Oscar Party Gossip

Penn's pal

Newly single <a href='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/sean-penn/106027/main' target='_blank'>Sean Penn</a> was spotted getting cozy with supermodel Petra Nemcova at the Elton John AIDS Foundation Oscar Viewing party. (By the way, this is the oddest pairing since James Blunt and ... Petra Nemcova.) Hey Petra, find a guy that isn't 20 years your senior. We're sure there's a line forming somewhere ...

Oscar Party Gossip

Off duty

<a href='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/ellen-degeneres/17737/main' target='_blank'>Ellen DeGeneres</a> steered clear of the Kodak this year, choosing to enjoy the show with girlfriend <a href='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/portia-de-rossi/198456/main' target='_blank'>Portia de Rossi</a> from the comfort of Elton John's bash at West Hollywood's Pacific Design Center. DeGeneres seemed to be enjoying the role of onlooker, but joked, "It's better to host. It goes faster."

Oscar Party Gossip

A small affair

<a href='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/prince/107105/main' target='_blank'>Prince</a> hosted a post-Oscars party at a private residence in Beverly Hills, but it wasn't much of a rager. Only 11 boldface names attended (and two of those names were <a href='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/dane-cook/271377/main' target='_blank'>Dane Cook</a> and <a href='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/christina-milian/356905/main' target='_blank'>Christina Milian</a> ... ). We're not even sure if the evening's host showed up. Then again, his Purple-ness is so small, he can be tough to spot in a crowd.

Oscar Party Gossip

Odd couple

Two stars who did hit the Prince bash? Oscar winner <a href='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/tilda-swinton/69397/main' target='_blank'>Tilda Swinton</a> and music legend <a href='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/stevie-wonder/117236/main' target='_blank'>Stevie Wonder</a>, who were repeatedly photographed together at the shindig.

Oscar Party Gossip

Jimmy who?

<a href='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/christian-slater/66187/main' target='_blank'>Christian Slater</a> and his new squeeze, Jimmy Choo founder Tamara Mellon, made the scene at Elton John&#39;s Oscar bash. Wonder if it&#39;s tough for Slater to see his gal pal get more run during awards season than he does.

Oscar Party Gossip

Salud!

How did smoldering Spanish duo <a href='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/javier-bardem/3887/main' target='_blank'>Javier Bardem</a> and <a href='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/penelope-cruz/186999/main' target='_blank'>Penelope Cruz</a> celebrate his big Oscar win? <i>Con cerveza, claro que si!</i> At the Miramax after-party at the Chateau Marmont, 'No Country' villain Bardem ordered up a round of Pacifico for Penelope and their pals.

Oscar Party Gossip

Oh brothers

'Gone Baby Gone' director <a href='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/ben-affleck/426/main' target='_blank'>Ben Affleck</a> and his Oscar-nominated brother <a href='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/casey-affleck/121005/main' target='_blank'>Casey</a> partied together at the Miramax bash. Ben was noticeably absent from the pre-show red carpet (leaving wife <a href='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/jennifer-garner/230436/main' target='_blank'>Jennifer Garner</a> to fight off <a href='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/gary-busey/9844/main' target='_blank'>Gary Busey</a> on her own). But at least now we know why: <a href='http://news.aol.com/entertainment/television/tv-news-story/ar/_a/kimmel-declares-hes-f-ben-affleck/20080225070109990001' target='_blank'>he was f---ing Jimmy Kimmel!</a>

Oscar Party Gossip

The charity whisperer

<a href='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/jennifer-love-hewitt/215497/main' target='_blank'>Jennifer Love Hewitt</a> hosted &#34;The Envelope Please,&#34; a party benefiting AIDS Project Los Angeles at West Hollywood hotspot the Abbey. Attendees included &#39;Queer Eye&#39; guy Jai Rodriguez, <a href='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/ricki-lake/40071/main' target='_blank'>Ricki Lake</a> and &#39;80s pop sensation Tiffany. What, they didn&#39;t get invites to the real thing?

Oscar Party Gossip

Define 'stars'

The 18th Annual Night of 100 Stars, held at the Beverly Hills Hotel, looked like a bit of a bust, with <a href='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/jenna-jameson/223236/main' target='_blank'>Jenna Jameson</a>, <a href='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/traci-bingham/360135/main' target='_blank'>Traci Bingham</a> and <a href='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/tia-carrere/11254/main' target='_blank'>Tia Carrere</a> hobnobbing alongside <a href='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/tony-shalhoub/64745/main' target='_blank'>Tony Shalhoub</a>, <a href='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/lauren-holly/32946/main' taget='_blank'>Lauren Holly</a> and 'Celebrity Apprentice' rejects <a href='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/omarosa-manigault-stallworth/478576/main' target='_blank'>Omarosa</a> and <a href='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/tito-ortiz/277547/main' target='_blank'>Tito Ortiz</a>. Not even a Donald sighting.

Oscar Party Gossip

Eastside ... westside

Just so celebs on the other coast didn't feel left out, the Academy hosted a bash at The Carlyle in New York with <a href='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/chevy-chase/12488/main' target='_blank'>Chevy Chase</a>, funny lady <a href='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/elaine-stritch/68342/main' target='_blank'>Elaine Stritch</a> and Ben's parents, <a href='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/jerry-stiller/112817/main' target='_blank'>Jerry Stiller</a> and <a href='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/anne-meara/48147/main' target='_blank'>Anne Meara</a>. Also in attendance was the less comedic -- but still full of grace -- Colombian beauty <a href='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/catalina-sandino-moreno/385916/main' target='_blank'>Catalina Sandino Moreno</a>.

Oscar Party Gossip

Uptown ... downtown

Variety's viewing party at the W Hotel in NYC served the industry crowd dinner and drinks in the Court lounge. But the biggest Big Apple bash was at Mario Batali's Spotted Pig restaurant, where New York magazine served 'Juno' & Juice cocktails to the likes of <a href='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/eddie-izzard/215552/main' target='_blank'>Eddie Izzard</a> and <a href='http://movies.aol.com/celebrity/alan-cumming/16130/main' target='_blank'>Alan Cumming</a>.