• Ryan Gosling bet his friends he wouldn't win an Oscar, Starpulse reports, so at least he won something.
• Variety is reporting that the early ratings for ABC's Oscar broadcast are slightly higher than last year's but lower than 2005.
• The Washington Post thinks the Oscars were long and boring, while USA Today calls Ellen's hosting a bright spot.
• A Reuters story about a historian's objection to The Lives of Others includes this quote from Oscar-winning director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck: "I'm delighted to have this wonderful golden phallus in my possession at last."
• Hollywood Reporter has lots of quotes from Oscar winners, including Alan Arkin's comment that he won because he's 72: "Everyone thinks I'm going to keel over in a few years."
• According to the LA Times, The Departed proves that not trying to win an Oscar might actually help win one.
• And Variety points out that The Departed's DVD sales are going to go through the roof.
• As Jennifer Hudson rules the Oscars, Fantasia Barrino heads to Broadway, reports Variety.
• Somehow, Ghost Rider tops the box office during a weekend of honoring really good movies, reports USA Today.

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