Your backstage pass to Sunday's Oscars

This year, George Clooney's date likely will be Italian model Elisabetta Canalis. And I'm hoping that some of Hollywood's clandestine pairs will make Oscar 2010 their night to go public. Maybe Carey Mulligan will bring beau Shia LaBeouf. Perhaps Leonardo DiCaprio will show up with his on-again, off-again lady, stunning supermodel Bar Refaeli. When he brought then-girlfriend Gisele Bundchen in 2005, the cameras almost exploded!

Fashion's biggest hits ...

It's all about fashion at the Oscars. Millions are at stake for a designer who gets a gown on the year's hottest starlet. Halle Berry's sexy, stunning sheer-top gown put designer Elie Saab on the map in 2002. Classic always is a winner, too. I'll never forget seeing Julia Roberts in that vintage Valentino in 2001. Sharon Stone created her own classic when she wore a Gap T-shirt in 1996. I think I saw a designer or two pass out that night! Glamour gals to watch this year: Kate Hudson has been knocking it out of the fashion park in gorgeous white gowns, Marion Cotillard is always stunning, and Penelope Cruz is brilliant at adding a Spanish spin to her red-carpet glam.

... And fiascos

There have been relatively few disasters at the awards shows recently. The stars have been playing it elegant and safe. But on Oscar night, when the fashion stakes are at their highest, all bets are off. Of course, I've had my own fashion mishaps. In 1991, Dances With Wolves was big, so I wore an animal print with a boa collar. (Note to self: Never wear brown to the Oscars again.)

What you won't see

What you don't get to see at the Oscars is what's happening off camera. One great (and unexpected) place to catch a little celebrity gossip is in the ladies' room. Name any actress, and I've probably seen her waiting in line, touching up her makeup in the mirror, gushing over other actresses, and even catching up about kids and carpooling.

I love the fact that I've overheard Julia Roberts and Angelina Jolie chatting about babies, diapers and not getting any sleep. Angelina once showed up wearing something that definitely didn't go with her outfit: Shiloh's spit-up. She still looked stunning. I, too, found a little something extra with my Oscar outfit when my son, A.J., was just 18 months. I dashed into the bathroom for a quick last-minute look only to find my hair accessory was his dinner - rice. Not easy to pick out.

Big surprises

We always watch for those unscripted moments, like that kiss (at right)! But some of the most truly surprising moments for me come after the show and at the exclusive invite-only parties - thank goodness I'm on the lists. Among the most memorable: the time we discovered a, shall we say, juicy morsel about super-svelte Hilary Swank. She loves junk food! Right after her second big win in 2005, she gobbled down a fast-food burger. Who knew that the Oscar winner loves a nice, greasy burger just like the rest of us?

Fears and flubs

Who, me, nervous? I may not be the one who is up for an Academy Award, but when you have only a few minutes with each star, and those stars are stacked up like planes over O'Hare, you really have to be prepared. It's as if I have a giant Rolodex in my head of all the stars, their movies, their wives, husbands, boyfriends, girlfriends and children. When they step onto our podium, my brain starts flipping through the card file, and I hope the right one gets pulled out. Let's just hope you don't hear me say, 'Hey, Jeff Bridges, you were great in Up in the Air.'