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Final preparations for Sunday's Oscar telecast include today's crucial run-throughs for the show's elaborate set pieces aimed at minimizing the chances of a misfire in front of a live, worldwide audience of tens of millions of viewers. At left, one of the Academy's celebrated Gay Cowboy Dancers escorts the critical prop for the presentation of the nominees for Best Original Score, during which a seven-foot Oscar (covered in a giant prophylactic as a concession to the safe sex lobby) will be inserted into the thirty-foot statue at center stage as the orchestra recreates the opening strains of Gustavo Santaolalla's haunting Brokeback Mountain theme.

[We really wish you were here at Defamer HQ with us to enjoy the shower of colorful balloons falling from the ceiling, joyously celebrating our 1,000th Brokeback joke. It's quite festive.]

[Photo: AP via Yahoo]