This year's (01) OSCARS preparations are being threatened by power blackouts in Los Angeles.

Hollywood woke up to a stage two energy alert this morning (20MAR01), with a stage three emergency likely to follow - causing deep concern among hairstylists and fashion experts setting up base at Beverly Hills' top hotels to get ready for Sunday's (25MAR01) ACADEMY AWARDS.

HELENA RUBENSTEIN's HEATHER CANAVAN says, "Why Oscar week? I just don't understand it." TED KRUCKEL, a publicist for jewellers VAN CLEEF & ARPELS, has set up a base at the upscale RAFFLES L'ERMITAGE hotel. He says, "We've got hundreds of thousands of dollars wrapped up in this." (KL/LADN/KW)

Source: WENN