Make them stop … please!

As in previous years, ABC’s Oscars telecast was preceded by a Barbara Walter interview special (this year’s subjects included the Jonas Brothers, “The Wrestler” star Mickey Rourke and Oscars host Hugh Jackman) and a Red Carpet pre-show.

As big a fawn-fest as the Walters special became, it was nothing compared to “Project Runway’s” Tim Gunn and Entertainment Weekly Executive Editor Jess Cagle falling all over themselves to praise the Red Carpet arrivals. (Cagle’s glowing appraisal of a dazed-seeming Rourke was especially sickening.)

Thankfully, “Good Morning America” host Robin Roberts, a veteran interviewer and journalist, did bring some real class to the proceedings.

But still … it was nearly bad enough to make you long for last year’s Regis Philbin-hosted affair … or even the mother-daughter team of Joan Rivers and Melissa Rivers!