Oscar 2012 moments that stole the show

The 84th Annual Academy Awards did not spring any surprises in the red carpet fashion and winners' departments but it did have quite a few show-stealing moments.

Here's looking at some of the high points in the ceremony!

Billy Crystal's opening act

Actor Billy Crystal, who was hosting the academy awards for the ninth time -- his last one was in 2004 -- was expected to give a great performance, given his impressive hosting track record.

Tina Fey and the likes said they expected a musical, fun-filled time and that's what they got when it finally started. Crystal's opening montage, taken from several nominated films including The Help, Bridesmaids and The Descendants generated quite a few laughs.

In his opening speech, the host quipped, 'Nothing takes the sting out of world's problems like watching millionaires give each other golden statues.'

It's ironical too as the Kodak Theatre, that's been home to the ceremony since it opened in 2002, recently filed for bankruptcy.

Following much brouhaha over the Academy barring Sacha Baron Cohen from appearing as the character from his upcoming film, The Dictator, the organisers relented and we got to saw the actor in uniform as Admiral Gen Shabazz Aladeen, flanked by two leggy 'bodyguards'.

He completed the look by carrying an urn with the recently deceased North Korean dictator Kim Jong-il's photograph on it.

It 'carried his ashes' which Cohen later spilled over the red carpet and even on Ryan Seacrest. Cohen eventually had to be escorted out from the red carpet.

As an overwhelmed Octavia Spencer received her Best Supporting Actress trophy for her outstanding role in The Help, it was touching to see Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie give her a standing ovation.

Spencer was teary-eyed and elated to have received the award and later joined co-star Viola Davis off stage.

In a section called 'What Are They Thinking', host Billy Crystal said out loud what was apparently on several Hollywood star' minds as the camera focused on them.

About Brad Pitt, he said, 'I don't know how I'm going to attend this, I have six parent-teacher meetings to attend tomorrow morning.'

Then the spotlight fell on The Artist's dog Uggie. As he barked, Billy remarked, 'If I had him, I'd lick him!'

Rooney Mara had everyone guessing what she'd wear for the red carpet and wowed in a Givenchy gown.

So did Gwyneth Paltrow and Penelope Cruz.

Fashion guru Tim Gunn raved about their red carpet styles ahead of the ceremony.

Emma Stone was a huge hit on the red carpet and on stage as she presented an award with Ben Stiller.

The actress, who starred in The Help as Eugenia 'Skeeter' Phelan, did a stupendous job with her little act of a starry-eyed Oscar first timer.

Here's hoping we get to see her host the ceremony soon!

Three-time Best Actress Oscar winner Meryl Streep said out loud what most of us were thinking, 'When they called my name, I had this feeling I could hear half of America going, 'Oh no! Oh come on, why her? Again!'

In her speech, she also thanked her makeup artist J Roy Helland -- who'd earlier won the Oscar for The Iron Lady -- and revealed that he'd been working with her for the last 37 years!

Best Actor winner Jean Dujardin was at his charming best.

When asked what he likes best about the USA, he said, 'The fact that you can take a turn at a red signal and cinnamon rolls.'

Later, during his acceptance speech, he exclaimed, 'I love your country!'

Scorchers Jeniffer Lopez and Cameron Diaz were at their sexiest best as they appeared on stage to present an award.

Wonder if viewers noticed who won the award!

Also, some declared Angelina Jolie's skin-show a little too much while others looked hard for a baby bump. She's pregnant with twins, according to reports.