Did Jack Nicholson snub the Oscars for the Lakers game?

February 26, 2009 | 1:01 pm

Oscars' king Jack Nicholson — winner of the most awards among male actors — was conspicuously missing from his domain last Sunday.

Usually, we can count on Jack Nicholson to liven up the cackle on the red carpet or make a notable appearance on stage (remember his startled reaction when he announced that "Crash" won best picture?).

Among the three Oscars Nicholson won was best supporting actor for "Terms of Endearment" (1983). Among his past film roles was as the Joker in Tim Burton's "Batman" (1989). Noted Oscarologist Wayman Wong tells Gold Derby, "This would've been a great opportunity: If Nicholson were a supporting-actor presenter and spoke about Heath Ledger's performance as the Joker."

A source close to the show tells Gold Derby that Nicholson wasn't invited to be part of the supporting-actor presentation. But why didn't he attend as a guest? Gold Derby asked Nicholson's agent, but we haven't heard boo back. All we know is that our source tells us, "Jack didn't want to come this year for whatever reason," which was not specified.

So, in the absence of any other info, Gold Derby must assume that King Jack preferred to do something else last Sunday. Now let's see . . . what was occurring at the exact same time as the Oscarcast that might be of more interest to that notorious wag? Hmmmm . . . is it a mere coincidence that the Lakers game was entering the fourth quarter just as the Oscars ceremony began? Which one do you think was on Jack's TV screen just then?

Can 'Watchmen' win over the Oscars?

Oscars censored in 53 Asian nations

Why didn't Kate Winslet thank Harvey Weinstein at the Oscars?

Cheers and boos for the Oscars show

Journos clash over sizing up the Oscarcast

Live blogging the Oscars

Photos: Warner Bros.

Get Gold Derby on Twitter. Join the Gold Derby Group at Facebook. Become friends with Tom O'Neil on Facebook. Get Gold Derby RSS feed via Facebook. RSS Feedburner. RSS Atom.