AND THE FANS SAY ... 'ARGO'

The Associated Press

However it fared with Academy voters, the clear fan favorite among those in the Oscar bleachers was "Argo."

The bleacher crowd forced actor-director Ben Affleck to stop an interview with their loud chants of "Ben! Ben! Ben!"

They gave the film's producer, George Clooney, similar treatment and lavished applause on supporting actor nominee Alan Arkin.

Perhaps the best sign of fans' love for the CIA thriller was when the group was polled for its choice for best picture winner before any actors hit the red carpet.

While the chants were spirited for "Les Miserables" and some other films, they were clearly loudest for "Argo."

— Anthony McCartney — Twitter http://twitter.com/mccartneyAP

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EDITOR'S NOTE — Show Bits brings you the 85th annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles through the eyes of Associated Press journalists. Follow them on Twitter where available with the handles listed after each item.