All Access Pass to the Emmys

When you get an All-Access pass to the Emmys, your heart skips a beat. You not only have a credential, but you receive a hologram sticker on the front of it to signify a few things: a) you don't have to go thru security b) you can roam ANYWHERE (see above photo), c) no one will take a 2nd glance at you if you're taking random photos of Jon Hamm as he types on his blackberry (again, see photo).

My weekend was the Emmys. From the rehearsals, to the press tent, to the red carpet, to sipping champagne downstairs in a secret area of the Nokia Theatre, to the production truck during the show, to wandering the theatre as guests piled in, to cap the night off with The Governor's Ball, it was a whirlwind. A whirlwind that I will never forget.

Let's get this out of the way, first, however. I know many people did not like the show. I'm a bit biased since I worked on it, however, I get it. The hosts didn't work. You can't really predict how previously assumed good ideas will pan out live on a 3 hour (or so) awards show. A few of their careers might be over (you know you hate yourself when you have to apologize for the night, Jeff Probst), but Heidi was adorable and sincere and just plain cool, as was Tom Bergeron. Having been to a few awards rehearsals by now, you can always tell who the good people are. aka the people who act as if the stand-ins are people too, and they play along. When they were rehearsing the reality show hosts award with Jimmy Kimmel, someone had to stand-in for Ryan because of the Red Carpet. Heidi played along, kissed the guy's cheek, and just seemed very genuine. If you want more info than that about the show itself, you're going to have to wring it out of me because there are a lot of politics I can't even touch upon at this time. I will say this, though. My opinion of Ryan has quickly changed from when I met him at New Year's Rockin Eve.

The red carpet. At first, I was nervous. I had walked on one before, but never DURING a red carpet show; usually before all the craziness occurs. This time around, though, I had my good friend Lauren and the Lippin Group to show me around. And by show me around, I mean yell over people while trying to dodge Mariska Hargitay's husband, while hearing that Mary Tyler Moore had JUST FALLEN ON THE RED CARPET (try to imagine that right now. seriously, close your eyes and imagine that legend, MTM, falling on the red carpet in front of all of her peers with a million cameras around, yet somehow no one got a photo. that's stupefying).

Speaking of MTM, Betty White and her were SO CUTE. When going over their presentation, they would continue to play off each other back and forth like old pros. Although we never know who wins until everyone else does, production always practices the winner to get the correct camera angles and such, so during rehearsals when Entourage "won", Betty quipped "drat, I was hoping for Two and a Half Men".

Some other sidenotes, I got to witness Alec Baldwin put the smackdown on a reporter when asked if he thought his personal life would get in the way of his career by stating something along the lines of "well, I think this Emmy signifies that that's a no, but if you'd like to speak about my personal life, I'd love to chat with you afterwards and put it to rest". Holland Taylor is so sweet (thanks Michael ;)), Bryan Cranston was as shocked as everyone else that he won. Christian's presenter dress was that HIDEOUS flowing granny dress that looked like 4 dresses were piled on top of each other, Joey from Friends style, circa the episode he puts on all of Chandler's clothes. David Boreanaz couldn't have been less interested to present with Lauren Conrad. Did anyone else notice Glenn Close basically ordering America to hold her Emmy?!?! Amy Poehler is as cool, if not cooler than you'd think she is. Stephen Colbert is a sweetheart. It was a huge deal that Candice Bergen came in to rehearse her presentation since she never does, but someone mentioned that Heidi pushed her to do it. Sometimes it helps to practice, Hayden. Since the gifting suite is downstairs, you could tell who was coming only to rehearse and who was coming to do both that and whore out the suite. For example, Jennifer Love Hewitt was all dolled up during rehearsals, as was Lauren Conrad, who walked out with two HUGE bags of swag. Hello, IRS.

One final note, the night wouldn't have been complete without meeting Erin and I's blog idol, former TV GUIDE writer, and now EW
contributor Michael Ausiello. The butterflies began there and stayed with me for the rest of the night.