In a year without a front-runner film and a perhaps overly conscious attempt to fill that void with outspoken host Chris Rock, the Oscars did not rock. But they did roll along at a decent clip, emanating from a dazzling, hi-tech set (loved the overhead TV monitors).

Here are a few of our awards:

Best match of sponsor and show: TV Guide Channel's headache-inducing "Joan and Melissa Live at the Academy Awards" was sponsored by Tylenol.

It takes a village: ABC's 30-minute pre-show required four hosts.

Wait, that's not your job: "20/20" correspondent Chris Connelly gave a new definition to the role of broadcast journalist after complimenting Warren Beatty.

"You're very kind," Beatty said.

"That's what I do for a living," Connelly replied.

Fire and brimstone: " 'Passion of the Christ' is up for best makeup, and I don't know, I thought he looked a little beat up," said E! pre-Oscar co-host Kathy Griffin.

Good point: Rock encouraged film studios to wait for quality stars and not rush movies into production.

"Clint Eastwood's a star. Tobey Maguire's just a boy in tights," Rock joked.

"You want Tom Cruise and all you can get is Jude Law? Wait. You want Russell Crowe and all you can get is Colin Farrell? Wait. 'Alexander' is not 'Gladiator.'"

Rock also included himself in the ribbing.

"You want Denzel [Washington] and all you can get is me? Wait," he joked. "Denzel's a fine actor. He woulda never made 'Pootie Tang.'"

Mixed bag innovation: All the nominees in categories such as "art direction" were on stage for the announcement of the winner, making it look like a beauty pageant. Worse yet, none of the nominees in such categories are household names.

The upside: A short, time-saving walk to the microphone for the winner. Giving awards to seated nominees in the audience also saved time in some less popular categories.

Final impression: We'll take the awkwardness if it saves time.

Worst timing: An Amber Alert ran over best supporting Oscar winner Morgan Freeman's acceptance speech on WTAE, making it impossible to hear what Freeman had to say.

Obviously an Amber Alert is important to get on quickly, but the timing could have been better managed, especially since the alert had already been on the news earlier in the evening. It's particularly unfortunate coming on the heels of Channel 4 blocking subtitled dialogue during last week's "Lost" with a weather crawl. (Last night, weather information was displayed unobtrusively at the bottom of the screen without a blaring klaxon introduction.)

WTAE general manager Rick Henry said the station is obligated to air Amber Alerts within a short time of their issuance (the missing girl was returned unharmed last night not long after the alert was issued).

"We pushed the button shortly after it came in," Henry said, "which would be normal for us. We're going to put them on TV no matter what's on."

Except, perhaps, a commercial?

Best co-presenter: The animated "Incredibles" designer Edna Mode (voice of the film's director, Brad Bird) helped Pierce Brosnan give out the costume design award. Perfect choice, darling.

Best quick quip: Rock introduced British dramatic actor Jeremy Irons, calling him a "comedy superstar."

"So good to be recognized at last," Irons deadpanned.

A few minutes later a gunshot-type sound -- most likely a TV light blowing out -- could be heard.

"I hope they missed," Irons said.

Best shout-out to Teresa Heinz Kerry: Rock joked, "Oprah [Winfrey] is so rich, I saw John Kerry proposing to her just an hour ago."