LOCAL NEWS:

Pilot 'lucky' after dramatic Lynden plane crash

KEYWORD:

A   A   A

Posted: Wednesday, 20 February 2013 4:53AM

Oscar 'losers' to go home with $45,000 gift bags



LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Oscar nominees who don't end up with a coveted gold statuette at the Academy Awards on Sunday won't go home empty handed after all.

Los Angeles-based marketing firm Distinctive Assets will be handing out its annual "Everyone Wins at the Oscars Nominee Gift Bag", valued at more than $45,000, to the talented and well-dressed "losers," the company said on Tuesday.

Among the items in the gift bags, known as swag bags, are trips to Australia, Hawaii and Mexico, personal training sessions, condoms, a bottle of tequila, hand-illustrated tennis shoes, appointments for injectable fillers and 'portion-controlled' dinnerware for those watching their figure, Distinctive Assets said in a statement.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which hands out the Oscars, stopped its practice of giving gift baskets to presenters and performers in 2007 after the practice came under closer scrutiny from U.S. tax authorities.

Celebrities who receive gifts and free trips at awards shows are expected to declare them to the Inland Revenue Service as income and pay the appropriate taxes.

The Distinctive Assets gift bag is not endorsed by the Academy but has been creating consolation goodie bags for 11 years now. The bags are delivered to the losing nominees to their homes directly or through their agents or publicists.

This year's "Not Everyone Wins...." swag bag also includes an under-the-counter water filtration system, acupuncture and aromatherapy sessions, a one-week stay at a fitness and weight-loss retreat, and a one-year membership to London's Heathrow Airport's private VIP service.

Nominees' children also benefit: they get to enroll in professional all-kid circus classes.

The Academy Awards, the highest honors in the movie business, will be handed out a ceremony on Sunday in Hollywood.

Story Copyright 2012, Reuters
Photo Copyright 2012, Getty Images

Beyonce is pregnant with second child: report


Beyonce and husband Jay-Z are indeed expecting, according to reports.

Troubled 'Terminator' star arrested again


Edward Furlong has been arrested again after allegedly breaking a restraining order.

Soul singer Candice Glover wins 'American Idol'


Candice Glover, a soul singer from rural South Carolina, was named "American Idol."

Steve Carell helps 'The Office' close its doors


The doors of Dunder Mifflin's Scranton branch closed for the last time.

Sony to make 'Angry Birds' movie in 3D


The popular video game "Angry Birds" is jumping off smart phones and onto the big screen.

Shakira will leave NBC's 'The Voice' after season


Shakira will leave NBC's "The Voice" after only one season as a judge.

Country, soul singers battle in all-female 'American Idol' finale


Candice Glover vied with Kree Harrison in an all-female finale of "American Idol."

Christina Aguilera to return to 'The Voice?'


Christina Aguilera is in discussions to return as a judge on "The Voice."

Bill Hader to leave NBC's 'Saturday Night Live'


"Saturday Night Live" star Bill Hader will be leaving the show.

Pregnant? Beyonce cancels concert, fuels rumors


Beyonce has fuelled speculation she is pregnant again.

Mel Brooks: 'I'm finally getting recognized as a good director'


"Nobody ever, in the press or anywhere, said I was a good director."

Angelina Jolie undergoes double mastectomy


Angelina Jolie has had a double mastectomy to reduce her chances of getting breast cancer.

TV psychologist Joyce Brothers dies at age 85


TV psychologist Joyce Brothers has died, her publicist said. She was 85.

'24' to return to Fox for 12 episodes


Everyone's favorite counter-terrorist agent, Jack Bauer, will return.

Renewed or canceled? A fall TV preview


How did your shows fare? We've got the list of the renewed and canceled shows.