The way that Colin Firth thanked the writer first, and then the director for his work interpreting the script, was absolutely revelatory. "Holy crap," I thought, "there are actually people who see it that way!" Maybe it's because he's English, but it was amazingly smart and classy nonetheless.

Here, here.

By the way, Portman thanked Luc Besson, writer/director of The Professional, for hiring her when she was 11.

Thanks, Francisco. I'll edit the OP to correct that.

Scott:

I think one of the biggest obstacles in gaining recognition as a screenwriter has to be sharing writing credit. Maybe those actors felt there were so many names it would sound ridiculous. Whatcha think?

@Unorthodox: My argument there is if they can remember all the producers names -- and there are more producer credits by far on movies than writing credits -- then why not writers? Or if it's too hard, then a simple, "And thanks to the screenwriters," no names mentioned.

"The play's the thing"
English guy wrote that.
It's where we come from - so no suprise that Mr Firth et al remembered...

I wonder if God felt a bit left out as well this year.