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(CNN) -- Every year, the Oscars are a parade of the best Hollywood has to offer -- an elegant display of gowns, tuxes and beautiful faces. But as much as the hundreds of millions viewers see worldwide, there's lots more that happens behind the scenes.
The planning for the ceremony begins months ahead of time, usually commenced by the choice of a producer. Joe Roth, whose credits include, "Daddy Day Care," took the helm this past year. Then the work of deciding a host begins by first asking the question, "Is Billy available?"
Then there's the presenters list, which continues to change even days prior to the awards; this year Mel Gibson bowed out at the last minute fearing jeers because of his controversial new movie, "The Passion of the Christ."
A week before the event, the five-lane street in front of the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles, California, is shut down in order to start its transformation a red carpet. All this change takes place much to the chagrin of L.A. drivers and mall store owners.
You may not know it, but the Kodak Theatre is basically an entrance to a giant shopping mall complex. This past week, as the world focused attention on this location, restaurant and shop owners complained about the lack of business because of the awards.
Celebs start flying in about a few days prior to the show, and usually they or their representative make their way to the many swag suites set up by designers. This year, we stopped by the elaborate string of suites at Le Meridian hotel at Beverly Hills.
It was quite a set-up -- a series of suites dedicated to whatever gown, jewelry or fur coat a celeb might want.
In one suite you could hear publicist Keith Kaplan singing praises that Vivica A. Fox would be wearing one of his client's furs, and about the stars outfitted with suits by his other client, Jhane Barnes.
At another suite -- as the cosmopolitans and mimosas flow -- reps for Sean Connery cruise the Taryn Rose shoes showcase. And just in case the shopping experience gets too tiring for stars, there were also free facials, massages and manicures available on site. It's good to be a celeb during the Oscars.
The red carpet gets unveiled about 36 hours before broadcast time. Hundreds of live flowers are delivered -- rented mind you -- to adorn the red carpet.
At this time as well, the vast majority of the 1,200 accredited media members take their positions. For some reason there was an unusually large contingency from New Zealand. Hmm ... I wonder why?!
At the head of the carpet, what may appear to viewers as a beautiful red-covered tent that acts as a grand entrance for the stars is basically a nicely dressed metal detector. Even the stars must go through security.
As the show begins, workers immediately begin dismantling the red carpet. By the time the show is over four hours later, the street is already back to its old congested form, sans red carpet.
