Arguments for:
-LetΓÇÖs not waste time on the physical obvious. YouΓÇÖve seen him in a tuxedo?
-Really it should have been last year but now heΓÇÖs the reigning Best Actor and this year, during award season, heΓÇÖs in Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, and even though Gary OldmanΓÇÖs getting most of the play for the film, itΓÇÖs yet another prestige project Firth is involved with.
-He knows when to go: Colin worked hard on the campaign circuit last year, but he promised heΓÇÖd be done with it soon as it was over. This is not a famewhore. The vote wonΓÇÖt make you feel dirty.
-OMG heΓÇÖs so smart and articulate and has such a clever sense of humour and great taste in women.
-I have already started watching Love Actually since weΓÇÖre 5 weeks to Christmas.
Arguments against:
-He should have last year and didnΓÇÖt. ItΓÇÖs now a year later so ...why?
-We all know Colin Firth but does everyone KNOW Colin Firth? I donΓÇÖt know that Colin Firth is HOUSEHOLD, you know? I donΓÇÖt know that you go into the MiniVan MajorityΓÇÖs living room on a Wednesday night or whenever Dancing With The Sh-ts is on and scream COLIN FIRTH and they look away from the tv. ItΓÇÖs debatable.
-HeΓÇÖs not a famewhore, which helps but probably hurts more. Too much of a low profile. Not top of mind. By design, sure. But that doesnΓÇÖt help his chances here.
-(Do you think heΓÇÖs getting a little jowly?)
-Again, heΓÇÖs not American. If PEOPLE goes two years in a row outside the USA, heΓÇÖs definitely not at the top of the list.
Odds 20 to 1