FLASH SPECIAL: Unforgettable Oscars Performances

From later on in the same head-scrating show, here is Lucille Ball, Bob Hope and Walter Matthau among those paying tribute to young Hollywood, and the ensuing production number, "I Wanna Be An Oscar Winner", which must be seen to be believed - no, really.

Easily the most far-out Oscar performance to date is Sheena Easton leading one of the most garishly overproduced production numbers you are ever likely to see, featuring the James Bond theme from the 1981 film of the same name, "For Your Eyes Only". 3,2,1... lift off!

Enjoy Whoopi Goldberg reminding us why she is a well-deserved EGOT - Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony-winner, that is - with her "Oscar Is A Host's Best Friend" showstopper kick-off to that year's splendid show.



Angela Lansbury blows the roof off of the auditorium with her stunning rendition of "Thoroughly Modern Millie" at the 1968 Academy Awards. Spectacular, stylish and smart!



Iconic Broadway leading lady Bernadette Peters sings "Putting It Together" from SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE in this specially-penned edition of the famous Stephen Sondheim song used in a montage sequence at the 66th annual Academy Awards.



Living legend Liza Minnelli joins ARTHUR castmate Dudley Moore, along with Richard Pryor and Walter Matthau, for the sparkling, spunky, star-themed opening number of the 1983 Academy Awards. No one does it like Liza!



Music icon Diana Ross sings the most famous movie song of all time, THE WIZARD OF OZ's "Somewhere Over The Rainbow", originally introduced by Liza's mother, the one and only Judy Garland, at the 62nd annual Academy Awards.

Barbra Streisand lends her impeccable instrument to her Academy Award-winning Best Song, "Evergreen" from A STAR IS BORN, in 1977 at the 49th annual show. This Sunday will mark her first performance on the Academy Awards in almost 40 years, making it a surefire must-see moment of many.

Beyonce, Hugh Jackman and more high-wattage names join forces in the eye-popping "The Musical Is Back!" production number envisioned by Baz Luhrmann for the 2009 Oscars.

John Travolta introduces Catherine Zeta-Jones and Queen Latifah joining forces to perform the Kander & Ebb CHICAGO movie add-on, "I Move On". They, too, will be reconvening onstage on Sunday's show! But, what will they sing?

Of special interest to our discussion, Tony Award winner Marc Shaiman discusses his penchant for genius parody writing in this clip discussing his composition of specialty material for Billy Crystal at many Oscar telecasts over the years - as well as the ritzy audience's reaction to them. "A gay boy's dream," indeed!



As a special bonus, let's take some time to pay tribute to some of the finest comedic performers who have hosted the Academy Awards over the years and enjoy their sparkling opening monologues.

Bob Hope - 1955



Johnny Carson - 1980

Billy Crystal - 1990



Chris Rock - 2005



Ellen Degeneres - 2009



As a final bonus, journey back in time all the way to 1954 and view the entire Academy Awards as broadcast back then! My, how times have changed - yet, then as now, this is Hollywood's night of nights and the biggest star in town was, is an always will be Oscar.

So, who has been your personal favorite Oscar host to date? Which showstopper is the Academy Awards production that number you just can't forget? Will Seth MacFarlane manage to make a magical musical memory or two for us all come Sunday night along the lines of the many moments to treasure here - train wrecks included - in today's clip collection? Furthermore, could this year's show be the best show yet given the pedigree of the producers and announced participants, presenters and performers? Well, either way, tune in to ABC at 7 PM on Sunday to see the sights, hear the songs, and, of course, get a gander at those fabulous gowns! Oh, and there will be some awards handed out, too...