This just in: to counter the widespread belief that the Motion Picture Academy is dominated by old white guys, the 82nd Academy Awards will be hosted by... two old white guys!  Okay, Alec Baldwin is barely past the half-century mark, and doing what many consider the best work of his career on "30 Rock," but Steve Martin will be eligible for Medicare next year.  (Man, now I feel old.)

Martin has proven his chops writing as well as performing, and it's a good bet they'll make at least a few references to the comedy "It's Complicated," which comes out this Christmas and stars Baldwin and Martin as rivals for Meryl Streep's affections.  And Baldwin will probably take a jab at his co-host by mentioning his 2004 Oscar nomination, as Best Supporting Actor for "The Cooler," a few times: Martin has never received a nod from the Academy, not even for his marvelous screenplay for 1987's "Roxanne."

As for hosting, Baldwin is something of a novice, but Martin hosted the Academy Awards in 2001, earning an Emmy nomination, and again in 2003.  Interestingly, when our Denise Quan interviewed Martin this May about his new bluegrass album, she asked him about a possible return as Oscar host.  His reply: "I don't think so... I did it twice, that was enough... as soon as you say yes to the Oscars, that's the only thing you think about for three months."  Guess we know what he'll be thinking about between now and next March 7.

The "mature" pair probably won't dance about the stage as Hugh Jackman did last year, though there's a good chance Martin will pull out his banjo at least once... and they're definitely both funny.  How do you think they'll do as Oscar hosts?

The last time pop star Mariah Carey had a key role on the big screen was in the notoriously awful “Glitter” in 2001. But her performance in the upcoming drama, “Precious” has drawn a much different reaction from the critics: praise. Director Lee Daniels removed every bit of “glitter” from her physical appearance for the film and transformed her into a dowdy, unglamorous, non-make-up-wearing welfare caseworker - the very antithesis of a diva.

Why would she agree to all this? I put that very question to her at the film’s red carpet premiere Sunday night at Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Los Angeles.

“I just loved the book 'Push' that 'Precious' is based on and read it a few years back,” she says, “And I was just like, if this gets made into a movie - and I know Lee Daniels can do it right - if I can just be a part of it, they can put bags under my eyes and as many mustaches on me as they want, and hideous hairdos, and it is what it is, but it comes from inside and they stripped all the layers and [helped me] become the character.”

One of my colleagues in the press asks, "Was this performance a career milestone?"

“I had one film [Glitter] that had me under the stone! (laughs) I didn't realize that you really have to be selective with the people that you work with and you have to have that support system and you have to work with people who you think are geniuses and Lee Daniels is a genius in my book.”

“Precious” opens in limited release this Friday, November 6th.

Producer Jack Hannah hates horror films.

October is not a month when I like to go to the movies. Hollywood's push to scare people into theaters with a slew of horror films around Halloween doesn't interest me whatsoever.

Why? I simply don't like scary movies... because, for me, they work. Horror/thriller/slashers really do scare the crap out of me. There, I said it (or wrote it). We recently interviewed Jason Reiss, a psychology professor at Wheaton College who teaches a class on horror films. He told us the reason some people "...don't like the horror movie is because they can't detach from it. They keep re-living and re-visiting the scenes. Visually they see it over and over again in their mind. So it isn't the beginning and ending experience that it is for a lot of other people." Well, I'm one of those people.

It all started when I was a kid and was forced by my peers to sit through "The Exorcist" at a friend's house late at night. We were all freaked out... but when the credits finally rolled, all my friends were somehow able to shake the vision of "Regan" doing the crab-walk up and down a staircase. I, on the other hand, had to sleep with the light on for months.

However, I cover entertainment news for CNN. And when you cover entertainment news, you're required to screen a ton of movies. For the most part, I've been able to dodge the occasional horror film land-mine... but recently, the editorial powers that be dropped a bomb on me: I was forced to go see the much-hyped thriller and box office darling "Paranormal Activity" for a network story.

Interestingly, our reporter who was assigned the story with me, Kareen Wynter, loooooooves the horror genre. It's common knowledge around our office that a good horror film on DVD makes the perfect gift for Kareen around the holidays. I was nervous and filled with anxiety on the day we had to watch "Paranormal Activity," but at least I had a trusted ally at my side who could ease my fear when the spooky stuff started jumping out on screen.

So I went with Kareen to the movie theater, curled up in a seat, did my best to get comfortable, turned off my Blackberry and did what had to be done: I watched a scary movie.

I have no desire to spoil anyone else's plans to see the film so I won't reveal any plot lines or memorable scenes... but I'll say that, for me, "Paranormal Activity" achieved its purpose: it really did scare me. I was scared, like "fall-asleep-with-the-TV-on-so-you-don't-wake-up-in-the-middle-of-the-night-in-darkness" scared.

As for Kareen? Well, I'll let her dish on her "Paranormal Activity" experience.

Entertainment Correspondent Kareen Wynter is a horror film fanatic.

OK, can I just start by saying that I think I have psychologically scarred one of my colleagues for life!

Not a good feeling at the end of my busy work week considering he’s about to become a new dad. Ok Jack, you’re off the hook when it comes to horror assignments…this season at least.

You know, I’ve given it quite a bit of thought over the years...what is it about horror, about heart pounding thriller flicks that makes my blood rush? I think the psychology professor whom Jack and I interviewed for our story said it best. You get to experience fear and danger without it actually happening. Meaning when the lights go on, hey you’re back to living life as normal. Oh, unless you’re like many movie-goers who just can’t shake those haunting images of the axe wielding murderer. What better escape could you ask for?

But for me, I think it goes a lot deeper than just the adrenaline rush… it’s actually a family affair. My mom will kill me for revealing this and trust me… she had nothing to do with this but my younger brother and I actually grew up watching horror movies together. With our eight year difference, we found ourselves constantly fighting. This was the one true hobby we shared where heck, we actually got along. Where we didn’t mind snuggling up next to each other for an hour and a half to get scared out of our minds. What better bonding opportunity?

I admit it… while the parents were asleep, we would sneak downstairs to watch movies like "Friday the 13th", "Nightmare on Elm Street", "Chucky" ... you name it. As we got older this favorite pastime stuck with us. One thing that was interesting though is we became “immune” to the typical scary movie. I won’t name names as I don’t want to hurt any feelings here but true horror junkies get BORED over time with the tame and predictable films.

This is something our psychologist also mentioned. Yes folks there is a condition for this. Horror fanatics actually try to top the last fear-filled experience. It’s like riding a rollercoaster… you don’t want to go on the same wimpy ride EVERY time. Sometimes you get disappointed since there’s no way of telling how scary a film will actually be, but you do develop a nose for them. I’m sure there are millions of horror fans out there that can relate to this.

So, now you know how much of a fan I am of these movies. You’re also well aware of the strong blood line in the family. But the big question I also get at times is do I get scared?

OF COURSE I DO!

That’s the whole point to these films. There are times I have to sleep with the lights on…or have nightmares about a movie but this type of fear is actually a fun, exciting feeling.

It’s what keeps moviegoers going back for more. I’ve seen all the "Halloween" movies at least a hundred times. I know every ending by heart and guess what? I still have visions of Michael Myers in my mind as I make my way to the kitchen for a late night snack.

The best ones… the classic horror movies really stick with you.

So here’s to horror! Let’s just hope Hollywood keeps rolling the scary movies out so film junkies like me can continue dabbling in this fantasy of fear!

Liam Neeson, fresh from his gritty, tough guy performance in "Taken," is tackling a very different kind of role in the upcoming big-screen version of "The A-Team." Neeson's usual screen persona is as serious as a triple coronary bypass, and I'm not quite sure I see him as the light, devil-may-care leader of the group, "Hannibal Smith," the role made famous by the late George Peppard.

But Bradley Cooper, who plays "Face" in the film, vouches for his new on-screen boss.

"We're filming it right now, and he's fantastic. I think that people are going to love his Hannibal. He certainly raises everybody's game when you do a scene with him. He's an incredible actor."

But what exactly is the tone of this thing? Serious? Funny?

"It's everything, you know, it's like, at its best, if we succeed in this movie, it'll toe the line of being both, which I think is the goal."

So Neeson's hitting the comedy notes?

"He's hitting notes I've never even heard of. Yeah, he's that good."

I love it when a plan comes together...

The release of "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" is less than a month away, but getting plot details from its director, Chris Weitz, took a little prodding when I caught up with him Monday night at the Hollywood Film Festival Awards Gala.

Sooo... what can you tell us about "New Moon?"

"Uhh... it's about a girl who likes this vampire," he quips.

Oh, c'mon...

"Every time I give away a secret I get in terrible trouble. So I can't really tell you anything. I'm only allowed to say boring things about it. It will not disappoint - something like that."

So it will be similar in tone to the first film?

"No. I think it will be a lot darker and also in some ways more epic because we traveled to Italy, there's a lot more action, and there are werewolves - we didn't have those in the first one. So there's a lot of grandeur to it.  There's also the satisfaction of watching a young woman's heart get broken into a million pieces."

That's always fun.

"Yeah, I enjoyed that very much," he says with a grin.

As if there wasn't enough controversy surrounding Michael Jackson – the investigation into his death, whether the "This Is It" movie and album are attempts to capitalize on his demise, who wrote the title song, ad nauseum – you might think the last thing at issue is whether that's really Michael dancing and singing on screen.  But the late star's father, Joe Jackson (not the most credible source in the world when it comes to his sons), said recently the film would be "mostly body doubles."

Now, Michael impersonators are a dime a dozen, especially here in Hollywood, where you can't swing a sequined glove without hitting a moon-walking wannabe.  But using them in a movie called "Michael Jackson's This Is It"?  Could a movie studio really be that craven?

Absolutely not, says... the movie studio.  Specifically, Steve Elzer, Senior Vice President, Media Relations at Sony Pictures.  Here's his quote, which doesn't seem to leave much wiggle room for interpretation:

This story is pure garbage and there are no body doubles.  Audiences will begin to see the film tomorrow and every time they see the King of Pop they will know that every frame is unquestionably and undeniably Michael as he rehearses and prepares for the London concerts that were to have begun this past summer.

Good enough for me.  Pass the popcorn.

Tell us if you're buying tickets, what opening night looked like in your town and your review of the film here, on iReport.com.

Warning: mild 'Astro Boy' spoilers ahead.

Monday night, I covered the premiere of "Astro Boy" in Hollywood. 

So, what do "Astro Boy" and "Balloon Boy" have in common? Neither of the boys lived up to their parents’ desires.  

"Astro Boy" is a robot created by a scientist in the likes of a son he lost, in hopes of filling a void. "Balloon Boy" is about a son named Falcon Heene, used by selfish, fame-chasing parents as a tool in a fictional scenario.

Astro Boy is not able to meet his father's needs and goes on a journey in search of acceptance. Falcon goes on numerous public interviews and gets sick on national TV, and now his parents are being accused of carrying out a hoax.

Eventually, Astro Boy becomes a hero who saves a city –- Balloon Boy’s future is questionable.

While most stars on the red carpet chose not to voice their opinions on the Heene family, Eugene Levy summed it up like this: “This is a guy who takes his kids to chase hurricanes and thinks it’s cool. That’s where you have to start. The story right now has come almost full circle… it’s pretty bizarre, this is not your typical family situation.”

Where do you think the future lies with Falcon Heene and his brothers, his whole family?

Singer Leona Lewis says she was shocked by the alleged attack. Also, what is director Roman Polanski up to these days in prison? He's still working on a film. Find out more in The Buzz:

Here's what's going on in the world of entertainment today:

It didn't take long for ABC to snatch up Matthew Perry's upcoming comedy series, according to The Hollywood Reporter. That would potentially make him the second "Friends" alum on the network after Courteney Cox.

Chris Pine is looking to add a second iconic character to his resume. After his star-making turn in "Star Trek" as Captain Kirk, Variety reports that he is negotiating to play Jack Ryan in a new movie (or movies) based on the Tom Clancy novels.

The character has previously been played by Harrison Ford, Alec Baldwin and Ben Affleck.

There seems to be no love lost between Tracy Morgan and some of his fellow former "Saturday Night Live" cast members. EW.com takes a look at his upcoming book and reports that he has some pretty harsh (and profane) words for Chris Kattan and Cheri Oteri, essentially asking "Where are they now?" (Kattan has most recently been seen on the new ABC series "The Middle," Oteri had a regular voice role on the now-canceled Fox series "Sit Down, Shut Up.")

"Glee" creator Ryan Murphy responds to EW.com about a decision, reportedly at the request of NBC, to pull his show's cast from the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade: “I completely understand NBC’s position and look forward to seeing a Jay Leno float."

The Washington Post reports that ratings for the DJ AM reality show "Gone Too Far" were only a fraction of those for MTV's hit series "The Hills" this time last year, leaving some to wonder if the show's remaining episodes will air as planned.

Tommy Lee Jones is in talks to direct and co-star in "The Lincoln Lawyer," with Matthew McConaughey, The Hollywood Reporter says. The title is quite literal, based on a book about a "wheeler-dealer" attorney whose office is his Lincoln car.

Singer Al Martino died on Tuesday at his home in Springfield, Pennsylvania, according to The Hollywood Reporter. He is best known as playing Johnny Fontane in "The Godfather." He was 82.

From Jon Gosselin's money troubles to Christy Brinkley's divorce proceedings, CNN's Douglas Hyde has today's buzz: