The best and worst of the Oscars '08 - latimes.com

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<i>By Stephanie Lysaght and Patrick Day, Los Angeles Times Staff Writers</i>

( Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times / February 24, 2008 )

By Stephanie Lysaght and Patrick Day, Los Angeles Times Staff Writers

This year's Oscar season was a time of excruciating uncertainty. Would the writers' strike be settled in time for the big event? Would rain turn hundreds of hairdos into hairdon'ts?

In the end, it all worked out; the writers made a deal with the studios, it didn't rain after all, and the show that ensued was filled with as much magic and madness as ever. Here are the highlights -- and lowlights of the three-hour, 22-minute love-fest.

1. Google won't exclude distorted Michelle Obama image from its site

2. Former CNN anchor Lou Dobbs considers NJ Senate run, possible stop for White House bid

3. Lakers' cruise gets a little choppy

4. Mexico tightens security at U.S. border crossings

5. Toyota to replace 4 gas pedals that could jam

6. Tim Rutten: Who's watching Glenn Beck?

7. Google uses ad to apologize for offensive picture of Michelle Obama in image search results

8. Airlines fined $175,000 for stranding passengers on plane

9. Ron Artest keeps things brief on talk show

10. CalPERS probes oversight of two outside hedge fund advisors

1. Screaming kids and airplanes: Mayday! Mayday!

2. What do scientists think about religion?

3. Restaurants brace for a sour season as consumers lose appetite for dining out

4. More attacks on redheads reported at Calabasas school

5. Understanding China

6. The universe's past, in close-up

7. A more flavorful dry-brined turkey

8. Beck shakes up LAPD's command staff

9. Conservation is seen as key to dealing with state's water woes

10. Tim Rutten: Who's watching Glenn Beck?