video transcript

Actress Whoopi Goldberg helped the Academy kick off their fifth annual "Meet the Oscars" event in New York. The exhibit gives fans a chance to have a personal experience with an Oscar statuette. British tourist Maria Roberts was shocked by the weight of the award. (SOUNDBITE) Maria Roberts, tourist, saying (English): "A lot heavier, really, really heavy then I thought it would be, yea." For Goldberg winning an Oscar is like none other. (SOUNDBITE) Whoopi Goldberg, actress, saying (English): "Iit doesn't get better than Oscar. And if you get one, you're lucky enough to get one it's pretty good." This explains why she was upset after her Oscar win was not mentioned in a New York Times article about African-American Academy winners. (SOUNDBITE) Whoopi Goldberg, actress, saying (English): "If you're going to talk about it, then talk about it, don't sort of talk around it, that was my point." In 2000 55 Oscar statuettes were stolen while being transported to Los Angeles. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences New York Program director Patrick Harrison says another disappearing act is highly unlikely. (SOUNDBITE) Patrick Harrison, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences New York Program, saying (English): "These Oscars are under lock and key, that was a very interesting part of our history where a supply of Oscars were you know, side-tracked and went a different direction. But we have systems in place now so we won't be stuck like that again." And Goldberg is doing everything she can to avoid her Oscar from being stolen. (SOUNDBITE) Whoopi Goldberg, actress, saying (English): "If you tell people where it is and they break into your house they'll find it, so it's at my house." The free public viewing will be open until February 27. Alicia Powell, Reuters.