Ellen Gray: Jackman makes Oscars sing - and dance

IF YOU didn't know Wolverine could sing and dance, you do now.

First-time Oscars host (and "X-Men" star) Hugh Jackman last night drew heavily on his experience as a Tony Award winner – and three-time Tony Awards host - to front a show that had him skipping the light fantastic with Beyonce Knowles in a salute to movie musicals choreographed by Baz Luhrmann and reimagining one of Billy Crystal's trademark opening medleys as a downsized production with grade school-style props.

"The musical's back!" he declared, hopefully, as if "Mamma Mia," not "Slumdog Millionaire," had run away with the night.

But though the Australian host's performance in last year's "Australia" was probably featured in more of the endless clip reels than it deserved, Jackman the host was, if anything, too little seen, as if someone actually thought we'd rather watch montages than a nice-looking guy in a tuxedo.

Unfettered by predecessor Jon Stewart's need to remain a little bit cool on a night that's not really about cool, Jackman played the Oscars straight.

Long before a resplendent Queen Latifah launched into a soulful "I'll Be Seeing You" - a song nearly as old as the Oscars themselves - to introduce the tribute to Academy members who've died in the past year, the 81st annual Academy Awards was feeling more than a bit old-fashioned, even if some of the choices - "Slumdog," "Milk" - didn't.

But then, every Oscarcast is a matter of moments. Usually, many, many moments. Among last night's:

* We're-Going-to-Need-a-Bigger-Boat Moment No. 1: When five Oscar-winning actresses - Eva Marie Saint, Tilda Swinton, Whoopi Goldberg, Anjelica Huston and Goldie Hawn - walked onstage to present the first award of the night and proceeded to take turns paying lavish tribute to each of the nominees for Best Supporting Actress. If you didn't know we were in for a long night before, you did then. (And if you switched channels before they actually got to the winner, you missed a sweet speech by a seemingly stunned Penelope Cruz.)

* We're -Going-to-Need-a-Bigger-Boat Moment No. 2: When Steve Martin and Tina Fey began to read excerpts from each of the nominees for best original screenplay.

* Fancy-Seeing-You-Here Moment: Jennifer Aniston being forced to stand just feet from ex-husband Brad Pitt and mother-of-his-children Angelina Jolie to present a couple of animation awards with Jack Black while trying her best to avoid eye contact.

* Of-the-Moment Moment: Ben Stiller's, er, homage to Joaquin Phoenix, off in a universe of his own as a pretend-flustered Natalie Portman attempts to talk seriously about cinematography.

* Something-for-Your-Viewers-Under-40 Moment: Comedy clip reel presented by "Freaks and Geeks" veterans James Franco and Seth Rogen - and a staple gun.

* "The-Musical's-Back!" Moment: Just as millions of "X-Men" fans were struggling to come to terms with their beloved Wolverine's roots as a song-and-dance man, Jackman launched into a performance that guaranteed he'll always be welcome to go back to hosting the Tonys if this Oscar thing doesn't work out.

* Ready–for-Their-Closeups Moment: As cameras homed in on faces of a number of actors during the acceptance speeches for Heath Ledger's posthumous Oscar, not one was caught looking anything but solemn. Me, I'd have pointed it at Robert Downey Jr. and left it there.

* Not-Quite-Jack-Palance Moment: "Man on Wire" Philippe Petit demonstrates how many Oscars can dance (head down) on his chin. Answer? One.

* Just-a-Moment Moment: Jerry Lewis' short and sweet acceptance of the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award would have been noticeable enough for its brevity. But Lewis, who'll be 83 next month and has suffered a variety of ailments over the years, also looked sadly frail.

* Lather, Rinse, Repeat Moment: Kate Winslet, who'd delivered two of the worst speeches ever during this year's Golden Globes, redeemed herself to some extent with the breathless acceptance of her best-actress Oscar, which began with her recollection of practicing before a bathroom mirror with a bottle of shampoo at the age of 8. "Well, it's not a shampoo bottle now." *

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