On Jimmy Kimmel this week, they've been doing a recurring segment where Uggie, the adorable scene-stealing dog from THE ARTIST, picks Oscar winners. His trainer lets him loose on stage among posters of the nominees with hot dogs stuck to the top and the one he goes to first is his pick. He selected George Clooney for Best Actor and Meryl Streep for Best Actress, both favorites in their categories.
Well, last night, it was time for Uggie to pick Best Picture and, surprise, he chose THE ARTIST. Clearly this is one smart dog as, odds are, the Academy will agree with him when the actual winner is revealed on the Oscar telecast Sunday night. (Last summer, I beat Uggie's prediction by writing about THE ARTIST as the first potential silent Best Picture winner in 80-odd years.) We still think Uggie deserves a nomination of his own. However there is no Oscar category for Best Supporting Pet....yet.