The biggest variety show of all: The Oscars?

Used to be such a big event for me, but how could that be when I'm in Hong Kong, where some of the lesser-known nominated pictures aren't even released yet? Letters from Iwo-Jima, Notes on a Scadal, The Queen, etc. We can't really fully appreciate the calibre of the nominations without seeing the whole category, right? That's why the Oscar show has become just a another TV night for me these years, seeing the stars, listening to Best Original Songs, jokes from the host, and useless segments like that of the Hollywood Special Sound Effects Choirs (?), or Will Ferrel and Jack Black doing a completely incoherent skit? I remember days when I had to leave work early to catch the start of the shows (show starts at 5pm in California). In my college days, I volunteered at the biggest Oscar Party in San Francisco (Academy of Friends) which has grown to an institution in itself, raising funds every year benefitting a whole bunch of local AIDS-related organizations. Man, those nights were fun.
Back to this year's show... Memorable moments for me are heartfelt statements and little gestures not quite scripted purposefully (or ones that are just WRONG).

Did you catch:
1. Helen Mirren's tribute to QEII?
2. The Kiss between Melissa Etheridge and her wife?
3. Merryl Streep's cold stare at Anne Hathaway "reprising" their roles in "The Devil Wears Prada"?
4. Beyonce and Jennifer Hudson belling out (borderline screaming) with their boobs almost falling out of their gowns?

5. The BIG MISTAKE of saying "The Departed" was adapted from a JAPANESE movie during the announcement of the "Best Adapted Screenplay" win?
Anyway, the show was good, and when you thought Dreamgirls had a sure-win for Best Original Song, Melissa Etheridge delivered a delicious performance and a very meaningful message in her "I Need to Wake Up" win for "The Inconvenient Truth". How great was THAT?!