The red carpet: Stars shine, Joan Rivers dimmed.

Byline: Hanh Nguyen

LOS ANGELES _ This year's Oscar red carpet, the ultimate in frivolous Hollywood traditions, promised to be one of the best ever in terms of fashion and flubs. The lead and supporting actress nominees alone _ including Elle's most stylish actress winner, Cate Blanchett _ sent flashbulbs a-popping, while the men proved to be no slouches either.

Accosting the celebs along the crimson pathway was Joan Rivers, now courtesy of the TV Guide channel, after being usurped from her usual slot on E! by Star Jones Reynolds. Rivers and her daughter Melissa were also carrying the much-ballyhooed diamond and ruby-encrusted microphones, valued at $1 million each.

Before the celebs actually arrived, the Rivers duo tried to fill time by handing out "commemorative" …