Michael's Preferred Nixon

The Philadelphia Daily News also noted the way Michael Douglas (or Oscar's scriptwriter) snubbed Sir Anthony:

Having previous winners laud nominees in specific categories got good reviews.

We found the approach touching in the actress categories. It didn't work quite as well for the men.

Especially when Michael Douglas repeatedly praised Frank Langella's Oscar-nominated performance as Richard Nixon in "Frost/Nixon" as having rendered all others obsolete. Anthony Hopkins, who played Nixon in Oliver Stone's 1995 bio-pic, was standing practically right next to him onstage.

Anthony Who?

Peter T. Chattaway:

It's funny to hear Michael Douglas say that Frank Langella makes all other interpretations of Richard Nixon fall away ... when Anthony Hopkins, the star of Oliver Stone's Nixon (1995), is standing right there on the stage with him.

Another Historic First

Dave Karger at EW.com:

With Frank Langella's nod for Frost/Nixon, Richard Nixon is the first president more than one man has been Oscar-nominated for playing. (Anthony Hopkins scored a nod for Nixon in 1996.)