AND NOT ONLY BECAUSE IT DESCRIBES A DANCE I'D NEVER WANT TO PERFORM: On this Oscar eve, let's collect a list -- best film songs not nominated for Oscars. I'll start with this one, almost every song in Purple Rain, and the theme from New York, New York. Oh, and "Let It Be" was apparently eligible in 1970, but not nominated.

I WAS ROOTING FOR CHUCK AND LARRY: In addition to the much publicized photogaphs, it's not been a good week for Lindsay Lohan--tonight, I Know Who Killed Me racked up 8 Golden Raspberry Awards, a new record, including 3 for Lohan herself (a tie for Worst Actress, for her dual roles in the film, and Worst Screen Couple). Other "winners" included Eddie Murphy (worst actor, worst supporting actor, and worst supporting actress, all for Norbit), and Daddy Day Camp (Worst Remake or Sequel).

SEND NOT TO KNOW FOR WHOM THE MONTAGE ROLLS, IT ROLLS FOR THEE: I have no question that if Heath Ledger is included within the traditional Oscar Necrology package, as opposed to receiving a separate tribute as I predict, he will lead the pack by a country mile. There's nothing to really debate -- if he's in the montage, he'll be the last name, and receive a long and enthusiastic standing ovation.

Beyond Ledger, here's your noteworthies in the running in the annual applause-o-meter-of-death rankings: Ingmar Bergman, Michelangelo Antonioni, Ousmane Sembene, Deborah Kerr, Roy Scheider, Marcel Marceau, Jane Wyman, Roscoe Lee Browne, Brad Renfro, Tom Poston, Joel Siegel and betting pool super-sleeper Jack Valenti.

So, Ledger to the side, I'll go with Scheider to win, Valenti to place and Renfro for show -- recency counts for a lot, and them furr'ners never get the props they deserve.

PAYING ANYTHING TO ROLL THE DICE, JUST ONE MORE TIME: Journey's got a new singer and, damn, he really sounds like Steve Perry. But he doesn't sound like he's trying to sound like Steve Perry, if you know what I mean.

Check it out.

MOUNT RAPMORE REVISITED: Bill Simmons has reconsidered his choices for "Mount Rapmore", which we analyzed last week. His revised selections (look for "Issue No. 3" in the newer Simmons link) are:

1. Tupac
2. Dr. Dre
3. Russell Simmons (which should please our commenter dp)
   
4. Rakim (which should please Kevin and Tim Something)

While pondering the question, feel free to listen to this groundbreaking tune or this one from 1974 long before any of the people listed above were famous.

PWNED BY BRETT MYERS: The Phillies' Kyle Kendrick was told this week that he was traded to Japan -- which, given that he was actually being punk'd by his teammates, makes for a good weekend video.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN ... I'VE TRAVELED OVER HALF OUR STATE TO BE HERE TONIGHT: Traditionally, this is about the part of Oscar Week when we finally sit down and talk about our rooting interests for the show -- not predictions of what will happen, but what we're hoping to see happen. And since the best film I saw from 2007 was the not-nominated-for-anything Zodiac and I've only seen two of the nominated films (Clayton, Blood) and four of the twenty nominated performances ... well, I'm mostly hoping that Jon Stewart puts on a good show (and that the milkshake joke is a good one), that Roderick Jaynes gives a kick-ass speech if he wins for Best Editing, and that Ratatouille be honored at least once. You?

[Necrology predictions and other wagering will come in a separate post.]