MERYL GOES SUPPORTING, UP AGAINST OPRAH

The Oscars are already over six months away, but there's one race that's already heating up. Best Supporting Actress was considered, by many, to have been set aside for Oprah Winfrey in Lee Daniels' The Butler. But look who's come along to spoil Oprah's fun... Meryl Streep. No-one gets past Meryl for a nomination, although in recent years, the overdue card has been dragged out for a litany of actors when up against the mighty Meryl, so I'd say Oprah still has the lead over Meryl's now officially supporting turn in August: Osage County (still unseen beyond test screenings, btw). This won't do much for the buzz surrounding Margo Martindale's performance in the same film, as she too will be campaigned for in supporting, but it gives co-lead Julia Roberts a big help en route to the Oscar podium. I know. Julia Roberts. Again. Not after last year. Pleeeeeeeeease not after last year...