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<i>By Denise Martin, Brill Bundy and Hanh Nguyen</i><br>
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Although he ended his speech preaching to the choir about California's Prop. 8, best actor winner Sean Penn started off with a cheerful greeting to "You Commie, homo-loving sons-of-a-gun" and acknowledged that "I know how hard I make it to appreciate me ... often." Graciously welcoming fellow nominee Mickey Rourke "back into the ring" only added to the impression that Jeff Spicoli might be mellowing. It's about time.<br>
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<b>Related: <a href="http://theenvelope.latimes.com/awards/oscars/la-et-oscar23-2009feb23,0,6927250.story">'Slumdog' strikes it rich with 8 Oscar wins</a></b><br>
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<b>Related:</b> <a href="http://theenvelope.latimes.com/news/env-2009-oscar-scorecard-html,0,1431595.htmlstory"><b>2009 Oscar scorecard</b></a><br>
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<b>Related: <a href="http://theenvelope.latimes.com/galleries/photo/oscars/env-arrivals-oscar-2009-pg,0,631514.photogallery">Gallery: Oscar arrivals</a></b><br>
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<b>Related: <a href="http://theenvelope.latimes.com/awards/oscars/env-best-worst-oscars-2009-pg,0,6012367.photogallery">Gallery: Best & Worst: Oscars 2009</a></b><br>
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<b>Related: <a href="http://theenvelope.latimes.com/awards/oscars/env-rcr-oscars-2009-pg,0,6668691.photogallery">Gallery: Red Carpet Rewind: Oscars 2009</a></b><br>
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<b>Related: <a href="http://theenvelope.latimes.com/awards/oscars/la-et-oscarreview23-2009feb23,0,5636262.story">Review: The Oscars show itself was puttin' on the fritz</a></b><br>
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<b>Related: <a href="http://theenvelope.latimes.com/awards/oscars/la-et-oscarwinners24-2009feb23,0,3926607.story">'Slumdog,' Winslet and Penn: No surprises at the Kodak</a></b><br>
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<b>Related: <a href="http://theenvelope.latimes.com/awards/oscars/la-et-oscarledger23-2009feb23,0,5458027.story">For Heath Ledger, a bittersweet salute</a></b><br>
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<b>Related: <a href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/the_big_picture/2009/02/the-oscars-not.html">Big Picture: Not exactly an enchanted evening</a></b>

The funniest he's been since 'Shanghai Surprise'

( Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times )

By Denise Martin, Brill Bundy and Hanh Nguyen

Although he ended his speech preaching to the choir about California's Prop. 8, best actor winner Sean Penn started off with a cheerful greeting to "You Commie, homo-loving sons-of-a-gun" and acknowledged that "I know how hard I make it to appreciate me ... often." Graciously welcoming fellow nominee Mickey Rourke "back into the ring" only added to the impression that Jeff Spicoli might be mellowing. It's about time.

Related: 'Slumdog' strikes it rich with 8 Oscar wins

Related: 2009 Oscar scorecard

Related: Gallery: Oscar arrivals

Related: Gallery: Best & Worst: Oscars 2009

Related: Gallery: Red Carpet Rewind: Oscars 2009

Related: Review: The Oscars show itself was puttin' on the fritz

Related: 'Slumdog,' Winslet and Penn: No surprises at the Kodak

Related: For Heath Ledger, a bittersweet salute

Related: Big Picture: Not exactly an enchanted evening