This year's "In Memoriam" feature provided a sober moment in the middle of 'The 83rd Annual Academy Awards' (Sun., 8:30PM ET on ABC) to remember those in the industry who passed away last year. As Celine Dion sang 'Smile', images of editors, directors, composers, designers, publicists and producers flashed on a screen.

Tony Curtis, Gloria Stuart, Leslie Nielsen, Lynn Redgrave, Pete Postlethwaite and Dennis Hopper were among the actors honored. Halle Berry then offered a special thanks to African-Americann entertainer Lena Horne. But where were Corey Haim, Peter Graves and Betty Garrett?

One of the more distinctive American actors, Dennis Hopper, died today at the age of 74. Hopper, best known on television for his starring role in Starz 'Crash' as well as a memorable series of Nike ads, succumbed to a long battle with prostate cancer. He was at home surrounded by friends and family when he passed away early this morning.

Hopper had a long career in Hollywood since bursting on the scene in the early 1950s, part of the new generation of actors, among them Marlon Brando and James Dean, steeped in "the Method." He struggled to find his niche, but over the years Hopper made a name for himself with great roles in movies like 'Rebel Without A Cause,' 'Easy Rider,' 'Apocalypse Now,' 'Blue Velvet' and even the popcorn hit 'Speed.'

'Crash' (10PM, Starz) season 2 finale
The second season concludes with a catastrophic event, but not before a busy finale that finds Ben (Dennis Hopper) and Anthony squaring off with the Manson freaks and getting the truth about Ben's daughter, and Seth throwing a soiree to celebrate development of his city for the homeless. But it's Wendy's participation in Seth's Byzantium project that steers the season towards its cliffhanger ending, as she's scheduled to be recognized for her work until Bo pops up with plans of his own.

I posted last week about the new series Crash, premiering on Starz on Oct. 17. It's been a long time coming. I started hearing buzz about a TV series shortly after the film debuted in May, 2005, and the cast looks good (though I know some of you disagree with me).

The lineup of the ensemble drama includes Dennis Hopper, D.B. Sweeney, Ross McCall, Clare Carey, and Luis Chavez, among others. I also appreciate the fact that Paul Haggis and Don Cheadle, who worked on the film, are producing the TV series. So whatever else happens, I have to think they'll keep the integrity of the film intact.

The Crash press kit is now online, and it's interesting to watch the trailer and hark back to the movie. Some of it looks the same -- like the shot of a cop feeling up a woman -- and the racial tension is definitely in place.

I've been waiting for Crash the TV series to materialize ever since I heard about it shortly after the movie premiered in May, 2005. The Starz/Lionsgate series will feature 13 episodes with a different cast of characters from the film.

Now I have even more reason to be excited, because Tom Sizemore has joined the series in a recurring role. He'll play Detective Adrian Cooper, whose unorthodox methods cause havoc when he investigates a police-involved shooting. Sizemore joins Dennis Hopper in the series, with Paul Haggis serving as executive producer.

I've had a major crush on Sizemore since he played Sgt. Vinnie Ventresca on China Beach during the 1989-1990 season. Sure, he's had some challenging times. According to his IMDB.com page, in February, 2005, he failed a court-ordered drug test after he was caught trying to use a prosthetic penis to fake the results. And that was the second time he was caught trying that.

I think I want -- need -- to know what Jon Stewart was talking about with his audience during the Q&A. What was that business about kissing with toothpaste in his mouth? Man, if only fangirls kept track of Jon's Q&A stories as closely as the Stephen Colbert's.

"Indecision 2008": John McCain's getting a lot of attention for his attack ads against Barack Obama. The coverage will never, ever end about the celebrity ad, because people love talking about Paris, Britney, and Barack, no matter how much they deny it. Talk about over-analyzing this nonsense. There's no doubting that race is an issue in this... race, but the media is definitely reading too much into the small stuff.

Dennis Hopper is set to star in the new original series Crash, produced by Starz and Lionsgate. This is the first drama series for the network. Based on the Academy Award-winning movie, Crash has begun filming in New Mexico and Los Angeles. Sanford Bookstaver (Jericho, Bones, The O.C.) will direct the premiere episode.

According to the press release, the show "will continue to focus on an ensemble cast of characters" and "will explore the complexities of social tolerance in contemporary America by digging at the meaning of what it takes to reach the American dream." Hopper will play Ben, a veteran, maverick producer in the music biz who is looking for his last big score. Other stars include Clare Carey, Luis Chavez, Ross McCall, Jocko Sims, Brian Tee, and Arlene Tur. Crash will come to Starz in October.

Watch your backs, HBO and Showtime! This show looks good. And Paul Haggis is on the team of executive producers. He didn't just give us Crash. He gave us thirtysomething and The Black Donnellys. Don't mess with the Hag.

I can't be the only one that sometimes suffers an attack of sticker shock when shopping for TV on DVD. Farscape and The Sopranos, well... anything by HBO for that matter, come to mind. So I was thrilled to find, while walking through my local Half Price Books, the TV Time Comedy Collection.

This 12 disk set contains The Andy Griffith Show (16 eps), Hal Roach's Rascals (9 eps), Dick Van Dyke (6 eps), Petticoat Junction (4 eps), The Lucy Show (19 eps), The Beverly Hillbillies (20 eps), Ozzie and Harriet (18 eps), Burns and Allen (10 eps), and the Rescue From Gilligan's Island movie. All for the low low price of $9.98, new in box. It's a fun collection. While I wouldn't be in the market for season sets of any of these shows, with the possible exception of Dick Van Dyke, it's nice to have them around when the networks go all repeat on us. And finding a twenty-something Dennis Hopper guest starring as a beatnik poet on an obscure Petticoat Junction episode makes it funny in a whole new way.

Unfortunately, I can't seem to track down this exact set anywhere online. Amazon does have a similar set from the same company with a slightly different mix of episodes, and minus the Gilligan movie, new for $23.99, and used for $10.97. Still not a bad deal.