I’ve noticed something interesting over the past week, as I check the regular media/gossip/news outlets for leads. There are some very obviously “sponsored” pieces about Jennifer Aniston’s “Oscar hopeful” turn in Cake. Like, some of the pieces are blatantly and openly sponsored, like this piece. Then there are the going-through-the-motions stories, which obviously came from Aniston’s publicist – like this one. Why not just own it and buy a bunch of “For Your Consideration” ads, I wonder?

Anyway, Aniston would still like us to believe that she’s a major contender for a Best Actress Oscar nomination. But how far would she really go? There’s a theory – started by OK! Magazine – that Aniston is taking her Oscar campaign so seriously, she’s actually trying to “look smarter” by wearing her glasses out in public. A source told OK! Mag: “She’s truly on the campaign trail now, which is why she’s been buttoning up, choosing demure outfits and even wearing glasses.” Well… Aniston has worn glasses and contacts for years. She’s been photographed in glasses many times. But yes, it does seem like she’s been wearing her glasses more often this fall. But she’s also said that her eyesight has really gone downhill recently too, so there’s that.

Meanwhile, Star Magazine had this weird story this week:

During a recent get-together with her longtime pal, Sean Penn, and his girlfriend Charlize Theron, Jennifer Aniston was served some major drama.

On November 20, Jen met the couple at Mastro’s Steakhouse in Beverly Hills for a friendly catch-up. But after Jen and Sean began to reminisce about old times, Charlize became visibly annoyed and stormed away from the table.

“All three of them looked like they were having fun when they first sat down… they were laughing and seemed relaxed. But halfway into the dinner, you could tell Charlize started to feel left out,” a fellow diner revealed.

Eyewitnesses go on to say that after giving Sean the eveil eye, Charlize went out on the patio to talk on her phone. “The tension between Sean and Charlize was evident to the entire restaurant… after about 15 minutes, he and Jen got the check and said their goodbyes. He went and got Charlize, but they didn’t speak as they walked out.”

[From Star Magazine, print edition]

Star goes on to say that Charlize and Sean have been fighting a lot lately, blah blah blah, but who knew that Sean Penn was tight with Jennifer Aniston? I mean, he guest starred on Friends back in the day, but are they really such lifelong buds? Enough to go out to dinner together? Has Sean been Team Aniston this whole time?! As for any jealousy Charlize might have felt… eh. Charlize is friendly with Chelsea Handler. Chelsea and Jennifer are BFFs. By the rules of Hollywood, that means Charlize and Jennifer have to sort of like each other.

Photos courtesy of Fame/Flynet and WENN.