Best and Worst: Independent Spirit Awards 2011

And it’s Alex Trebek! Or at least that’s what the makers of the Indie Spirit Awards’ opening video skit would have us believe. McHale got stuck by a boulder in his dressing room and met up with the host of “Jeopardy” (a.k.a. Banksy?!?) Of course we don’t believe them. …Do we?  (Ben Hider / Getty Images)

For years, the Indie Spirits have prided themselves in their hip cachet by hosting the awards not in some stodgy auditorium, but in a cool tent on the Santa Monica beach. But after this year’s freezing temperatures, water-slicked stage and strange lack of heat it might be time to consider a new venue. Someplace where the nominees don’t have to wear scarves like best director winner Darren Aronofsky.   (Chris Pizzello / Associated Press)

The Indie Spirits did their own funny take on the standard In Memoriam montage with a rundown of all the people who could die in the coming year. The bit was hampered by sloppy directing and some not-very-funny possible deaths. But there was one that was not only funny but also plausible: “Social Network” star Jesse Eisenberg could be murdered by Michael Cera. Eisenberg didn’t look all that amused.   (Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images)

Best actress winner and mommy-to-be Natalie Portman tottering carefully across the water-slick stage in high heels. Luckily, she didn’t wipe out and delivered a nice pro-female filmmaker speech absent embarrassing guffaws.  (Chris Pizzello / Associated Press)