manic flip-flop runner and father in deep crisis perhaps facing a serious challenge from jean dujardin, very dashing, very funny, and very quiet in the artist. this french actor that nobody had ever heard of, he s been winning a lot of awards. so i think that s the biggest race. i just want to see him. george is extremely well liked, and like it or not, that actually can matter. reporter: meryl in peril. i have done battle. reporter: great as she is in the iron lady, she might walk another streep of broken dreams at this year s show. for while master oscar mogul harvey weinstein beats the best actress drum on her behalf, the exquisite viola davis remains the slight betting choice for the help. it is important. reporter: crystal meth-od. gallantly stepping into the host s role after original host eddie murphy s not exactly untimed departure, billy crystal s been keeping his comic plans for oscar night on the down low thus far.