Meredith Vieira is 'in the dog house' with Oscar nominee James Franco

The 83rd Annual Academy Award nominations were announced this morning.  Flint area moviegoers have been buzzing all week about the impending nominations.  Most local moviegoers I have polled have tipped their hats to Colin Firth for a Best Actor win for his role in 'The King's Speech'.  It seems ‘The Today Show’s’ Meredith Vieira might have done the same thing this morning, while interviewing Firth then fellow nominee and Oscar co-host James Franco after they heard the nomination news.

Firth seemed somewhat dazed during his satellite interview.  Vieira asked Firth if it was sweeter the second time around.  Firth said, ‘Yeah, I guess.  It seems like I was fired out of a cannon sometime this time last year and I’m currently orbiting Pluto or something.’ 

Lauer joked about Firth’s loss last  year, to fellow nominee this year Jeff Bridges ('True Grit').  He asked if he was going to knee cap him or something.  Firth said:

‘What I felt last  year, you know your head spins when you hear the news.  What I felt last year is I don’t know if it has to get any better than this.  If you wait 50 years for something, you know, and you hit a moment like this, it’s celebration enough.  I’m just thrilled to be at the party.’ 

Of fellow cast members Helena Bonham Carter and Geoffrey Rush also receiving Oscar nods, he said, ‘Well that’s the best thing about it, to be going together, to have the Royal Flush.’

Lauer said, ‘As you know, Meredith has been touting you and this movie for months.’  Firth said, ‘I was just about to say that.  I was going to thank Meredith, because I think just getting this far, you’ve played a very big part of it.’  Vieira said, ‘When you get the statue I’ll polish it for you.'  Firth said, ‘Bless you.’

They pulled in James Franco from Connecticut next, who was nominated for an Oscar for his role in ‘127 Hours’.  Franco, who was on his way to class, joked about having his normal pre-class makeup on, having lights appear and an earwig stuck in his ear.  He told Vieira he got to hear her whole interview with Colin Firth.  He said, ‘You’re polishing his statute, hey Meredith?’

Vieira said, ‘James I said if he won but I will polish yours as well.’  She sort of stammered and said, ‘I told you I thought you were brilliant in this movie.’  Franco interjected with, ‘I didn’t put it in, they stuck it in.’ Vieira said, ‘I just simply said, should he win.  But you also could easily win the statue, as you know, it'd be your first time win.’

They discussed Franco’s initial hesitation to co-host the Oscars.  He said he told himself, ‘Because it seems like everyone likes Colin Firth, James, you did it.  You were part of a great movie.  You’re very fortunate and to get that Oscar thing off your mind, the best way to do that is to host the Oscars.’

Lauer asked which seemed more daunting hosting the Oscars or coming up with an acceptance speech should he win.  Franco said he hadn’t come up with any speech and Barry Dale Johnson from Fox Searchlight watched the announcements with him and ‘his heart was beating like crazy so if by some weird, if I’m up there accepting, Barry Dale is gonna be mentioned.  He might have to come up and accept it.’

Lauer said, ‘I just wanna go out on a limb here.  I think you are the favorite to win.  I’m gonna go with you, James, alright?  I’m goin’ with you.’

Franco said, ‘Colin’s not, still has his earwig in and hearing you say that.’  Lauer and Vieira both said he’s gone.  Vieira said, ‘He’s history.  It’s all about you James.  All about you.'

Franco replied, ‘Between me and you, thank you.  It’s a big honor.  I’m very happy.  And the movie, I’m just so happy to have been a part of it.’

Vieira murmured ‘I’m in the dog house’ as they cut to break.

It’s going to be interesting to see which of the 5 Best Actor Oscar nominees walks away with the prize.

Click here to see a list of all this year’s Oscar nominees.

‘The Today Show’ airs in Flint on WEYI NBC25 weekdays at 7 AM EST.

The 83rd Annual Academy Awards will air in Flint on WJRT TV ABC12 on February 27th at 8 PM EST.