Might Oscar Frown on Downey's Arrest?

THE town is abuzz over Robert Downey Jr.'s latest arrest and has many wondering what will happen if he is nominated for an Oscar for his role in the re-released "Wonder Boys."

"There aren't any rules about that sort of situation," says Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Director of Communications John Pavlik, who cites a similar incident in 1998. "The co-director of 'The Farm: Angola USA,' Wilburt Rideaux, couldn't attend the Oscars because he was in prison, but then he wasn't an actual nominee," says Pavlik.

So if Downey is nominated while in prison, it would be a "first" for the Academy.