Oscars: Upset, Followed By Favorites

In what many observers are calling a stunning upset, the racially charged drama "Crash" grabbed the Academy Award for best picture from the favored "Brokeback Mountain." But, as The Early Show entertainment contributor and People Magazine Senior Editor Jess Cagle reports, the favorites in the acting categories all took home statuettes.

More than half the actors nominated for the awards-fest had never been up for an Oscar before. All four acting winners were first-time nominees, and all were expected to win.

George Clooney was the first winner of the night, copping best supporting actor for "Syriana." He spoke with Harry Smith as the night's celebrations were just beginning.

"It's a tough year for movies," Clooney observed later to co-anchor Harry Smith, "so I was really surprised. It's hard to start it out, first one out of the gate. That's a lot of pressure!"

Frontrunner Phillip Seymour Hoffman was named best actor for playing the real-life title character in "Capote."

Oscars host Jon Stewart joked, " 'Capote' showed America that not all gay people are virile cowboys (referring to 'Brokeback Mountain') — some are actually effete New York intellectuals."

Stewart himself was another first-timer, as host of Hollywood's biggest night. He made the most of the night's more unpredictable moments, including the victory of "Three 6 Mafia'" for best song for "It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp."Stewart cracked, "For those of you keepng score at home ... Martin Scorsese, zero Oscars. Three 6 Mafia, one."

Rachel Weisz was best supporting actress, playing an activist wife in "The Constant Gardener."

She told Smith she's seven-months pregant, and she could feel the baby moving around: "There was quite a bit of adrenaline for the baby tonight. Someone told me babies bring blessings, so maybe the baby brought this (Oscar)."

Reese Witherspoon sang her way to an Oscar as best actress, playing June Carter Cash in "Walk the Line."

She told reporters later, "It was a great sort of accomplishment to just learn to stand in my own shoes ... and be proud of myself, which is different for me."

Reese had another reason to be happy: Her husband, Ryan Phillipe, is one of the stars of best picture "Crash," which ended the evening with three Oscars. So did "Brokeback," "Memoirs of a Geisha" and "King Kong."

Phillipe remarked to Smith, "What an amazing night, top see my wife up there, that last 30 minutes was just mind-blowing, man. To see her holding the Osca,r after being together ten years, and then for ("Crash") to win, it just blew me away."