / Bigger Picture / Atlantic)
Produced by Keith Stegall, Zac Brown

“White Liar” – Miranda Lambert (ColumbiaNashville)
Produced by Frank Liddell, Mike Wrucke
*
*
*
SONG OF THE YEAR [Award to Composer(s) / Publisher(s) / Artist(s)]
“Cowboy Casanova” – Carrie Underwood
Composers: Mike Elizondo, Brett James, Carrie Underwood
Publishers: Brett James Cornelius Music (ASCAP), Carrie Okie Music (BMI), Rincon Ave Music
(ASCAP), Stage Three Songs (ASCAP)

“Need You Now” – Lady Antebellum
Composers: Dave Haywood, Josh Kear, Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott
Publishers: EMI Foray Music (BMI), Darth Buddha (ASCAP), Dwhaywood Music (BMI), Hillary Dawn Publishing (SESAC), Radiobullets Publishing (BMI), Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (BMI), Year Of The Dog Music (ASCAP)

“People Are Crazy” – Billy Currington
Composers: Bobby Braddock, Troy Jones
Publishers: Crozier Music Enterprises LLC (BMI), Mighty Nice Music (BMI), Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (BMI), Tiltawhirl Music (BMI)

“White Liar” – Miranda Lambert
Composers: Natalie Hemby, Miranda Lambert
Publishers: Pink Dog Publishing (BMI), Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (BMI), Tiltawhirl Music (BMI)

“You Belong With Me” – Taylor Swift
Composers: Liz Rose, Taylor Swift
Publishers: Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (BMI), Taylor Swift Music (BMI)
*
*
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VIDEO OF THE YEAR [Award to Producer(s) / Director(s) / Artist(s)]
“Boots On” – Randy Houser
Producer: Eric Welch
Director: Eric Welch (Drake footage: Vickie Vaughn)

“Need You Now” – Lady Antebellum
Producer: Clarke Gallivan
Director: David McClister

“Welcome To The Future” – Brad Paisley
Producers: Mark Kalbfeld, Jim Shea, Peter Tilden
Director: Jim Shea

“White Liar” – Miranda Lambert
Producer: Tameron Hedge
Director: Chris Hicky

“You Belong With Me” – Taylor Swift
Producer: Randy Brewer
Director: Roman White
*
*
*
VOCAL EVENT OF THE YEAR [Award to Artist(s) / Producer(s) / Record Company(s)]
“Hillbilly Bone” – Blake Shelton featuring Trace Adkins (Reprise Records / Warner Music Nashville)
Producer: Scott Hendricks

“Honky Tonk Stomp” – Brooks & Dunn featuring Billy Gibbons (Arista Nashville)
Producer: Ronnie Dunn, Terry McBride

“I Told You So” – Carrie Underwood featuring Randy Travis (19/Artista Nashville)
Producer: Mark Bright

“I’m Alive” – Kenny Chesney with Dave Matthews (Blue Chair / BNA)
Produced by: Buddy Cannon, Kenny Chesney

“Seeing Stars” – Jack Ingram featuring Patty Griffin (Big Machine Records)
Produced by Jack Ingram, Jeremy Stover

Looks like March is coming in like a ‘lamb,’ since it’s not snowing or storming! Until later this week, it’ll still be somewhat chilly, but still not really ‘lion’-caliber, so…

Heck, let’s just say March is coming in like a WOLF! Because with all the changes this month — Daylight Savings Time, the start of spring (can’t wait) — the one thing that stays the same is that we’re hanging out together every day on the Wolf. Sounds corny, I know, but it’s just another excuse for me to say, “THANKS!”

Happy March! I’m looking forward to seeing you at Wolf events!

“Laurie’s Weekly Dish” — it’s new AND good for you! In just a few quick minutes, you’ll be updated on highlights that’ll help you look like a pop culture know-it-all!
 http://www.1065thewolf.com/pages/5104296…

I believe there are some great places to live throughout our metro area! But, statistically, which local neighborhood/town is the safest?

This is from NBC Action News…

“…every urban area, even the cities with the highest crime rates have relatively safe neighborhoods. One website, neighborhoodscout.com, has collected data from the FBI and 17,000 local police agencies and found very safe areas in every major American city. Recently, a list of the safest neighborhoods in the fifty biggest cities in the U.S. was released. The safest place to live in the Kansas City area is Parkville, Mo.” The NBC Action News website mentions low crime and good schools, among other factors.

Congrats to Parkville, and wherever you live, THANK YOU for sharing your time with the Wolf. Be safe and happy!

NBC has confirmed the first set of guests for Jay Leno’s return to The Tonight Show. I don’t know about you, but I’ll be watching, especially because…

Check this out: Jay’s March 1st premiere will feature Jamie Foxx, Olympic gold medal skier Lindsay Vonn and musical guest… drumroll, please… BRAD PAISLEY!

Among the other guests in the first couple weeks of Jay’s return: gold medal snowboarder Shaun White. The Jersey Shore cast (who will be part of Leno’s “Jay-Walk All-Stars” segment — that should be interesting!), Chelsea Handler , speed skater extraordinaire Apolo Ohno, Matthew McConaughey , Morgan Freeman , Simon Cowell , and Kristen Stewart.

WOW! The people have spoken, and it looks like that Facebook campaign to get Betty White a gig hosting Saturday Night Live MAY have worked!

As of this writing, the “Betty White to Host SNL (please?)!” fanpage/ campaign had 426,589 fans. I’m not gonna lie — I’m one of ‘em! Here’s the latest…

Entertainment Weekly reports that the Golden Girls star is VERY close to signing on for the show, although she wouldn’t be hosting alone. According to the magazine’s website, SNL is trying to put together a “Women of Comedy” episode which would also include funny gals like Molly Shannon, and possibly Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. Sounds like FUN!

Awards season for me is just as fun as watching sports — it’s exciting to predict the winners and root for your favorites! Here’s something Academy Award (a.k.a. Oscar) producers are not rooting for, however: boring celebrity acceptance speeches!

Oscar producers have often tried to come up with a solution to those long and boring speeches, and now they think they have one. At the Academy Awards luncheon on Monday, producer Adam Shankman asked nominees to have two speeches ready, in case they win. That’s right: TWO.

For the first speech, Shankman told the nominees, “Share [with the audience] your passion on what the Oscar means to you.” And he wants them to save their lists of “thank you’s” for the second speech, which they’ll be able to give backstage on a “Thank You Cam” — that video will be posted online.

By the way, in other Oscar news, they’ve decided that Best Song nominees will not be performed during the broadcast this year.

It’ll be interesting to see how this all works out! Get your popcorn and predictions ready — the Oscars will be held March 7th.