Anna Kendrick arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. AP
LOS ANGELES, United States — Show Bits brings you the 87th 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.
___
FAST LANE TO OSCARS
Just like the freeway that carried some of them to the show, there’s even a fast lane for those who walk the red carpet at the Oscars.
It turns out the famous fabric is divided into three lanes.
The one you want to be in, if you’re really famous, is the Diamond Lane.
On the other side of the carpet is the one for people herded away from the TV cameras and reporters because nobody knows who they are anyway.
If it had a moniker it might be the No-Name Lane.
—Beth Harris — Twitter: www.twitter.com/@bethharrisap
___
ANNA KENDRICK GETS OSCAR FANS SWOONING
Anna Kendrick just brings something out in fans in the Oscar bleachers that line the red carpet before the show.
The crowd howled its approval when Kendrick, wearing a peach-colored gown, flashed a devil’s sign at fans in a saucy move not entirely unexpected of the “Pitch Perfect” actress.
“My heart melted, and I wanted to jump over the barricade, say hi, and sing with her!” gushed UCLA student Emilio Huerta, 19, who was sitting in the stands with his mother, Ofelia Huerta.
“She’s so cool and relatable,” he added, grinning widely.
—Solvej Schou— Twitter: www.twitter.com/Solvej_Schou
___
IN SEARCH OF CELEBS
Moments of pouring rain didn’t faze Jana Kahn, who traveled all the way from balmy Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, with her teen daughters and husband to join other celebrity-loving fans in bleachers above the Oscars’ red carpet.
Clear plastic tents shielded fans and the carpet itself from alternating periods of stormy weather and bright sun.
“I’m just trying to absorb everything!” said the 50-year-old red-headed mom of the family’s first time at the Oscars. Her equally red-daughters Tegan, 15, and Alexandra, 11, seated next to her on metal benches, chatted happily about the possibility of seeing Johnny Depp and Jennifer Lawrence.
All of them sported freshly painted sparkly nails.
“Johnny Depp is my favorite person ever!” said Tegan, grinning. “I love him. He’s an amazing actor.”
—Solvej Schou— Twitter: www.twitter.com/Solvej_Schou
___
WHO WAS THAT CELEBRITY?
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Early on during Oscar evening the red carpet is likely as not be filled with publicists in search of some news media outlet that wants an interview with their not-really-that-famous client.
Some will hold up signs with a nominee’s name and a list of film credits to help those reporters thinking to themselves, “That guy looks familiar, but … ”
Sometimes they are turned away with a curt nod by reporter or producer and they’ll fade into the crowd. Moments later they’ll be back, looking for another media pack to pitch.
—Beth Harris — Twitter: www.twitter.com/@bethharrisap
___
GLEN CAMPBELL’S WIFE: HE’S HAVING AN OSCAR PARTY
Singer Glen Campbell’s wife said she’s hoping for an Oscar win for him even though he probably won’t understand what it means.
“I’m not sure if he’s really aware but he will be at his own little Oscar party tonight. It would be lovely to go back and let him hold one. It’s just hard for him to understand,” Kim Campbell said on the red carpet before the show.
Campbell, who has Alzheimer’s, is nominated for the song “I’m Not Gonna Miss You,” which Tim McGraw was scheduled to perform during the show. The song is featured in the documentary “Glen Campbell, I’ll Be Me.”
—Xi Xi Yang — Twitter: www.twitter.com/XiXiYang
___