The one new element from producers Bill Condon and Mark Lawrence that seemed to work during the Oscar telecast was the use of as many as five presenters for some awards -- one for each nominee.
The innovation worked best with actresses. It was fine on its first try when five performers who had won the award for best supporting actress in the past were on hand to give this year's Oscar in that category to Penelope Cruz for her performance in Vicky Cristina Barcelona.
The five were: Anjelica Huston. Eva Marie Saint, Tilda Swinton, Whoopi Goldberg and Goldie Hawn. It is pretty hard to go wrong with a lineup like that.
But it was even better when repeated for the best actress award that went to Kate Winslet. The five were: Sophia Loren, Marion Cotillard, Shirley MacLaine, Nicole Kidman and Halle Berry. Having them address the nominees directly was an innovative and winning touch.