In a year highlighted by a greedy oil man, some long-lost lovers, a pregnant teen with an unparalleled vocabulary, George Clooney kicking ass and taking names and a chilling, unprecedented performance by Spanish actor Javier Bardem, this season’s awards features a number of worthy winners.

While some categories have obvious frontrunners, the majority is a toss-up, with at least a few viable candidates in each category. In addition, with every awards show having its fair share of suprise winners-see Herbie Hancock from the 2008 Grammy Awards-the golden statues are anyone’s for the taking.

This year’s Academy Awards has not been without its fair share of controversy, however.

Because the Writers Guild of America’s strike came to an end on Feb. 12, the 80th annual Academy Awards will be one of the few awards shows this season to take place-and the awards show that almost wasn’t. Many actors, having pledged their allegiance to the Writers Guild, vowed not to attend the awards if a settlement between the writers and the networks was not reached.

The Oscars, usually a gala of dresses, diamonds, fame and fabulousness, could have been nothing more than Queen Latifah on an empty sound stage reading off the winners, a la this year’s People’s Choice Awards. Many feared that the awards would be nothing more than a glorified press conference, without the usual glitz and glam. With the strike over and a settlement in place, however, that fear seems to have gone to the wayside, and the show will go on as planned.

Live from the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, the awards will be hosted by Jon Stewart (“The Daily Show with Jon Stewart”).

The show will air nationally on Sunday, Feb. 24, at 7 p.m. on ABC.