Final Oscar Report: 6.00am

The 73rd Annual Academy Awards finished by splitting the honours between Traffic and Gladiator. Double nominee Steven Soderbergh picked up the award for Best Director saying, 'suddenly going straight to work tomorrow doesn't seem like a good idea... I want to thank anyone who spends part of their day creating - anybody who spends part of their day sharing their experience with us. I think this world would be unbearable without art.' The biggest award of the night, Best Picture went to Gladiator. Ridley Scott declined the invitation of the film's producers to join them on stage, but was praised for his 'tireless perfectionism - you brought new meaning to the phrase, 'mad dogs and Englishmen.' And the opinion of this award-weary correspondent on the evening's entertainment? Obviously the fear of God had been put into the winners who kept their speeches blissfully short - but unfortunately also extremely bland. Without Julia Roberts mushy speech the evening would have been totally devoid of the usual Oscar fare - where was this year's Roberto Benigni, Tom Hanks or Gwyneth Paltrow. Hell, there wasn't even a streaker to liven things up. As for the choice of host... well put it this way, there'll be a few raised eyebrows if Steve Martin is invited back. Best Adapted Screenplay: Stephen Gaghan (Traffic) Best Original Screenplay: Cameron Crowe (Almost Famous) Best Director: Steven Soderbergh (Traffic) Best Picture: Gladiator