Emmys Rock On: Lobster With Statuettes on the Side

They say TV adds 10 pounds. And it was never truer than at the A-list parties after the 51st annual Nighttime Emmy Awards show on Sunday. Whether it was the Governors Ball at the Shrine Auditorium or the parties hosted by Fox and HBO, champagne and cocktails flowed freely, delectable hors d’oeuvres glided by on silver trays, and elegant buffets and sit-down dinners were planned by celebrity chefs. All those calories and not a whole lot of dancing to burn them off. No one seemed concerned. It was a night to celebrate with a little schmoozing and a little boozing in tight quarters where industry types and celebs rubbed sequined shoulders and vowed not to worry about that tough workout until tomorrow.

The Governors Ball: The second the telecast ended lucky ticket-holders were whisked from the auditorium into a hangarlike room adjacent the theater. Picture your high school prom on a really killer budget. In contrast to last year’s more traditional look, this ball was a contemporary silver-and-white dream with sailcloth and gauzy drapes catching lavender and peach lighting.

While the big band played “Almost Like Being in Love” many of the guests had to feel “almost like” Emmy winners. The contests were over and it was time to enjoy the VIP treatment.

An army of white-jacketed waiters poured Piper-Heidsieck Red Label champagne, and tables were set with the first course of a dinner prepared by Patina’s superstar chef Joachim Splichal. Some munched their rich lobster, oven-dried tomato, avocado and artichoke salad; others went stargazing; there wasn’t much time because the bigger they were, the sooner they split for the other parties.

Still there were thrilling glimpses of Emmy winner Helen Mirren, who took home a statuette for her portrayal of Ayn Rand in the Showtime movie “The Passion of Ayn Rand,” looking regal in a silver gown, posing for photographers, and Leelee Sobieski (CBS’ “Joan of Arc”), who wore a gothic-esque dark dress and her long locks in storybook princess tresses. “NYPD Blue’s” Rick Schroeder seemed relaxed sharing a laugh with friends sans jacket--looking like a regular guy in his shirt and tie.

HBO Bash at Spago Beverly Hills: When Wolfgang Puck hosts a party he throws open his patio doors and comes out from the kitchen to play. There he was in not-so-white chef whites, joining the stars--James Gandolfini, Tracey Ullman, Robert Wahl, Ray Romano, Cicely Tyson--and heavy-hitting execs of HBO, like Colin Callender, president of HBO original movies.

A seafood station, dessert table, buffet with mashed potatoes and roasted salmon with curry sauce. No problem. The critical task for Puck? Getting the appetizers out fast enough. “They’re so hungry when they come in,” he said. Waiters weaved through the crowd with smoked salmon pizza, duck potstickers, crab cakes with remoulade and other goodies. How does Puck feed himself on these marathon nights? He grazes. “I eat my dinner starting early in the morning and it ends late at night.”

It was a long day and late night for Halle Berry, star and executive producer of a likely Emmy contender next year, HBO’s “Introducing Dorothy Dandridge.” Berry, one of the night’s presenters, spent hours getting ready. At 10 p.m. she still looked amazing in her coral-encrusted Versace ensemble. What’s in your evening bag, Halle? “Gummi bears [the sugar rush keeps her going] and foundation.”

John Leguizamo spent, oh, maybe five minutes getting dressed. “A trim for the beard, [he’s growing it for his next role as Toulouse Lautrec] run my fingers through the hair, throw on the pants. Done!”

And while Leguizamo, who had his new Emmy in tow, wasn’t giving the rituals of the evening much time, his brother, Sergio Leguizamo, was savoring every moment.

“When you’re a relative there’s a certain distant beauty to [the awards ceremonies],” he said. “It’s your own flesh and blood and you can really enjoy in the glory.”

Fox Celebrates at Pagani on Melrose in West Hollywood: The Zen-like spareness of Pagani was the place to spot winners from both casts of “The Practice” and “Ally McBeal,” and for power couples; Michelle Pfeiffer and David E. Kelley, Christine Lahti (“Chicago Hope”) and Thomas Schlamme, who won an Emmy for directing the ABC comedy “Sports Night.”

Some came to party with a vengeance. “The energy in the room feeds you. I love it. I’d like to have a parade every time I win an award,” said Camryn Manheim. “The Practice” star stopped to rest her tired feet way past 11 p.m.

At a nearby table, nonparty boy Michael Badalucco, who could still barely believe he had an Emmy to take home later that night, was planning to leave at a decent hour so he could get to work on new episodes of “The Practice” by 6 a.m. “I don’t have to go to all the hip parties. That’s not my cup of tea.” Still, he said he was happy to be there as part of a team. “If one of us wins, everybody wins. It’s a collaborative effort.”

And quite a production.

When the crowd finally began to thin as midnight drew near, there were still star-seekers outside yelling at exiting guests, “Was the party good?” Whew! Yeah, they all were.