Angst in West Hollywood over Vanity Fair's Oscar party

Does Vanity Fair's annual Oscar bash feel right during a time of tough economic times? Well, the show must go on — to the relief of some in West Hollywood, who see the annual party as a nice calling card for the city's entertainment venues. But there is still some angst — namely over a new, smaller location. WeHo News has the details:

"Announcing that the party would go on as usual (the 2008 bash got cancelled due to the writers’ strike), although would be 'more intimate' than in years past, said Vanity Fair chief Graydon Carter. Therein lies the anxiety; will there be room for the lower tier A-listers? Morton’s, the longtime spot for the 'A' list crowd’s Oscar soiree, has been vacated by the ownership and the new location — the historic Sunset Tower Hotel — can hold fewer people for an event, meaning entry to the party got that much harder."

Ryan Gierach notes that Vanity Fair is making a nod to the tough times: The magazine will "recycle decor from past years to save expenses."

—Shelby Grad

Photo: Actor Forest Whitaker and his wife, Keisha, at Vanity Fair's Oscar party  in 2007. Credit: Los Angeles Times.