JLY's speech really sounded fake but I can't blame him. He probably was very nervous and he ended up looking robotic in his thanks.
I can't comment on LaChanze because I too was really bummed that she won. I thought they'd have a chance with the featured actresses but I never thought she could beat Chita, Patti or even Sutton. I blanked out most of what she said. I don't think she was 'paid' to thank Oprah though... lol..; can you imagine it? "We bought your win so it's in the bag and here's another fifty bucks to thank the big O"? nah... sounds stupid even for Oprah.
Julia was well... Julia in all her glory. I thought her comment was a little snarky. If she had showed up on the red carpet like all the presenters and actors... MAYBE there wouldn't have been this 'oh well... I'm way more famous than you but YOU are so talented I can't get a nomination... must suck, uh?' color to the thing for me but I don't know.
She just HAD to say something. She couldn't do her stuff like the other presenters, she HAD to try and be special. poor Julia.
Prince sounded like a jerk. I don't know if he was offended he got the lifetime award like he wasn't going to do anything more or what but his speech was cold!
"What book of rules says that theatre exists only within some ugly buildings crowded into one square-mile of New York City? Wherever there's magic and make-believe and an audience, there's theatre..."