[IMG:L]Why the relentlessly cordial atmosphere at the many celeb-filled dinners, soirees, teas and parties before tonight’s Emmy show? Because no one’s yet lost in the major award categories. Yet there are already a handful of winners on hand, including Elaine Stritch, Stanley Tucci, Kathy Griffin, Leslie Caron and John Goodman, who picked up Creative Emmy awards last weekend.
But where is Goodman? Why wasn’t he the giant of party boys during the past few days?
“That was his first win in 10 nominations but he was shooting in Berlin and couldn’t be in town for the awards or my party,” lamented talent agency honcho Bob Gersh, who threw a private dinner on Friday at The Sunset Tower Hotel for Gersh Agency nominees because “they aren’t frazzled yet.” “But he’ll be at the awards on Sunday, where I’m putting my money on Ugly Betty.”
Other potential Emmy winners in the Gersh stable–Debra Messing, T.R. Knight, Elizabeth Perkins, Judith Light and Kate Burton among them–made a splash at the poolside party co-hosted by celeb hairstylist Frédéric Fekkai, who just opened a salon he calls “a real bijou” on Melrose Place. Was everyone chitchatting about Goodman’s absence (who knew 11 was a lucky number?), the glory of being nominated or pre-show nerves? Nope. Clothes and sprucing up were the hot cocktail topic.
“I’ve got to be head-to-toe perfect so it’s been hair cutting, hair coloring, eyebrow plucking, manicure, pedicure, dress picking and selecting jewelry and shoes,” said Messing, wearing a breezy hippy costume she borrowed/stole from Starter Wife. “I didn’t want to work at all after Will & Grace and getting my first nomination outside the comedy category is cause for a big celebration.”
A woman claiming to be a real-life starter wife approached Messing just before the party and proclaimed, “You got the role just right!” Meanwhile, many guests–including Eric Dane, Rebecca Gayheart, Kim Delaney, Joel McHale, Jennifer Finnigan, Mary Kay Place, Jeanne Tripplehorn and Joely Fisher–wondered if they might make a sequel now that Gigi Levangie has more stories to tell and sell.
The wardrobe and pampering requirements didn’t just preoccupy women.
“These formal events are always a little stressful and anytime I have to dress up it’s outside my comfort zone,” said Knight, claiming the Isaiah Washington controversy is “behind me and it’s all good on the set.” But it’s okay as long as I remember my cufflinks. Unfortunately I often forget them and have to use paper clips or safety pins.”
[IMG:R]Knight, still a relative newcomer to the award biz, was slightly upset when he heard that nominees William Shatner and Neil Patrick Harris had calmed their nerves by getting facials, shaves and massage treatments at the Lab Series spa. Next time he’ll know.
The buzz at the party didn’t just concern the Emmys. Lots of people asked Sonya Walger, who’s in HBO’s Tell Me You Love Me, about the prolific amount of sex on the show. Or actually about getting beyond the prolific amount of sex on the show.
“I don’t mind if people are watching because of the graphic sex but I swear that it’s the writing, the acting and the story line that will keep them there after the third episode,” Walger explained. “The series will provoke thought once people see beyond the sex.”
Yeah, right.
Tea Vee
It was too hot for sex, or even speculation about sex, during the British Academy of Film & Television Arts/Los Angeles (BAFTA/LA) tea party on the sunny grounds of Wattles Mansion on Saturday afternoon.
Although most well-known British Emmy nominees–including Minnie Driver, Helen Mirren, Hugh Laurie, Ricky Gervais and Samantha Morton–were no shows, guests flocked to meet a celebrity psychic named Natalie.
Natalie created a longer line than the fish and chips stand or the section with Jo Malone fragrances, where you could find Eva LaRue and AJ Cook checking out samples. Her only real competition was a display of teapots decorated by Simon Cowell, Kiefer Sutherland, Bill Paxton, Jason Lee and the casts of The L Word and Brothers and Sisters. Want one? Online bidding is underway at charityfolks.com until September 28.
But not everyone in the crowd–which included Joely Richardson, Nigel Lythgoe, Lisa Edelstein, Ashley Jensen, Fionnula Flanagan, Brian Cox, Evan Handler, Cat Deeley, Saffron Burrows and Boston Legal’s Christian Clemenson–wanted to have their fortunes told.
“I’m here tonight as Hugh Laurie in drag and he’d go crazy if I went to a psychic to see if he or House are going to win an Emmy,” said House co-star Edelstein. “What if it’s bad news and she’s wrong? Or what if it’s good news and she’s wrong? I’ll let things unfold naturally.”
Jensen, who co-stars with Gervais on Extras and is also in Ugly Betty, was too relaxed to see a psychic.
“I’m in two great shows and not being nominated myself means there’s no pressure and I don’t have to worry about what I wear or say,” said Jensen. “Besides he’s already a demigod our Ricky and I don’t want to know if he’s going to win and become a full god.”
[IMG:L]Others already know the future.
“Fuck the psychic, I already know I won,” said Elaine Strich, who picked up a “creative” award for her guest appearance in 30 Rock. “Actually winning before the main event is a little disappointing. I miss the tension and would have preferred to win on live TV.”
Who did Natalie predict will take home the Emmys? Watch this space.
