A Hollywood awards show goes to the dogs

LOS ANGELES (AP) ― With Uggie stealing hearts in “The Artist,’’ snagging the spotlight at celebrity events and reportedly preparing for a sketch with Oscar host Billy Crystal, Hollywood really has gone to the dogs this year. There’s even a brand-new awards show honoring canine performers.

The first annual Golden Collar Awards drew international attention when Martin Scorsese recently published a letter in the Los Angeles Times demanding recognition for Blackie the Doberman, who appears alongside Sacha Baron Cohen in “Hugo.’’ Scorsese encouraged a write-in campaign and now “Hugo’’ adds one Golden Collar nomination to its 11 Oscar bids.

Antonio Banderas, who voiced the leading cat in the Oscar-nominated animated film “Puss in Boots,’’ followed up with his own letter in the Huffington Post, urging Hollywood to “please overcome this anti-feline-ism’’ and consider recognizing Puss with a Golden Collar nod. (No word yet whether the directors of “Kung Fu Panda 2’’ and “Rango’’ are demanding panda and lizard inclusion in the competition.)

Forget it, says Golden Collar Awards founder Alan Siskind. His show is just for live-action dogs. As creator of Dog News Daily, a website and marketing firm, Siskind came up with the idea to honor on-screen dogs in January when he noticed how many awards contenders prominently featured man’s best friend.

“It was just an excuse to have a party,’’ he said.

But Hollywood really sunk its teeth into the concept.

When Harvey Weinstein’s office got word of the Golden Collar Awards, he offered Uggie and a co-star of “The Artist,’’ actress Penelope Ann Miller, to help announce the nominees. With that starry boost, the show, like a Labrador after a tennis ball, was off and running.

Uggie is the night’s leading nominee, with nods for his work in both “The Artist’’ and “Water For Elephants.’’ Besides him and Blackie (real name: Maximilian), the other feature-film nominees are Cosmo from “Beginners,’’ Denver, who played Skeletor in “50/50’’ and Hummer, who played Dolce in “Young Adult.’’ Small-screen canine stars are also being honored.

Charlize Theron, star of “Young Adult’’ and longtime animal activist, will receive a special recognition at the Golden Collar Awards.