Steven Spielberg, Terrence Malick and Marin Scorsese all made lauded films in 2011, but their Oscar buzz has been stolen by a brave performer that delivered the year’s most tear-jerking sink defecation moment. Unless something goes terribly wrong -- always a possibility when it comes to the Oscars -- Melissa McCarthy is a lock to earn a Best Supporting Actress nod for her work in Bridesmaids, and Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo also have a reasonable shot at Best Original Screenplay. To which we say “great, and go ahead and give Wiig a Best Actress nomination while you’re at it, Academy.” Both actresses did commanding work that gave Bridesmaids a solid, emotional core to stack hilarious profane jokes on, and helped turn the movie from a fun summer comedy into a cultural phenomenon.

Of the over one-hundred billion people who have ever lived on earth, one is worthy of an HBO biopic more than the rest: former Washington, DC mayor Marion Barry. The man’s life was full of power, intrigue, crime, sex, drugs, violence, and the Ramada Inn--a perfect concoction for appointment-viewing television. In what amounts to good news for lovers of entertaining things, The Washington Post reports Spike Lee and HBO have a Barry biopic in the works, with Eddie Murphy attached to star as the mayor.

Timing has a way of adding an almost cosmic significance to otherwise banal events. Bumping into an old friend is a normal occurrence, but bumping into an old friend just after talking about them? Now, that’s something. The trailer for a lame-looking Eddie Murphy movie like A Thousand Words being released? That kind of thing is a yearly event. That trailer coming out right after he quit the Oscar hosting gig that was supposed to return his edge and revitalize his career? That's kismet. 

Just yesterday, Brett Ratner stepped down as co-producer of next spring's Oscars ceremony following his use of a gay slur at the screening of his new film. Now, his Tower Heist star Eddie Murphy has backed out of his hosting duties, leaving the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences just three months to find a replacement. 

In the last few years Eddie Murphy has been known primarily for donning fat suits and playing the entire Klump clan. And while he's currently starring in Tower Heist with Ben Stiller, as well as lined up to host next year's Oscars ceremony, the actor is eyeing a return to his stand-up roots.

Steve Martin has hosted the Oscars twice, making him something of an awards show professional - actually, they paid him both times, which makes him a literal professional - and that’s why he's also in the best position possible to give this year’s host, Eddie Murphy, some advice. On his website, Martin posted an open letter to Murphy, offering his Bowfinger costar some insight and tips for the gig.

● Lil Wayne's Tha Carter IV sold almost a million copies in its debut week, making Wayne the second rapper (Eminem being the other) to go platinum twice in just seven days. [RapRadar] ● "People who don't have gender dysphoria aren't going to catch it by watching me dance on television," says Chaz Bono, who's on Dancing With The Stars because he just wants to dance. [LAT] ● Probably because nobody thought James Franco was funny last year, the committee decided to get someone they could count on -- vetted comedian Eddie Murphy -- to host this year's Oscars. With him and Bret Ratner onboard, the show is sure to be real rib-tickling. [NYDN]

It's understandable: Some hack flack somewhere was so giddy about Heath Ledger's Golden Globe and SAG nods that they probably ran his/her mouth at a pub somewhere. Then a nearby drunk reporter cobbled together this bit of tattle from his hearsay for UK tabloid The Sun about Christopher Nolan's third installment of Batman. In said report, all the major roles of Gotham, as it's apparently titled, are outlined, with even a teaser as to how the film might or might not end. Excellent reporting, Sun! Here are a few reasons why, aside from Christian Bale and Michael Caine, this cast list is phonier than Katie Holmes' portrayal of Rachel Dawes.

If you’re an action star from the '80s, the thing to do is dip back into the decade of decadence and bring your most celebrated character into the 21st century to kick some ass, senior citizen style. Stallone did it. Harrison Ford just did it. And now Eddie Murphy is doing it.