on glamour, glitz and gold-plated gents

All that glitters … is to unfold anon on Hollywood’s red carpet.

I’m not into the Academy Awards. For another year, having seen not one of the nominated films (not for a lack of passion for movies but money) dampens the suspense and viewing.

Frankly, I’m more intrigued by the work and humble tasks that go on behind the scenes than the presentation of magic and allure, to be witnessed by millions.

Take the red carpet.

Why red?

So I spent the morning surfing for answers.

Red carpets were traditionally rolled out for leaders and politicians. Its first mention dates to 458 B.C. in Agamemnon by Aeschylus. There’s disagreement among translators on whether the color of the carpet on which Agamemnon entered the palace was purple or red. Some say crimson. For today’s purposes, we’ll settle for red.

The Oscars carpet that’s rolled out along Hollywood Boulevard in front of the Kodak Theater is 500 feet long and 33 feet wide.

According to the Oscars, an abbreviated display took place in 2003 due to the U.S. invasion of Iraq days prior. “The show went on as scheduled, but the red carpet was limited to the area immediately in front of the theater entrance, the red carpet bleachers were eliminated and the majority of the world’s press was disinvited. The next year, the red carpet was back in full force, with all its glamour and sizzle.”

Inquiring minds need to know.

I uncovered nothing, despite a good poke-around, on whether the same carpet’s used each year, where it’s stored, how it’s cleaned, who owns it (I’ll presume the Academy), its original price and current value and cost of insurance.

Inquiring minds are left dissatisfied and frustrated. (Were I a reporter in Hollywood, I’d be digging for answers to these burning questions!)

I did come across these charming facts and figures at the U.K.’s Telegraph. (Considering the source, take it or leave it; interesting nonetheless.)

$5
The price of a guest ticket to the very first ceremony, held in 1929 at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.

$200
The wage (roughly) of an Oscars “seat-filler” – the people who sit in empty seats when stars take a jaunt to the bar so that the auditorium always looks full.

13 inches
The height of the golden Oscar statuette, which weighs 8.5 lbs and costs $500 to make.

45
The number of seconds each actor’s speech is restricted to, as of 2010.

22
The number of Oscars won by Walt Disney, making him easily the biggest winner.

704
The number of press organizations requesting passes this year (283 were granted them).

And for ye fellow foodies:

250
Culinary staff members who will assist Wolfgang Puck with the creation of his master menu for the post-Oscars Governor’s Ball, along with 900 staff members.

On the menu:

1,200
Kumamoto oysters

25
gallons of homemade cocktail sauce

10
pounds of winter black truffles

1,000
spiny lobsters

7,200
individual shrimp

50,000
organic heirloom baby vegetables

15
pounds of edible gold dust

4000
mini chocolate Oscars

While not all can come away with an Oscar, they’ll certainly come away fed like royalty … like Agamemnon, king of Mycenae!

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