Out To Lunch With Oscar

The countdown to the Oscars is officially on, with the annual Academy Awards Nominees' Luncheon. Talk about a select guest list! CBS National Correspondent, Hattie Kauffman reports for The Early Show.

You know, all the award shows we've seen so far (the Screen Actors Guild, the People's Choice Awards, Golden Globes, etc.) are just a warmup for Hollywood's main event: the Academy Awards. One of the functions of the nominees' luncheon is to allow the guests to let off some steam and to congratulate each other. From there, everyone goes home a winner.

Best actress nominee Nicole Kidman arrived alone, raising the question: Who will escort her on Oscar night?

"I don't really have anyone to bring at the moment, so I'm looking," she said.

With a Golden Globe and a SAG award already in hand, frontrunner Russell Crowe is feeling good to go.

"As you can see, I'm really tense," he told us. "And that's really the fun of it."

For the first time, three African-Americans are up for the industry's top honors. The nominees are keenly aware of their role in history.

"I don't really know how it will transform the industry. But what I do know is that it will, hopefully, instill hope in other people of color," said Halle Berry.

"Everybody voted for the best and happened to be African-American. I don't put any spin, any other spin on it than that," said Denzel Washington.

"I never thought...the first rapper to be nominated for an Oscar. That's actually kind of cool. I've made history already!" Will Smith added with a laugh.

As for what the stars will wear, it is usually top secret until Oscar night. But Smith said he'll wear whatever his wife, Jada, lays out on the bed.

Also some Hollywood news from the luncheon: Jon Voight announced that his daughter, Angelina Jolie, just adopted a baby.

The Oscars will be handed out on Sunday, March 24.