The Red Carpet was on fire as the celebrities and Emmy Award show goers filed in to be seen and see the much-anticipated ceremony that would culminate in winners and losers. When you think about it, there really are no losers in this great contest. Anyone considered talented enough to receive the coveted nomination for his or her work is a winner, hands down. Folks often have to take turns or wait their turns, depending on how the voting goes. Such was the case with the Sopranos, while Edie Falco, James Gandolfini, and Joe Pantialano walked away with Emmy’s this time, their show was put to the side to make way for other shows to get a taste of victory. Debra Messing has often been a nominee several times; this was her time to shine.

On the Red Carpet, eager reporters and photographers, microphones and cameras in hand, vied for the attention of television’s most celebrated as they walked by. This event has always been the place to make a fashion statement and some did more than others did. Both the guys and gals had lots to say via their choices of dress. The Buzz absolutely loves to cover fashion and this event offers plenty of material. No pun intended. This evening afforded a fabulous opportunity to talk to the individuals wearing some of their designer’s best. But this is not just another pretty dress column; The Buzz wants to know what else is going on in the lives of America’s television favorites.

As cameras rolled, helicopters buzzed overhead, and fans screamed, The Buzz was a one woman band, microphone in one hand and digital camera in the other, all to capture some of evening’s highlights just for you. The first spot goes to two people who deserve top billing.

Bryce Zaber, Chairman and CEO of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences’ Board of Governors and Hal Eisner, Executive Producer of the L.A. Emmys and namesake of this website just happened to be passing by at the same time. “I’ve got to tell you, I’ve been involved in five separate Prime Time Emmy telecasts. I have great affection for the Emmys. I think that the fact that you can see what’s going on right now demonstrates as much as anything I could ever say just how much love there is for that Golden Girl and what she means to the community” said Zabel. From a fashion perspective, Eisner wore the traditional tuxedo with bow tie, while Zabel sported the alternative tie and tuxedo seen throughout the evening.

On the fashion scene, Without a Trace star, Poppy Montgomery looked like a ballerina in aqua tulle. Richard Marin designed the dress. She confided that said had a fitting just a few hours before the event. “The zipper broke so we ended up tying it and it’s beautiful”. The gown was laced down the back with matching ribbon. The shorter length highlighted her matching strapy sandals decorated with several well-placed flowers of the same color. Montgomery was there as a presenter and, as such, she received a snazzy gift basket. Asked if she had opened it yet, she responded “No, I’m too superstitious. I’m not going to open it until I get the lines out of my mouth. Then I’ll open it. I’ve memorized the lines but I’m terrified that I will forget them”. She said this was her first Prime Time Emmy production and she loved every minute. “It’s all very exciting,” she said with a big smile.

Tyne Daly looked smashing in her dusty green brocade coat and long skirt. Her sleek hair cut looked pretty terrific, too. An elegant accessory, Daly sported a matching antique fan. “It gets much smaller, that’s why I bought it. It was made in 1912” said Daly. She also said that she is in her fifth year of Judging Amy and is very happy with the show.

Cheryl Hines, up for Outstanding Supporting Actress for Curb Your Enthusiasm and her husband stopped by sharing the secrets of her daring Valentino gown. It was black with strategically placed jet beads sewn into the mesh fabric. She said her husband helped her get into the dress with the use of double-sided tape to make sure the beads didn’t slip. Her husband said he now know everything there is to know about double sided tape.

Julie Chen, hostess of Big Brother, breezed by answering a question as she moved. She said she is looking forward to the season “ I think CBS is going to do great”. Her dress was a fabulous ruby red, long, designed by Angel Sanchez.

Jane Kaczmarek, Malcolm in the Middle, was in blazing red with large gold earrings was with her husband, Brad Whitford of the West Wing. The couple came up with the idea of having the celebrities donate their gowns and tuxedoes to be sold on E-Bay to benefit ADA. Most everyone queried said they were in favor of the idea.

William Macy of Door to Door was very gracious both on the Red Carpet and backstage. Just before he went on the stage to speak to the huge gathering of journalists backstage, he enjoyed a dish of ice cream. Macy held the two Emmy’s that he won one for writing and the other for acting.

Bryan Cranston, Malcolm in the Middle, and his wife, actress Robin Deardan, showed the Buzz a good luck charm that their daughter, 10 year old Taylor gave them to take to the Emmys. “She gave it to me about 3 o’clock, just before we left for the show” said Cranston. He said his whole family was at home watching. “It’s a Hollywood holiday, kids stay up all night and don’t go to school tomorrow” he said. When asked if he was participating in the E-Bay sale of clothing, he said. “ There is so much pomp and circumstance connected to being involved in this business. The best thing I can think of is that I would give them all my clothes if it meant it could go to some useful purpose. Jane and Brad had this brilliant idea why have these gowns and these tuxedos hanging in the closet when you can raise thousands and thousands of dollars for charity. I am so happy to be involved”. By the way Hugo Boss provided his tux.

Elisha Cuthbert wore purple. “For me my main criteria was not to wear black because I will be wearing black all year on 24. You only get one outfit. Purple is a sort of event color,” she said. Sunny Choi did the gown. David Orgell did all the jewelry. “The theme of the Greek Goddess idea was the idea of the dress and it was the was the first dress I tried on. I’m excited. I’ve never been here before, I’m excited to be here supporting the people” confided Cuthbert.

Joely Richardson and Julian McMahon stopped by. Joely is actress Vanessa Redgrave’s daughter. An English actress, Richardson chose a beautiful satin gown in soft pink. She told The Buzz that she was excited to be at the event.

Actress Catherine Dent wore a lipstick red gown with matching bag that she said had been died to match. She said she bought her shoes on E-bay. Young actress, Madylin Sweeten, Everybody Loves Raymond, also wore red. She had matching hair clips, purse and jewelry. “My cousin went to

It is always fun to interview a nominee on the Red Carpet only to find later that the person won an Emmy. Such was the case with Phil Keogan, host of The Amazing Race. He arrived with million dollar winners Reichen and Chip. Keogan shared some his life experiences with The Buzz.

“I’ve been working in reality television since the mid-80’s. I started hosting shows when I was 19. The first reality show I ever did was when people wrote in and they would send me out to do things. So I spent my whole career going around the world doing things. The amazing race was the first show where instead of doing things in front of the camera, I spent my time overseeing other people doing things in front of the camera. I was actually up for survivor and it was down to Jeff and I a couple of years ago” said Keogan.

He went on to say that when Amazing Race came up they were looking for someone and his name came up again. He said, “In series two I worked as a producer setting up some of the stuff they did in New Zealand”. He said it’s the best job in television. “You get this front row seat to watching an amazing thing unfold in front of your eyes. I don’t know if people realize just how intense it is. We shoot the show, the entire 13 hours in about 28 days. And if you factor in were going around the world and we fit the flights in. There are literally times when they are running up to the mat and I am running up to meet them, standing there looking calm cool and collected”. And what’s up next? “We’re casting now for Amazing Race 5” said Keogan.

When overhead, the loudspeaker came on alerting folks that there were only 10 minutes to ShowTime, the crowd began moving towards the huge doors of the Shrine Auditorium. People surrounded Jennifer Aniston, in a short navy Halston vintage cocktail dress. Sarah Jessica Parker floated by in her pretty cotton candy tulle gown. Christina Applegate was in a fabulous long flapper looking number by Halston. Mary Hart wore a strapless two piece red number, her hair in curls, she looked great.

During the show, winners were brought to the press tent where they took to the stage to continue interviews with journalists present. Overall, the entire evening was magnificent. A touch of Hollywood. The razzle-dazzle for which Tinsel Town is known. And next year, it will start all over again, but with new shows and actors dressed to the nines.

The Shrine Auditorium was the place to be Saturday night, September 14th, especially if you are a TV buff. Celebrities walked the red carpet, on their way to the Emmy Awards presentation, many stopping to talk with the long line of media there to cover the event. While I took the opportunity to speak with some before the show, snapping a few pictures as well, I also caught up with some of the Emmy Award winners and presenters backstage. I wanted to get some of the winners reactions and share them with you.

On the red carpet, I snapped a photo of Linda Thompson and David Foster who looked sensational. Linda had on one of those dresses that grabs everyone’s attention, a long black number, with cut-outs at the back. Foster thought so too. Backstage, after they won their award, he said “Look at this dress, it’s one of the best one’s here tonight”. And it was.

The two were there as nominees for the category Outstanding Music and Lyrics-The Best Title Song for their work Aren’t They All My Children for The Concert for World Children’s Day. Foster wrote the music. Thompson wrote the lyrics. Backstage, after they accepted their Emmys, Thompson said she dedicated her’s to the Ronald McDonald House and the children.

Another fashion note on the red carpet, I spoke with Brittany Snow of American Dream who was there to present an award for costuming. An appropriate category for she was wearing a sort of retro ‘60’s dress, peach with overlay of white lace. She said “This dress was actually created for me by Sonia, a costume designer for an episode, but I got to wear it here tonight”. Snow said that she has learned a lot about costumes from the show. She said she has been acting since a child and finds the whole red carpet thing fun. She also shared some thoughts about two other well known celebs who were supposed to tie the knot that very day but put out the word that they were postponing the wedding. Of course, you know to whom I am referring, Jennifer Lopez and Ben Afleck. “I wish they would just get married” Snow sweetly commented. She also had something to say about one of the latest singing stars, Kelly Clarkson. “After meeting her and listening to her, I am a total fan. I went out and bought her CD and listen to it all the time” said Snow.

One of the categories for which she was presenting included Outstanding Costumes for A Series and the winner was, the envelope please, Chrisi Karvonides Dushenko and Christine Burrows for American Dreams, Where the Toys Are. How cool.

American Dream, also won an Emmy for Outstanding Hairstyling for a Series. Cheri Ruff, Soo Jin Yoon and Paulette Pennington accepted the statues; the episode, I Want to Hold Your Hand. About the hairdos, Ruff, said that it was not the women’s hair that was difficult, rather it was the guys’ because so many of them have really short hair. She gave a little peek into the creative decision making she dealt with by saying that to achieve their goal of fitting those short hair looks to the time frames required of the series, especially of the years where longer hair prevailed on men as in the 60’s, they sometimes resort to “air-brushing and blending”.

Sex and the City, an awfully big show, was well represented at the event. Star, Kim Cattrall, presented several awards one of which just happened to go to her casting director on the series, Jennifer McNamara. I spoke to both of them backstage. About winning the Emmy, McNamara said, tipping the Emmy statue towards Cattrall, “She’s the reason for this”. McNamara is a star maker in her own right. I asked her just how she finds the actors for her series. An aside, the show just happens to be in its last season and has enjoyed a long and successful run, but knew that. Her reply was candid. “ I find them everywhere, from agents, in acting classes, through referrals from other people, and just about everywhere”. She obviously has a knack for picking the right folks for just about everyone she has touched has rocketed skyward. About plans after the season wraps, she said she will be off to new projects. “I have been fortunate to be part of the Sex and the City team from the beginning. We have all worked together and that accounts for much of the show success” she said. She said we may look forward to some interesting episodes this season. We will all be watching to see what projects lure team members after the season wraps.

Another Emmy winner, with whom I spoke backstage, is getting ready to begin looking for a new project, as we speak. Michael O’Shea, Director of Photography for the show, won for his work on the incredible CSI: Miami. He confided that his winning episode, The Simple Man, was the last episode he shot before leaving the show for a hip replacement. I asked him what was the public’s draw to CSI and the shows of its genre. “CSI, both versions (Miami and Nevada) deal with subjects the public is curious about. The writers welcome us to drop in on them. That’s not done in many shows.” He said the creative team works together trying to make the shows as authentic as possible and, at the same time, creating situations that pique the viewers’ interest.

Backstage, I interviewed Gaynelle Evans, Tim Haines, and Adam Kemp. They won Emmys for their work Chased By Dinosaurs for the Discovery Channel. The category was Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or More). The consensus between the three, who represented several corporate entities including the BBC and the Discovery Channel, is that collaboration is one of the most important aspects permitting them to creatively achieve. They said another is funding which allows them to maximize the programming aspect. Evans, who is an Executive Producer for the Discovery Channel promised “more new projects”, one hint could have to do with underwater sea monsters, of course, you didn’t hear it here, or did you?