The Oscars are here!

That's right Rogues, Oscar fever just got terminal.  The 85th Annual Academy Awards ceremony was held tonight at the Dolby Theatre in the Hollywood & Highland Center in Los Angeles, California, with Seth MacFarlane bringing a self-referential sensibility to the hosting duties.

On a night of televised pomp and circumstance, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences – a 5,765 member-strong organization that is 94% white, 77% male, and 54% over 60 years-old – anointed the winners of the 2013 Academy Awards.

With Oscar ballots due Tuesday, and less than a week to go until the awards are handed out on Sunday, February 24th, let's take a look at how things stand in the race for the gold. This is undoubtedly the most unpredictable Oscar race in years, and there has not been this much uncertainty since Crash faced off against Brokeback Mountain back in 2006.

Ladies and gentlemen, girls and boys, Rogues of all stripes, the time is finally here. 

The Oscars have arrived.

Actually, not quite.  But the 85th Annual Academy Awards are this Sunday, February 24th.  The ceremony, held at the Dolby Theatre in the Hollywood & Highland Center in Los Angeles, California, is hosted this year by Seth MacFarlane, who also scored his first nomination on account of the song "Everybody Needs a Buddy" from Ted.  The stars are set to turn out for the most ostentatious night in Hollywood, from the "Who are you wearing?" hysteria of the red carpet to the ecstatic acceptance speeches to the inevitable after-parties.

Like you, we here at iamROGUE have Oscar fever, and we're hemorrhaging some of the finest awards season coverage anywhere online.

As we continue to trudge through the sparkly, ostentatious muck and mire of awards season, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is once again reminding us that the longest season is almost over.  This the Academy has done by releasing it weekly Oscar promo inserting this year's host, Seth MacFarlane, into a recognizable film scene. 

It's The Matrix this time, and don't worry, there's a boner joke.

Did you know that in just twenty-four short days, the Academy Awards will shower pomp and circumstance on fabulously attired movie stars and bigshots?  Of course you knew that.  Nonetheless, ABC has dropped another quick promotional spot for the 85th Annual Oscars.

Because folks just aren't cognizant enough of movie awards this time of year, ABC and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences have unveiled a new TV spot promoting the 85th Annual Academy Awards.

Available on Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital Download beginning December 11th is Ted, which marks Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane’s directorial debut. Not only was the film hailed by critics and audiences alike as one of the funniest films of the year, it is also one of the highest-grossing and in fact, is the highest grossing R-rated film of the year, and the highest-grossing original R-rated comedy of all time.

Ted stars Academy Award nominee Mark Wahlberg as John Bennett, a Boston resident who as a child made a special wish for his teddy bear, Ted (voiced by MacFarlane), to come to life. The wish came true and Ted has been by John’s side as his best friend ever since. Ted, who became a national celebrity in the ‘80s, spends his days smoking pot, watching the Red Sox, and having sex with as many women as possible. However, John and Ted’s friendship is tested when John’s girlfriend of four years, Lori (Academy Award nominee Mila Kunis), wants their relationship to go to the next level. Actress Jessica Barth, best known for voicing Sookie Stackhouse on Family Guy, plays Ted’s trashy Boston girlfriend Tami-Lynn.

I recently had a chance to speak with Jessica Barth about her work on Ted. The talented actress discussed the new movie, first reading the script, what didn’t make it to the screen, making out with Ted, working with Seth MacFarlane, creating her character, shooting on location in Boston, and how the local community reacted to the return of their prodigal son, Mark Wahlberg. 

Win: Win Seth MacFarlane's TED Prize Pack Sweepstakes

From: RogueLife LLC

Enter by: November 20, 2012

After three consecutive awards ceremonies hosted by the deliberately incendiary Ricky Gervais, the 70th Annual Golden Globes will be hosted by an unstoppable comedic duo.  They would be Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, the stars and major creative forces on NBC series 30 Rock and Parks and Recreation, respectively.

It sounds more like Mad Libs than awards season news, but it's true: Seth MacFarlane is hosting the 85th Annual Academy Awards.