Spiceless Oscars

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Updated: August 4, 2011 4:20PM

STELLA’S SPOTLIGHT

I WATCHED THE 83rd Annual Academy Awards show Sunday night and for the most part it was mildly entertaining. The Oscar shows definitely work better with comics delivering lines than just ordinary actors. The show lacked spice, excitement and laughs. Co-host/fashionista Anne Hathaway was charming, and her changing into fabulous gowns throughout the show added some flavor to the evening and gave viewers something to look forward to, especially since there were no real jokes.

Her co-host, actor James Franco, shouldn’t plan on being asked to host again. He was disappointingly dull. Halle Berry, Jennifer Hudson, Sandra Bullock, Penelope Cruz, Gwyneth Paltrow and new Oscar winner Natalie Portman all looked especially beautiful. However, Cate Blanchett must have been dressed by Stevie Wonder and Jose Feliciano. Her dress was waaay too ugly to be on any carpet. . . . let alone a red one.

LOCAL SOCIETY writer Irene Michaels attended the Harvey Weinstein pre-Oscar party at the private Soho House where Colin Firth, who won for best actor for “The King’s Speech,” and the movie’s cast were partying the night before the Oscars. Weinstein’s company distributed the film. Michaels claims “Colin only took a picture with me . . . no one else!” (That’s hard to believe!) Jennifer Lopez, Renee Zellweger, Leonardo DiCaprio and Chicago’s Scott Goodrich and Chris Tomes were also in the crowd.

WHAT’S REALLY AILING Allison Payne?

I was shocked and saddened to hear this news because I so hoped she was finally feeling great and healthy enough to get back to her longtime job of anchoring the news as she has done so brilliantly for the past 20 years.

I called Payne and told her that it is time to let her viewers and fans know exactly what her medical issues are because she has spent so much time off the air, and all sorts of rumors have been circulating about her health. I felt that being straightforward would put all those rumors to rest. With that said, here is her response:

“When I went last Thursday (Feb. 17) for my voice check at the station, I didn’t realize that I was having a stroke-related episode. That’s how the doctor described it. I could not speak without stumbling. That’s how it felt to me. But really I was slurring my words. My wonderful news director, Greg Caputo, recognized it, and had a news crew rush me to the emergency room. As I told you last, I was supposed to tape “People to People,” so Gloria Brown (the show’s producer) quickly joined me at Illinois Masonic hospital.

“The doctors ordered a CAT scan and an MRI. Nothing major turned up on the tests, but the doctor concluded it was a stroke-related episode. So, I was sent back home on sick leave with no indication of when I can return to work.

“I have a couple of genetic blood disorders — a protein S deficiency and Factor 5 leyden. Both can cause blood-clotting and strokes. My mother, Kathryn Payne, died of a blood clot at the age of 37.

“I didn’t learn of my protein S deficiency until last year when I was hospitalized at Illinois Masonic for three blood clots in my abdomen. It was so painful that I agreed to go on blood thinners. But the blood thinners may have caused the hemorrhage on my vocal cord. But I realize, despite the side effects, the blood thinner is vital in treating my condition.

“Anyway, this past Wednesday (Feb. 23) at my home, I couldn’t talk and I could not write. I have been diagnosed as having TIAs, commonly called ministrokes, of which I have had several. This brings back painful memories of my mother’s tragic death, but hopefully my full disclosure puts to rest all of the rumors about what’s wrong with Allison Payne. And thank you, Stella, for giving me the opportunity to tell my story.”

No, thank you, Allison, for having the courage to tell it!

CONDOLENCES to V-103 radio host, Joe Soto, and family on the death of his mom, Ramona Soto, after a long illness. Visitation is on Thursday at Parkside Chapels with mass on Friday at the Epiphany Church.

BIRTHDAYS: CNN’s Don Lemon. On Wednesday: WFLD-Channel 32’s Joanie Lum, Jon Bon Jovi, Marion Durpetti, Robert Falls and Frank Penning.

Well, that’s Stella in the City!