If Dennis Miller can endure a weekly chat with “Officer O’Reilly,” how much trouble could a humble film critic give him?

The aforementioned Mr. Miller has invited WWTW to talk Oscars on Friday’s edition (March 5) of his nationally syndicated radio show.

Which actors are clearing space on their mantles for a shiny new statuette? Will the expanded Best Picture category mean another hour added to the behemoth telecast?

And can Alec Baldwin avoid melting down long enough to serve up one liners alongside comic ace Steve Martin?

Tune in tomorrow for those answers … and hopefully a bit more.

Update: Let’s go to the audio tape (or file)

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My occasional appearances on “The Dennis Miller Show” have taught me one thing about the avuncular Mr. Miller – the man loves his movies.

So it’s more than fitting that Turner Classic Movies (TCM) tabbed the Emmy-winning comedian to be its guest programmer for October.

Miller, who currently hosts a nationally syndicated radio show, will join TCM Host Robert Osborne in presenting four films Oct. 21.

Each month, TCM invites a celebrity to pick a few of his or her favorite films to introduce on the cable channel and, more importantly, share personal connections to the movies in question.

Other guest programmers will include Richard Lewis (Sept. 21), Sir Anthony Hopkins (Nov. 30) and singer Neko Case (Dec. 8).

Miller’s films include William Wyler’s “Dodsworth” (1936), Carol Reed’s “The Third Man” (1949), Alfred Hitchcock’s “Suspicion” (1941) and “Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House” (1948).

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This film blogger is a frustrated radio talk show host just waiting for a gig.

You mean they don’t give everyone a talk show these days?

Fortunately, some online pals of WWTW invited me to participate in a pair of podcasts over the weekend. So if you have a few minutes to spare check out “The Ben and Joel Podcast” and “Radio Free Threedonia.”

Expect talk about the latest summer movies and ABC’s rare entry into liberal mockery – “The Goode Family.”

UPDATE: WWTW will be on “The Dennis Miller Show” tomorrow (June 4) to update listeners on the latest summer movies.

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Wanna hear two movie lovers rant about the Oscars?

Check out “The Dennis Miller Show” Monday to hear my postmortem on the Oscar telecast with the aforementioned Mr. Miller. Check your local listings for the station and time Miller’s syndicated show airs in your neck of the woods.

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The Best Friend character is crucial to any self-respecting rom-com. He/she is the guy/gal our leads need to figure out they’re really in love.

In “What Happens in Vegas,” now out on DVD, the Best Friends do something more – they save the movie from disaster.

“Vegas” stars Ashton Kutcher and Cameron Diaz as a couple who meet, get drunk and find themselves hitched after one bleary-eyed night in Sin City. Before they agree to an annulment, they hit the jackpot – $3 million bucks courtesy of a slot machine.

But when they try to get legally split, a persnickety judge (Dennis Miller) forces them to live as man and wife for six months. Why? Because the judge is sick of these quickie marriages, and a film like this needs an extra layer of gimmickry to exist.

So our pretty leads do their best “War of the Roses” impersonation so that the other will bow out of the marriage first – and give up rights to the three mil.

Diaz and Kutcher create a laugh-free zone in this decidedly unpleasant rom-com, but their best pals serve up plenty of good cheer. Rob Corddry, so painful in the new “Harold & Kumar” feature, is a hoot as Kutcher’s best bud. And Diaz’s faithful friend, Lake Bell, is nearly as good. Their behind-the-scenes machinations give “What Happens in Vegas” some sinfully funny moments. And stick around during the credits to get a visual definition of the phrase “junk punch.”

Other bit players also distract us from the Kutcher/Diaz pairing. Miller’s character delivers a moment of zen in this otherwise frantic comedy, serving up some terrific line readings in the process.

“What Happens in Vegas” is saved from rom-com infamy thanks to the actors who don’t appear on the poster.

(Photo: Ashton Kutcher gets more than he bargained for in the comedy romance “What Happens in Vegas”)

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