Emmy Party Diary: Inside the A-List Parties and Events

HBO Celebrates Best Drama, Comedy Series Emmy Wins With Emilia Clarke, Kerry Washington and Amy Schumer

9:30 p.m. Ryan Murphy arrives, receiving many congratulations for the wins of his People vs. O.J. Simpson. 

10:00 p.m. Chris Noth, sporting a bushy mustache, chatting up Ballers star Arielle Krebel and West Wing vet Dule Hill by the bar.

10:45 p.m. Amy Schumer and Chris Rock spotted talking in a banquette as Schumer’s boyfriend playfully turns the camera on the fans who are trying to take their picture.

Chris Rock & Amy Schumer have the last laugh at the #HBO #Emmy party as HBO wins the night with the most wins. pic.twitter.com/8gDmOscMye

— Borys Kit (@Borys_Kit) September 19, 2016

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11:00 p.m. Emmy winner Keegan Michael-Key is asked to record a happy birthday greeting on an iPhone for a fan’s daughter. He complies.

11:10 p.m. Khaleesi — aka Emilia Clarke — makes her grand entrance and is escorted by a couple of women to a table.

11:15 p.m. John Oliver arrives, Emmy in hand, and the first person to greet him is Richard Plepler who gives The Last Week Tonight host a big bear hug.

11:20 p.m. Heidi Klum, seemingly exhausted by the number of requests from random guests, politely refuses to take any further fan photos.

11:30 p.m. Anne Heche and Anna Chulmsky hit the dance floor to the Eurythmics “Sweet Dreams."

Dance floor at HBO #Emmys party pic.twitter.com/PCkwIJV6Ge

— Lesley Goldberg (@Snoodit) September 19, 2016

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11:30 p.m. "I'm not a happy person day in and day out but I'm very, very happy right now," Veep exec producer David Mandel tells THR of vindication the Emmy win means for his first season on the HBO comedy. "It sounds silly but I've been to these things many times and gone home empty handed. This year, I really felt like we did something special and it was really nice that everyone else felt the same way." The series, which repeated Emmy gold for the second year in a row, says they have their first table read of the season on Tuesday and he's excited to take on something of a more serious nature. "Under Obama, we're seeing what a racist country we really are and that's something I definitely would like to tackle a little more this coming season." After the interview, Mandel — who has a steady stream of people patting him on the back — remembers one thing he wanted to be sure made it in print: "I forgot to thank my parents on the stage! I think they're a little drunk in New York right now but I'd be nowhere without them! Make sure that gets in print!"

This is #Veep showrunner David Mandel, who forgot to thank his parents during his #Emmys win! pic.twitter.com/fEhXZclu8x

— Lesley Goldberg (@Snoodit) September 19, 2016

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11:40 p.m. A very chill Rami Malek gives up his drink to a friend who didn’t have one. He then hugs fellow winner Hank Azaria.

11:47 p.m. In his first Emmys as HBO programming president, Casey Bloys is all smiles at his network's star-studded bash. While the Game of Thrones gang have left the building — save for George R.R. Martin, who is wandering the party solo — Bloys is feeling very fortune. The premium cable network again led the network pack with 22 wins (followed by FX with 18). "It feels fortunate and I love it — my fingers are crossed for next year," he tells THR. Indeed: 2017 will see Game of Thrones on the bench as production will move to accommodate colder weather and miss the window of eligibility. Bloys, however, feels confident that HBO has a strong enough bench to maintain its slot at the top. He singles out Big Little Lies, The Night Of, Westworld, Veep, Silicon Valley, Insecure, Divorce and TV movies Henrietta Lacks and Madoff. "I think we have enough in the pipeline," he says of fending off red-hot FX. "There's enough room for everyone to make good stuff; it's good for all of us. I loved O.J." As for the future of critical darling The Night Of, Bloys says producers are currently mulling what a season two could look like — and whether that means bringing back season one cast or taking the anthology route. "We would absolutely do a season two," he says. "If [the producers] are happy and they want to do something, we'll do it."

12:20 p.m. People v. O.J Simpson star Sterling K. Brown is perhaps the last of the Emmy winners left standing at the HBO bash. He's taking the time to chat with pretty much every well-wisher who comes by to shake his hand. "I feel like I'm starting to come back into my body, like my soul just started flying around above me for a while but now I'm complete again but I'm as happy as could be," he tells THR. "I go to work on [NBC's] This Is Us on Monday afternoon. I know there will be hugs and kisses abound. Hopefully we keep doing good work and put out another quality television show. For network television, it's the best thing I've read in the past 15 years."

12:30 p.m. MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell holding court about the election near the entrance.

12:25 p.m. People vs. OJ star John Travolta and director/producer Anthony Hemingway huddle in a banquette with friends as a mob of fans snap photos.

12:30 p.m. Cuba Gooding Jr. heads over to the Veep table to congratulate showrunner David Mandel and star Timothy Simons.

12:45 p.m. Jaime King playfully poses as husband Kyle Newman takes a few last snaps on the red carpet as they exit.  

Fox Toasts 'People vs. O.J. Simpson' Winners Ryan Murphy, Sarah Paulson, Courtney B. Vance at Vibiana

8:22 p.m. Modern Family’s Eric Stonestreet entered the party singing and dancing to a remix of Sam Smith’s "Stay with Me," which was being played by the DJ in Vibiana's massive venue space.

The inside of Fox's #Emmys party pic.twitter.com/P4F0Ss47si

— Lesley Goldberg (@Snoodit) September 19, 2016

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8:27 p.m. Jesse Tyler Ferguson and husband Justin Mikita arrive and walk past New Girl’s Max Greenfield, who was eyeing the seafood bar that included oysters and poke.

8:50 p.m. Sofia Vergara, minus husband Joe Manganiello, comes in a side door and immediately asks, “So, where the food?” Underaged Modern Family star Nolan Gould was in line at the bar — for a bottle of water.

Cuba Gooding Jr. greets Sarah Paulson at the Fox party by screaming "Hey Marcia!" #Emmys pic.twitter.com/CSbQdmFE2C

— Lesley Goldberg (@Snoodit) September 19, 2016

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9:15 p.m. The entire Modern Family cast including Vergara, Stonestreet, Ferguson, Ty Burell, Sarah Hyland, Rico Rodriguez and Ariel Winter all found themselves packed onto the counties in their reserved areas. Stone street was dancing in his seat to DNCE’s "Cake by the Ocean." (DJ Michelle Pesce kept the party rocking all night long.)

9:50 p.m. Ryan Murphy arrives only to split his time between the American Horror Story and People vs. O.J. Simpson tables, which had reserved spots right next to each other on Vibiana's out door patio.

10:00 p.m. Modern Family's Sarah Hyland has had it with reading internet comments. The young actress has been watching the comments section light up with mixed reviews to her pants/dress combination, which by 10 p.m. at the Fox party has evolved to just slacks. "I love my dress because it's not a dress and pants are fucking awesome!" she says.

10:01 p.m. Fox topper Dana Walden is nearly impossible to get to as Ryan Murphy and fellow Fox topper Gary Newman both wait for her to snap a photo. Walden, of course, was head of studio 20th Century Fox Television when Fox originally announced development of the project. Murphy later boarded the drama and envisioned the series as an anthology before it moved to corporate sibling FX. The now Fox topper sees the victory as a win for Fox, too. But what's really exciting for Walden is Grease: Live's multiple wins. The exec says the network is "trying to be really careful about what our next move is." "We don't want it to just be that we're looking for a title that's well-known," she tells THR with her daughter listening intently at her side. "We've got a few things that I'm really excited about — some of which are original — and are in the live space but are original creations with meaningful creators at the center with some from the theater world and some from the music world. We are not going to say close but we're moving in a really good direction on a title that I feel is a great Fox title that when we announce it, you'll say, 'That makes sense.' "

10:15 p.m. Ryan Murphy and Sarah Paulson have so many people trying to offer them congratulations that they've relegated to a couch in the corner of the loud outdoor space at the Fox party. "I don't even have words for the things I feel right now," Paulson tells THR of her best actress in a limited series win for her portrayal of Marcia Clark in FX's People v. O.J. Simpson. "It was a long time in coming and it was worth the wait. I'm glad I won it for this; it was a very meaningful experience for me from top to bottom." Adds Murphy, who also collected his first win in the best limited series category for the FX anthology: "Every year, I was rooting for Sarah so hard and I think she's right: her win happened how it should have happened." So will Paulson have a role in the Hurricane Katrina-themed season two? "She'll be back, yes! We're excited about that one," Murphy says to smiles from his leading lady. Moments later, they're joined by Cuba Gooding Jr., who busts into their seated area with a fun and simple greeting for Paulson: "Hey Marcia!"

10:29 p.m. It takes FX president John Landgraf a lengthy amount of time to get through the Emmys crowd after his network's 18 wins set a basic cable record. When he finally finds Ryan Murphy and Sarah Paulson, it's photo-op city as nearly everyone with a camera and cell phone snap as many as possible when the trio finally unite. Speaking with THR, Landgraf downplays the success and credits the talent on his network. "I can look back 12 years and it's really hard to describe because we've been working so long and so hard to make better and better shows," he says. "The fact that we had the artists and the stories and the support of the TV Academy this year was really moving to me." Of particular excitement to Landgraf is Archer's best animated series win — a victory that came in the show's seventh season — as well as Louie Anderson's supporting actor in comedy for Baskets, among others. "We cast Sterling K. Brown in Starved, an animated comedy that launched the same week as It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia 12 years ago and to see that guy standing up winning the Emmy for playing Chris Darden …" Landgraf said, clearly enjoying the moment. "Seeing them get this kind of recognition is very moving to me."

10:30 p.m. John Travolta, wife Kelly Preston and his Emmy cut the line at the bar by the People v. OJ Simpson table to order a specialty cocktail.

10:42 p.m. Courtney B. Vance, Emmy in hand, and Angela Basset talked in the designated Ryan Murphy section. Sarah Paulson held court behind with actor Pedro Pascal nearby and Marcia Clark nearby.

Other guests included: Emmy winner Louie Anderson, Julie Bowen, Kirsten Dunst, Mandy Moore, Jesse Plemmons, Finn Wittrock and Adina Porter.
 

Emmy Winners Celebrate at Governors Ball

With a menu created by Joachim Splichal, master chef and co-founder of Patina, and produced by Cheryl Ceccheto of Sequoia Prods., the Governors Ball is always the first-stop on a hectic party night for Emmy revelers. Nearly 3,800 guests were treated to a sit-down dinner in the venue, which is the length of one football field and filled with 11,400 wine glasses filled with Sterling Vineyards wine and Fiji water on every table (snapped up by everyone in sight due to the high temps). The theme: Nature’s Elegance.

8:15 p.m. The walk from the Microsoft Theater after the show to the adjacent L.A. Convention Center for the Governors Ball proved to be a stuffy and stuffed journey with A-list executives and talent forced to mill about waiting for doors to open. When a staffer reminded the waiting guests that they were, in fact, waiting to get into the Governors Ball, Mr. Robot actor Michael Gill attempted to relay the message to his companions, House of Cards actress Jayne Atkinson and Cherry Jones, but slipped up saying, "This is the line for the Governors Balls." Atkinson quipped, "No wonder it's so sweaty in here." Even though the sun had gone down, guests were rushing to get outside and out of the balmy Microsoft Theater, heading straight for stacked bottles of Fiji water (the official water of the 68th Emmy Awards, for a third consecutive year) neatly lined tables outside the Convention Center to hydrate. 

A general view of atmosphere at the 68th Emmy Awards Governors Ball at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Fiji water returns for a third consecutive year as the official water of the Emmy Awards, a deal that helped guests like Jerry Seinfeld, Sarah Paulson, Sofia Vergara and Rami Malek stay hydrated on the red carpet in temperatures that reached 90 degrees.  (Photo by Jennifer Lourie/WireImage)

8:20 p.m. The receiving line to congratulate Ryan Murphy for The People v. O.J. Simpson's near-sweep of the limited series category is expectedly full of Fox elite — including Lachlan Murdoch, who Murphy asks if he'd like to hold his Emmy. He accepts. 

8:46 p.m. Leslie Jones, fresh from her hilarious bit with the accountants from Ernst & Young, is eating her salad with a male friend. They’re the only two at their table as guests are still filing in the extra large convention center.

Gorgeous walk inside Gov Ball #Emmys pic.twitter.com/1biAO1FYZi

— Chris Gardner (@chrissgardner) September 19, 2016

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8:57 p.m. Chris Rock takes a seat at the same table as HBO’s winning late-night host John Oliver, honored for his Last Week Tonight With John Oliver. Rock’s girlfriend has his tuxedo jacket draped over her shoulders as he’s rocking just his white button-down. “No wonder she’s cold, there’s finally some air conditioning today,” says one guest, referring to not only the blazing temperatures but the balmy feeling inside the Microsoft Theater during the big show.

9:02 p.m. John Oliver finally takes a seat at his table after receiving well wishes from several guests. Someone from Oliver’s Emmy winning team tells The Hollywood Reporter that his whole crew – including the 50 or so staff members who flew out for Sunday night’s Emmys along with their plus-ones – are headed to HBO’s Emmy party at Pacific Design Center. But they’ve also got their own separate private party just for the Last Week Tonight crew “someplace close to downtown” because that’s where they are all staying.

9:07 p.m. Silicon Valley star Thomas Middleditch swings by to congratulate Oliver, who is joined by his wife Kate Norley.

9:13 p.m. Ryan Murphy, toting his Emmy, makes a break for the door with his husband, David Miller.

Producer Ryan Murphy's OJ table at the Gov Ball has a lot of #Emmys on it. pic.twitter.com/VJTNq5r0CB

— Matthew Belloni (@THRMattBelloni) September 19, 2016

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9:21 p.m. “Amazing,” is how Chris Rock describes the night’s Emmy telecast. As for THR’s other question, he declines with, “You’re killing me.”

9:22 p.m. As Chris Rock and the whole Last Week Tonight table clears out, The Voice winner Jordan Smith takes the stage for a rousing performance that showcases his incredible voice, showing the packed Convention Center why he won.

Winner of @NBCTheVoice @JordanSmithLive closes out his Gov Ball perf w/choir, showing why he won. #Emmys pic.twitter.com/sEojZftxwg

— Chris Gardner (@chrissgardner) September 19, 2016

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9:30 p.m. Shiri Appleby and Will Forte are seen laughing near the restrooms while in the midst of a friendly conversation.

9:42 p.m. Emmy winner Jordan Peele of the sketch variety series Key & Peele is headed toward the exit, but not without literally getting swarmed by random Governors Ball guests, all toting phones and asking for seflies. “He’s actually getting molested,” jokes one party guest.

10:00 p.m. Outstanding actor in a drama series winner Rami Malek looks nothing like a robot as he playfully interacts with staffers in the engraving station near the back of the convention center. He poses for selfies, shakes hands, does a little dance and hoists his new trophy over his head.

I hope you're seeing this too: @ItsRamiMalek picksup engraved bestactor #Emmys @ GovBall, smiles, celebrates big win pic.twitter.com/vpj3ebSj5Y

— Chris Gardner (@chrissgardner) September 19, 2016

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10:11 p.m. Aziz Ansari picks up an espresso from Groundwork Coffee on his way to the limo waiting area with his family. Down below, his rep Jodi Gottlieb waits for him, holding his giant Emmy carrying case while the Master of None boss holds the gold.

Here's @pattonoswalt with his very deserved Emmy at the Gov Ball. #Emmys pic.twitter.com/LNZNuwQjKt

— Matthew Belloni (@THRMattBelloni) September 19, 2016

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Amazon Takes Over Sunset Tower to Celebrate 'Transparent' Team Jill Soloway, Jeffrey Tambor

8:35 p.m. The Emmy broadcast only wrapped about a half an hour ago and it’ll be some time before partygoers who attended the show make their way over from the Governors Ball, but Ted Hope, who helms the motion picture unit at Amazon Studios, is already enjoying the party at a booth inside, waiting for his colleagues to make their entrance. Head of drama Morgan Wandell arrives about an hour later and tells THR that he didn’t go to the show because of a busy travel schedule. But he did attend the Creative Arts Emmys to see The Man in the High Castle take home two awards.

9:08 p.m. The party is off to a slow start and the dance floor is empty, prompting one attendee to sidle up to the DJ and ask, “where are all the dancers?” He responds: “I don’t know, I’m waiting for them to get here.” (Not to worry, the dance floor will heat up later in the night.)

10:30 p.m. Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos joins the party, making a beeline for the bar to order a San Pellegrino. He eventually makes his way outside and holds court near the mini-burgers as a crowd immediately forms to listen to him talk sci-fi movies and boast about his children.

11:27 p.m. The revelers who attended the show have finally made their way to West Hollywood. Inside, Emily Ratajkowski chats with Transparent’s Hari Nef. Nearby, both Bradley Whitford and Michaela Watkins are conversing in small groups, while Amy Landecker hugs a costar.

11:29 p.m. Tig Notaro, who stars in the new Amazon series One Mississippi, has just arrived with wife Stephanie Allynne and walks past a dance floor that has started to fill with revelers, including Transparent’s Gaby Hoffmann, who are grooving to “Blurred Lines.”

11:37 p.m. The night’s big winner, Jill Soloway, has posted up under one of the awnings outside, gamely posing for photos with Transparent fans. One of those happens to be Bezos, who stops by to ask Soloway and fellow winner Jeffrey Tambor for a picture. “So deserved,” he says of the show’s Emmy wins. After the two Jeffreys grab a shot together, Tambor asks Bezos where he’s headed next. “I think I’m going to bed,” Bezos responds, to which a tired Tambor asks, “Can I go with you?”

11:48 p.m. The cast of Transparent came out in force to celebrate Soloway and Tambor’s wins, with both Melora Hardin and Judith Light mingling with guests. Other guests in attendance include Russell Simmons.

12:22 a.m. Catastrophe’s Sharon Horgan, who is also behind HBO’s upcoming Sarah Jessica Parker comedy Divorce, smokes a cigarette and chats with partygoers. A mustachioed Rob Delaney, Horgan’s Catastrophe co-creator, made an appearance earlier in the evening.

12:25 a.m. There’s been a steady stream of dancing for the last hour but things pick up when Soloway arrives on the floor. The Man in the High Castle’s Luke Kleintank is also cutting it up.

12:50 a.m. As the party is winding down, Soloway — Emmy in hand — leads a group of 20-plus people, including Michael Watkins and several Transparent writers, to a party bus parked outside the Sunset Tower Hotel. Cheers erupt as they begin to board. 

Other guests included: Luke Kleintank, Titus Welliver, Alexa Davalos, Omar Miller, Judith Light, Elizabeth McLaughlin, Odelya Halevi, Alicia Hannah, Sebastian Roche, Mark Boone Junior, Chris Navarro, Amy Aquino, Genevieve Angelson, Dina Shihabi, Carolyn Hennesy, Jon Voight, Jay Duplass, Melora Hardin, Emily Ratajkowski, Zac Posen, Michaela Watkins, Martina Garcia and Russell Simmons.

Showtime Hosts Packed Emmy Party at Sunset Tower's Tower Bar With Claire Danes, Jim Carrey and Les Moonves

7:06 pm. Lesli Linka Glatter is among the first to arrive to red carpet inside Tower Bar. And speaking of arrivals, the nominated Homeland helmer tells The Hollywood Reporter that she just landed in L.A. earlier in the day. “I shot late last night in New York and then flew in this morning so I am a total space case,” she laughs, and then looks up and recognizes David Hollander standing next to her. The Ray Donovan show runner is also nominated in her same category. “Hi David,” she smiles. “See we are both nominees for directing. It’s wonderful. We didn’t go shopping together though, so that’s unfortunate.”

 

Saturday night in the city. #SHOWEmmyEve #Emmys

A photo posted by Chris Gardner (@christophergardner) on Sep 17, 2016 at 9:41pm PDT

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7:08 p.m. Hollander has an easy out when asked who he will vote for in the category because … he’s not voting. “I’m a writer and a producer and a show runner but I’ve never been a directors member until this year so I don’t vote and don’t have to worry about it,” he explains. He’s got other tasks to focus on, overseeing the critically-acclaimed Showtime drama. “I’m at the helm of a giant boat that runs the way it runs so if I get to call action/cut, that’s lovely but my job is much different than just directing.” 

7:10 p.m. Onetime Saturday Night Live star Jay Pharoah is now a part of the Showtime family – soon to star in the series White People Famous – and he’s already meeting some of the network’s royalty, specifically Jon Voight who is standing next to him on the carpet. He snags a moment and gushes to the veteran actor about how much he loves his work. “At the end of the day, I’m a fan of the craft and the artistry of acting, so to see the people I’ve watched on television for years and be able to brush shoulders with them and have them say that they appreciate what you do, that’s surreal, man,” Pharoah tells THR. Also surreal was the opportunity he had to meet President Barack Obama, someone he had impersonated during his SNL tenure. “I feel like he’s ready to leave office, but we’re all like, ‘Hey, if you could do a third, we would definitely pencil you in right now.’ But I think he’s ready to play golf.” The 28-year-old actor then admits that he’s aware that SNL announced a new roster of cast members, more than a month after it was revealed that he was exiting the show. “I hope they do well,” he says. “I know one of the girls. I saw some of her clips and she does impressions and is great. I hope she gets used to her fullest potential over there.” 

Stars get star-struck: @JayPharoah meets @jonvoight for 1st time and says he loves his work. At @Showtime #Emmys2016 pic.twitter.com/tkT0zBLdhh

— Chris Gardner (@chrissgardner) September 18, 2016

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7:22 p.m. Voight returns Pharoah’s compliment to THR. “He’s a very gifted guy. I’m very flattered when someone in our business who is that talented gives me a salute. It’s very nice,” he says. The legendary actor admits he’s looking forward to Sunday night’s ceremony and the subsequent bashes. “I probably won’t trip the light fantastic and stay up all night, but I will go to one or two of the parties and get to bed at a decent hour,” he claims. It’s a healthy choice, and when pressed if that’s part of his Emmy weekend wellness plan, Voight is reminded that he’s yet to take his vitamins. He then reaches in his pocket and pulls out a sealed min-manilla envelope filled with vitamins in varying shapes and colors. “There’s a couple stuck in the bottom. Come on guys, get out of there. There’s quite a lot. I have taken these for a number of years,” he explains. “I saw a Life magazine and they went into Clint Eastwood’s home and took some pictures of a young Clint, 31 or 32, whatever he was at the time, and he had vitamins on his windowsill. I thought if he was doing it, that’s a good idea because he must know something. Ever since then, I’ve been very open to taking vitamins and supplements. I take C, B and E and Fish Oil and all sorts of stuff.”

During my chat w/@jonvoight he says #Emmys2016 wellness strategy is loading up on multivitamins.Proof?? #SHOWEmmyEve pic.twitter.com/gHyxHnP1d3

— Chris Gardner (@chrissgardner) September 18, 2016

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7:30 p.m. Homeland star and outstanding actress in a drama series Claire Danes arrives to the carpet and poses for photos and then ducks into the party, accompanied by her husband, Hugh Dancy.

7:31 p.m. Shameless star Steve Howey is also looking quite healthy with gratitude to match. “I feel lucky that I get to come to this party,” he says. “It’s a great party and the caliber of actors are phenomenal from A-list movie stars and A-list TV stars. I feel lucky to be on the show and to be able to come here. It’s fun to be a part of the whole thing.” 

7:41 p.m. Nominee Felicity Huffman is in the building with her nominated husband, William H. Macy. She tells THR that she had a good time Friday night, making the rounds everywhere from the Women in Film event to Entertainment Weekly’s party after starting the night at the TV Academy’s Performers Nominee Reception. “I felt self-conscious at first walking across the stage but then I realized, man, I am in some great company here and I am one lucky girl,” she says.

7:41 p.m. Jim Carrey arrives and poses for photos with a female friend. (More on him later.)

7:44 p.m. Les Moonves and wife Julie Chen arrive, pose for photos and then weave their way through the packed bar area. 

8:05 p.m. Showtime president David Nevins addresses the party, making mention of the network’s top talent and roster of nominees. He starts his brief remarks by joking, “I’m going to ignore the crazy guy in the corner,” with a quick nod to that corner where Jim Carrey is pounding on the glass from the other side of the patio terrace where he is holding court in a VIP banquette. 

Network pres David Nevins jokes he's going to ignore "crazy guy in corner." That guy?@JimCarrey #SHOWEmmyEve pic.twitter.com/Cj6Wg6s5QH

— Chris Gardner (@chrissgardner) September 18, 2016

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8:09 p.m. Claire Danes and Hank Azaria are catching up near the edge of the red carpet, smiling and laughing while the actor holds what appears to be a fire pit poker. 

Three #Emmys2016 noms in one place/pic: Claire Danes @HankAzaria @WilliamHMacy #SHOWEmmyEve pic.twitter.com/RGjvUnMoK7

— Chris Gardner (@chrissgardner) September 18, 2016

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8:21 p.m. Mandy Patinkin and Lesli Linka Glatter start to dance a bit while the night’s musical performer Jamie N Commons sings on stage. Over their shoulders, Claire Danes and Hugh Dancy are in conversation with her Homeland costar Rupert Friend.
 

What's a party without proper, plenty accoutrements? #SHOWEmmyEve pic.twitter.com/xgbYNMvhvR

— Chris Gardner (@chrissgardner) September 18, 2016

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#SHOWEmmyEve musical performer @JamieNCommons takes stage for short set. pic.twitter.com/PB4tBkS3BU

— Chris Gardner (@chrissgardner) September 18, 2016

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BBC America and BAFTA Los Angeles Team For TV Tea Party

2:30 p.m. Game of Thrones star Emilia Clarke poses with author George R. R. Martin for a photo. When asked how he's feeling about Sunday night, Martin tells The Hollywood Reporter he's hoping he'll get as lucky as he did last year. "I'll either end up with a little gold statue in my hands or drunk and bitter," he says. He adds that he's, of course, still working on his next book in the hit A Song of Ice and Fire series on which GOT is based — but that he's not writing as fast as he used to, noting that he didn't expect the TV show to ever pass the books the way it did last season. He maintains that his upcoming novels may or may not reflect events that have now happened in the series. "They've killed a lot of people in the show that are alive in the books," he points out. As far as other projects he's working on, Martin says he's currently meeting with HBO (where he has an overall deal) about other projects, though he is mum on details, particularly when it comes to whether or not said projects are Game of Thrones spinoffs. And though the rights to the author's other series Wild Cards was scooped up by Universal Cable Productions earlier this year, Martin says he can't be involved because of his pact with the premium cable channel home to GOT. "HBO owns my ass!" he jokes.

3:00 p.m Emilia Clarke is once again posing for a photo — but this time it's with Stranger Things breakout Mille Bobby Brown. Next up in the queue: Alison Wright (Martha on The Americans), who tells THR that she's obsessed with the Netflix series. "Have you seen it? It's amazing," she says.

3:20 p.m Divorce creator Sharon Horgan (who’s nominated for writing for her Amazon series Catastrophe) tells THR that on her way to the party was the first time she saw billboards for her new HBO series starting Sarah Jessica Parker. "All the stuff I've done before has never been this big," she says, clearly surprised to see such a large-scale marketing campaign for one of her own shows.

3:30 p.m. House of Cards actors Michael E. Kelly and Paul Sparks appear to be joined at the hip. In an attempt to escape the heat that has other guests fanning themselves, the pair have found a back corner of the room that has two air conditioning units.

3:45 p.m. Keegan-Michael Key walks the party with his girlfriend, producer and director Elisa Pugliese. "We live three blocks down that way," he tells THR, pointing South out the window of the London's Boxwood. "So we're going to run back there, take a nap and then head back out." Later tonight is Comedy Central's party, where Key will reunite with his Key & Peele co-star Jordan Peele.

4:00 p.m. Game of Thrones' Maisie Williams is the last of the HBO drama's stars to arrive at the tea. She stops at the THR photo booth first for a shot with Orphan Black nominee Tatiana Maslany. Williams had come straight from the show's set in Ireland, where they're currently filming the seventh season.

4:10 p.m. On their way out, Keegan-Michael Key and Elisa Pugliese stop to grab a photo with Veep star Tony Hale, which Hale's wife takes for them. The two couples stop and chat for a few moments afterwards.

4:30 p.m. Allison Janney is the last of the nominees to arrive at the London. When THR congratulates her on her second double nomination (for Mom and Masters of Sex), she jokes, "I will say, it never gets old."

4:45 p.m. Sharon Horgan gives fellow Brit Stephen Merchant, who is waiting in a very, very long valet line, a hug on her way to her car.

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National Women’s History Museum Fetes Tracee Ellis Ross, Abigail Breslin

At the 5th Annual Women Making History Awards, the prospect of one particular woman making history this November was on everyone’s mind.

“[Hillary Clinton] is certainly the most qualified candidate we’ve ever had,” said Transparent’s Melora Hardin, who was still incredulous at her opponent’s candidacy. “That the Republican Party is so determined to have a conservative judge that they will tolerate somebody as ridiculous as Donald Trump is, to me, shocking. I have friends that are Republicans, and a lot of them are just disgusted and not voting Republican this year because of it. I love what Trevor Noah said: ‘Maybe Hillary will be a bad president, but you guys have had bad presidents before, and you’ve survived that. But you’ve never survived what Donald Trump is.’”

 

Two women making history: #NWHM president/CEO Joan Wages and best actress #Emmy nominee @tracieellisross

A photo posted by Rebecca Sun (@therebeccasun) on Sep 17, 2016 at 11:48am PDT

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“We are so behind the developed world as far as electing female leaders,” said Kathy Griffin, who added that Trump makes comedians’ jobs easy. “I’ve known that fool for 20 years, off and on. I did not know he harbored those racist thoughts; I thought he was just a wacky, colorful, harmless character. The only thing that’s difficult about making fun of him is that we’re so divided now. I’ve had people yelling ‘Make America Great Again’ at my tour stops.”

Like the awards brunch’s other attendees, which included Yara Shahidi, Kate Walsh, Bruce Greenwood (one of the few men present), Molly Sims, Amy Brenneman, Garcelle Beauvais and hosts Ana Ortiz and Brianna Brown of Devious Maids, Griffin also noted that women have already been breaking ground: “It’s important for women of all ages to realize that everything we do is history making. Too often, women do it in a way that’s too quiet and they don’t get enough credit, so we need our own building in the Capitol where white lawmaking men have to deal with us every single day.”

She was referring to the goal of the event organizers, the National Women’s History Museum, which is raising $1 million in private funding in hopes of building the country’s first national museum dedicated to female achievements.

NYX Cosmetics founder Toni Ko, one of this year’s four honorees, noted that when she hosted a tour of Korea’s museums 20 years ago, she visited institutions dedicated to mining, minerals, mustard, trash and bananas — but not women, a stunning fact that the final honoree, Black-ish best actress nominee Tracee Ellis Ross, returned to in her acceptance speech: “A banana museum?! It’s bananas  that there’s no museum for ladies!”

(Photo by Todd Williamson/Getty Images for National Women's History Museum)

Principato Young Brunch Celebrates With 'Black-ish' Cast by the Beach

Principato Young's Saturday brunch doubled as a celebration for ABC's Black-ish. Stars Marcus Scribner, Marsai Martin and nominated lead Anthony Anderson were among those from the comedy schmoozing at the Huntley Hotel penthouse — where the wine was being pushed at a very early hour and the beach offered a welcome backdrop. Keegan Michael Key also made the rounds. And a mystery Emmy statuette, presumably from last week's Creative Arts ceremony, sat unmanned at a nearby booth.

ICM Pre-Emmy Brunch Lures Katie Holmes and 'Stranger Things' Star Millie Bobby Brown

Even the slimmest chance of seeing Beyoncé at Saturday's ICM party — the agency packaged her Emmy-nominated Lemonade for HBO — was enough to drive some to Chris Silbermann's annual Santa Monica brunch. And while the singer, set to performer in Santa Clarita hours later, was a no-show — guests were greeted by the next best thing: Eleven from Stranger Things. Millie Bobby Brown, the 12-year-old breakout from the Netflix summer drama, chased younger sister Eva around the pool while Regina King caught up with Jerry Maguire husband Cuba Gooding Jr. and Katie Holmes shielded herself from the sun under an impractically large hat.

The Americans co-executive producer Steven Schiff and his wife, best-selling author and “intuitionist” Laura Day, stayed cool in the shade as they discussed with THR the series’ chances of a win – Day’s intuition yielded no special insights. After Sunday’s festivities Schiff heads to London for filming on Michael Keaton starrer American Assassin, for which Schiff wrote the screenplay. Former HBO drama head Michael Ellenberg corralled Silbermann to congratulate him on ICM’s new offices atop its Century City tower.

Also making the rounds were top-tier executives including Casey Bloys, Channing Dungey and Roy Price, joined by California Attorney General Kamala Harris. Other guests included Tatiana Maslany, Bradley Whitford, Amy Landecker, Christopher Lloyd, Chip Johannessen, Salim Akil, Mara Brock Akil, Scott Foley, Famke Janssen, Dule Hill and Walton Goggins, and many more.

WME Celebrates Emmys With Rooftop Soiree

WME, which took over the new rooftop Catch restaurant in West Hollywood, made Eleven stay up late (Stranger Things actress Millie Bobby Brown was chatting with agent Richard Weitz and her parents at 12:15 am). Guests nibbling on sushi, wagyu beef tacos and mini pizzas included Turner's Kevin Reilly, A&E's Nancy Dubuc, Joel McHale, Donald Glover, Larry David, Josh Gad, Maria Menounos, Max Greenfield and wife Tess Sanchez, Emmy Nominee Aziz Ansari and George R.R. Martin, who held court on an outdoor banquette for most of the night.

CAA Draws Top Execs to Bouchon Gathering

CAA returned to Bouchon in Beverly Hills, where Thomas Keller's food took center stage: separate bars for raw seafood, cheese and meats supplemented an open kitchen, provided for maximum grazing. Disney/ABC TV's Ben Sherwood arrived with his new hire, TV Academy president and new Disney TV business operations chief Bruce Rosenblum. Showtime's David Nevins was spotted at the bar, and other attendees included NBC Universal's Bonnie Hammer, Bill Maher, Ken Ziffren, Amazon's Roy Price and Seth MacFarlane (a WME client!).

Gersh Agency Toasts Nominees With Classy Backyard Party

9:30 p.m. At the top of the steep, sloped driveway of the (classic and elegant) home of senior managing partner Leslie Siebert and husband, manager Steven Siebert, stands Amy Landecker and boyfriend Bradley Whitford. The duo, who admit that they both aren't Gersh clients, stopped by to say hello to the actress's Transparent costar Jeffrey Tambor (a Gersh client) who has yet to arrive. They're off to the Women in Film event at Gracias Madre. 

9:44 p.m.  Jeffrey Tambor arrives, too late for Landecker, but just in time to be greeted by a swarm of revelers eager to congratulate him on his eighth Emmy nomination and second in a row for playing Maura Pfefferman on Jill Soloway's critically-acclaimed Emmy-nominated series on Amazon. (If you haven't read this glowing review of Season 3 fresh out of TIFF, click here. Tambor has, he says.) The actor, accompanied by his wife Kasia, hugs actress Kate Walsh and then reaches for a beef slider from a smiling server standing over his right shoulder. Bob and Linda Gersh are not far away, holding court with a group of friends. Kasia then asks her husband if he'd like to find a place to sit down on one of the plush white sofas. He says yes. 

2nd party: Gersh @ Leslie Sieberts in Little Holmby. That's @jeffreytambor @katewalsh (in @sergiorossi gladiators) pic.twitter.com/Emmxyog2Up

— Chris Gardner (@chrissgardner) September 17, 2016

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9:54 p.m. Walsh stops for a quick chat with THR before weaving her way through the party, where she is later seen chatting with Gersh agent Alex Yarosh. "This is the best house party," Walsh says. "The way to do Emmy weekend is just to commit and go in. It's great because we get to see old friends, and you have the opportunity to tell people that you love their work." So, whose work does she love? "I love Jeffrey Tambor and my friend Amy Landecker on Transparent. I am obsessed with Girls, Broad City and Amy Schumer. It's a great time for women." (It's also a great time for her Sergio Rossi gladiator stems, for which she receives many compliments on throughout the night.)

10 p.m. Today's date, Sept. 17, is the date of the Siebert's backyard bash, but it's also the birthday of Leslie's longtime client Kyle Chandler. The actor has more to celebrate this weekend other than turning 51 — he's nominated in the outstanding lead actor in a drama series category for his work on Bloodline. But to make sure that Chandler's birthday received the attention it deserved on this night, Leslie joined his longtime manager Cynthia Pett-Dante to present him with a chocolate mousse cake in the middle of the party. Clutching a glass of Brett Ratner's Hilhaven Lodge Whiskey and standing next to a smiling Andi MacDowell, Chandler blew out the one birthday candle lit on top and hugged his reps. 

10:12 p.m. Tambor looks happy, seated comfortably on one of those plush white sofas. 

10:42 p.m. Steven Siebert tells THR that he and his wife threw and Oscar party years ago (in 2005), but hosting an Emmy party is something that the veteran Gersh rep has always wanted to do. "Now the TV business and the Emmys are way more fun than the Oscars," he laughs, adding that the prep work for the party included some updates on their home, hiring Ally Bernstein and her Branding Bee and creating the right mix of people. But also food: Steven dishes that one of the main features of their backyard is their custom pizza oven, which is currently being operated by the pizza wiz, Max, who hails from Cecconi's in West Hollywood. "He's the best and will make any kind of pizza," he says. Dexter creator James Manos Jr. jumps in and says that the lamb chops are the best he's ever had. "I'm Greek, too, so that's a big compliment," Manos Jr. jokes. "The Sieberts are the greatest hosts I've met in a really long time." 

Best #emmys16 party accessory? Backyard pizza oven ?? pic.twitter.com/pQ7kX1SP93

— Chris Gardner (@chrissgardner) September 17, 2016

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10:51 p.m. As for Leslie, she admits that its stressful hosting a big, backyard Emmy bash for the very first time. But it's also fun. "That's why I've only had drinks and no food," she laughs, right before jumping into the photo booth (situated in a back guest house off the pool) with friends Bernstein and sisters Cynthia Pett-Dante and Andrea Pett-Joseph. 

10:52 p.m. "So far it's great," Pett-Joseph tells THR of her Emmy weekend, just hours in. "It's so much fun here that I don't need to go to any other parties. My Sunday night is going to be chill. I will be watching in my sweats and it's going to be fun rooting for everyone who is nominated." 

10:54 p.m. Pett-Dante has changed into flip-flops because, as she says, she lives around the corner and wanted to be comfortable walking home. "We're neighbors, so it's easy," she smiles. 

10:56 p.m. Pockets of partiers have formed dancing circles throughout the party as people start to really let loose, behavior which has likely been encouraged by World Class™ cocktails crafted by mixologist Tyson Buhler featuring Ketel One Vodka, Tequila Don Julio and Tanqueray Gin. Helping soak up the alcohol were parting gifts in the form of perfectly-packaged macaroons from industry power spot Bouchon. 

David Gersh, Emily Deschanel and Bob Gersh attend the Gersh Emmy Party at a private residence on Sept. 16 in Los Angeles.

Steven Siebert, Actor Courtney B. Vance and actress Angela Bassett attend the Gersh Emmy Party at a private residence on Sept. 16 in Los Angeles.
 

Mary J. Blige (right) and Tasha Smith attend the Gersh Emmy Party at a private residence on Sept. 16 in Los Angeles.

Joannie Burstein, Kasia Tambor, Leslie Siebert and Jeffrey Tambor attend the Gersh Emmy Party at a private residence on Sept. 16 in Los Angeles.

Actors Amy Landecker, Bradley Whitford and a guest attend the Gersh Emmy Party at a private residence on Sept. 16 in Los Angeles.

TV Academy Applauds Actors at Performers Nominee Reception

7;42 p.m. Emmy nominee Melissa Leo (All the Way) arrives to the party and walks inside the Pacific Design Center. Upon checking in, the Oscar winning actress asks her guest if they should take the elevator or the escalator up to Spectra on the third floor. They pick the escalator, but the second floor one isn't working, forcing guests with and without a nomination to climb the non-moving metal steps. 

View from inside @PDCdesigncenter heading into Performers Nominee Reception #Emmys2016 @Audi pic.twitter.com/DJUvWsawtH

— Chris Gardner (@chrissgardner) September 17, 2016

7;54 p.m. Transparent executive producer Andrea Sperling is standing near the bar inside Wolfgang Puck's Spectra and even though it's her second best comedy series nomination in a row, the veteran producer says the honor is still thrilling. "I am very excited about the weekend," she says, before revealing that her schedule for the evening also includes a pit stop at the Women in Film event at nearby Gracias Madre. Even with a packed weekend schedule, Sperling says she will fit in a few workouts to stay healthy. "I try not to drink too much either, and get plenty of sleep. Tomorrow, I will go to spin class and then Sunday, I will do Crossfit at NoHo FitDEQ."

7:58 p.m. Longtime agent Adrienne Berg is standing next to a radiant Melora Hardin, an actress she used to represent. But Berg, who worked as a rep at CESD, is now retired for going on three years. "I first met Melora because my son Andrew had a crush on her," Berg laughs. "I've known her for a long time and she's so talented." As for how she's spending her retirement, Berg gushes that she "gardens, goes to the gym, sees other agents and friends. I'm free! I'm really living the life." 

8:02 p.m. Fresh from his Emmy win for outstanding reality TV host, a smiling RuPaul Charles of Project Runway says he's still not sure how the shiny gold accessory will change his life. "I went to work the next morning at 6 a.m. and I have been working ever since," Charles admits. "And I'm here tonight looking for the next job." He's serious, but his description of what he hopes the next gig will be just might make anyone laugh. "I'll do whatever the client wants. This is a company town and whatever the client wants, the client gets," he quips. I live here for a reason. I want to do some business." Part of good business is showing good manners in doling out congratulations when it's due. But not everyone has been sending flowers to the veteran host's door. "I'm not surprised by the people I have heard from, it's the people I haven't heard from who have surprised me the most," Charles explains, before smiling, "But that's cool. We cool." 

8:06 p.m. Second-time nominee Niecy Nash explains her wellness strategy for the weekend: "I drink green tea and take a multi-vitamin and drink champagne. No wait, what? The champagne part might not be for wellness. But seriously, as long as my husband is by my side, I'm good." 

8:08 p.m. American Crime nominee Regina King tells THR that she's "so glad the weekend is finally here. You can put that in all caps," she laughs. As for how she's keeping the momentum up, the actress says, "Trying to drink as much water as possible and keep the wine in moderation; wine is to relax and the water is necessary." Just then, her costar Felicity Huffman, a fellow nominee, walks up to say hello. "We are so dialed up with one another we pulled up tonight at the same time," she jokes. Speaking of pulling, who do they hope to see make it to the Emmy stage on Sunday night? "We are pulling for us," King jokes. "And if not us, Sarah Paulson." Huffman continues, "We're equally excited about that other American Crime show with the same name as ours." 

8:26 p.m. The TV Academy presents the certificate ceremony during which all the present nominees take the stage to accept a nomination certificate. See videos below (and pay special attention to rousing applause received by the performers from The People vs. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story). Many of the nominees head for the door immediately following the ceremony, while the other guests beeline for the buffets because the food is always popular at any Puck party.

Porky Pig denied entry into TV Academy. This happened. #Emmys2016 @LilyTomlin pic.twitter.com/SsGKGnl3NN

— Chris Gardner (@chrissgardner) September 17, 2016

Nominees take stage for certificate ceremony. #Emmys2016 pic.twitter.com/Vy59q0pI09

— Chris Gardner (@chrissgardner) September 17, 2016

Huge applause for @TitussBurgess and @RuPaul #Emmys2016 pic.twitter.com/spi6NsxuIZ

— Chris Gardner (@chrissgardner) September 17, 2016

They keep coming like a cool, talented kids graduation & everyone loves homecoming queen @LilyTomlin #Emmys2016 pic.twitter.com/iMkGkIq0Y3

— Chris Gardner (@chrissgardner) September 17, 2016

Huge

UTA Throws Mexican-Themed Bash

Partner Jay Sures hosted a Mexican-themed soirée at his Brentwood compound complete with "Mescal Mules," squash blossom quesadillas, a taco and Mexican pizza bar, and roving tequila baristas in Sonoran dresses (above).

Guests included Jason Segel, Elizabeth Banks, director Jack Bender, comedy Central's Kent Alterman, NBC's Jennifer Salke and Fox's Bert Salke.

Audi Kicks Off Emmy Weekend at New Catch Outpost

The West Coast outpost of the popular New York City seafood eatery is an event planner’s dream with a spacious floor plan and a retractable roof offering West Hollywood’s newest rooftop patio. Many of Audi’s guests (including some nominees) arrived in style in the company’s cars, including the 2017 Audi Q7.

7:14 p.m. They’ve been dubbed both a New York City power couple and an “It Couple,” but on Thursday night, Hannah Bronfman (yes, of that Bronfman family) and fiance Brendan Fallis snagged another title: The first guests to walk down the gray carpet. The duo made the trek to the West Coast to post up on the turn tables overseeing the night’s music, a task they admit doesn't cause any turmoil in their relationship. “We share a library so it’s not that tough to work together,” Fallis tells The Hollywood Reporter. “We work on one person’s computer, off the same library.” And despite their East Coast cred, Bronfman says they don’t edit their playlists that much when they come to L.A. “West Coasters have a great musical knowledge because they spend so much time in their cars,” she praises. Continues Fallis: “The Internet has made music accessible across the board. I used to wonder what we would hear when we went to Southeast Asia, but you hear the same stuff there – Beyonce, Taylor Swift and Bieber.”

DJs Brendan Fallis and Hannah Bronfman, wearing Cinq à Sept, attend 'Audi Celebrates the 68th Emmys' at Catch L.A. on Sept. 15, 2016. (Photo by Jonathan Leibson/Getty Images for Audi)

7:25 p.m. Elizabeth Banks arrives and tells THR that she’s “excited to be at the Audi party tonight,” but she seems almost as stoked about her Sunday night plans. She won’t be taking in the Emmys from the Microsoft Theater in downtown L.A. but rather in a much more cozy setting. “I’m going to a party tomorrow, and then I’m going to be watching from home on Sunday in my pajamas,” she reveals. “I can’t wait.” The multi-hyphenate then has the same answer for what show she hopes to see win Emmy gold on Sunday and what TV series she would love to guest star on: “Veep and Veep,” she laughs.

Zach Braff and Elizabeth Banks attend 'Audi Celebrates the 68th Emmys' at Catch L.A. on Sept. 15, 2016. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Audi)

7:32 p.m. The Good Wife actress Carrie Preston makes her way down the carpet. She received her second nomination for outstanding guest actress this year, after winning for her work on the series in 2013. “Once you get one of those,” she explains. “It’s like, phew, I’ve gotten that done. No matter what happens in the rest of my life, that happened already (laughs). I’m blessed and I feel grateful.”

7:38 p.m. Also expressing gratitude is Melora Hardin, who received her first Emmy nomination for her work on Transparent. “I sound like a Pollyanna, but I’m so grateful to be a part of a show that is doing good in the world,” she says. “Besides offering this incredible character that I have enjoyed backwards and forwards, the show is good people with good vision doing good things and opening people’s minds in the process. It inspires and transforms people’s thinking and helps them expand their view, something that helps people get over their prejudice. And it does this by being a show which, at its core, is a show about a family.” Speaking of family, the actress then delivers a quick answer for this question: Where’s the real party this weekend? “At home in my bedroom with my husband. That’s where the real party is.”

Lots of great interviews on #AudiEmmys redcarpet tonight incl one with lovely @transparent_tv nom @MeloraHardin pic.twitter.com/o3B7kBobaS

— Chris Gardner (@chrissgardner) September 16, 2016

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7:41 p.m. Actress Julie Benz makes her way down the carpet before going upstairs to the roof (via elevator). But first, she waxes nostalgic on Showtime’s Dexter, which is nearing its 10th anniversary. “I remember when I read the pilot script,” she recalls. “I knew from the first moment that it was going to be a hit. And then I had to fight tooth and nail to get the part. I loved that the show lived in the gray. Nothing was black and white. You found yourself falling in love with a serial killer. But he’s a serial killer. And that made you question your moral code.” She’s having a similar dilemma right now shooting the CBS series Training Day, which is “an anti-buddy cop show.” “You find yourself rooting for this guy who is a dirty cop. And I play a Hollywood madam who is a very edgy character. Holly is a very smart businesswoman but she deals in flesh. I walk the line with her all the time.”

8:07 p.m. Emmy winner Tony Hale arrives. While the Veep star is often praised for his comic timing and the show’s armload of trophies, Hale was ready to dole out compliments to the unsung heroes of Emmys weekend. “The people who don’t get a lot of credit are the people who put together these parties,” he says. “The lighting designers, the caterers, the florists, the event planners, especially the ones who work for HBO. It’s crazy what they put into it. It’s so good. They create it out of nothing. It’s a blank space and they just build up a city with this party in the middle of what feels like nowhere.” It’s actually across the street from where he’s standing in the heart of West Hollywood, and that’s part of the magic that has him under a spell. “These are parties I never thought I’d be invited to. The whole thing is nuts. My sister is coming in town for the weekend so it’s really fun to see it through her eyes and share it with her. It’s very fun,” he says.

8:12 p.m. Is it possible to find an Emmy nominee who is convinced that they won’t win? Yes, it totally is. Enter Dana Brunetti. He's got multiple Oscar and Emmy nominations under his belt, but he's sure that he won't take home any gold on Sunday night for producing the best drama series nominee House of Cards. “We don’t have a chance,” he laughs to THR. “It’s already done. I think Kevin (Spacey) and Robin (Wright) have a chance, but us as a show, we don’t. There’s so much good television right now that it’s just a great field to be a part of.” The category also includes Homeland, The Americans, Mr. Robot, Game of Thrones, Better Call Saul and Downton Abbey. “I don’t necessarily have a pick of who will win, but I really like and enjoy Mr. Robot. Game of Thrones I am obsessed with. To be in that group is amazing. I love our show but these things are pretty much called way, way out.”

8:31 p.m. Reggie Watts posts up by the DJ booth, rocking out in suspenders and dancing by himself to Nelly's hit "Ride With Me."

8:33 p.m. Speaking of Mr. Robot, its star Rami Malek arrives and makes his way down the press line, where he is greeted by The Late Late Show With James Corden musical director Reggie Watts, who praises Malek’s work on the show and the ending of a recent episode.

Cute red carpet fan moment at #AudiEmmys as @reggiewatts gushes to @ItsRamiMalek about how much he ?? @whoismrrobot pic.twitter.com/CR4V83ZXhA

— Chris Gardner (@chrissgardner) September 16, 2016

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8:34 p.m. Malek tells a journalist that he’s stoked to go to the HBO party on Sunday night, just like everyone else in town. “I used to do a show for HBO called The Pacific, and they always throw the best parties,” he admits. He then reveals that he’s buddies with Emmy Awards host Jimmy Kimmel, so he’ll likely text the lovable late night host to see where his private after party is.

8:36 p.m. Kathryn Burns won an Emmy last weekend at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards ceremony where she was honored for her choreography skills on CW's Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. The win made her part of history as the first Emmy winner ever on a CW-created show, along with Kabir Akhtar who took home a trophy for outstanding single-camera editing on the same critically-acclaimed comedy. But Burns and her special distinction weren't enough to keep the attention of one red carpet reporter, who, while interviewing Burns, interrupted her mid-sentence to shout at speed-walking Sarah Hyland in an effort to get the Modern Family actress to stop and chat. Manners aren't always utilized on the carpet, and, just like her award-winning work, Burns took the unprofessional slip in graceful stride. "Fame and success are relative," Burns later told THR. "When people freak out or get excited, I'm always like, one day at a time. I always try to be kind and do good work because there's always someone more famous and more gorgeous. I'm not trying to compete with that. I'm like, 'Sure, right, go for it. If you want to talk to her – go for it! She looks great.' That's why I like choreography because I like to let other people shine."

8:38 p.m. Cuba Gooding Jr., nominated for his work playing O.J. Simpson, weaves through the party with a small entourage on a mission. "At least we found the bar," the Oscar winner says to his pals. "Wait, is this a bar?" Yep, it's a bar. But he leaves before ordering a drink, heading to the back corner where Mary J. Blige is holding court. His friends follow through with the mission and order cocktails before meeting back up. 

Emmy nominee Cuba Gooding Jr. attends 'Audi Celebrates the 68th Emmys' at Catch L.A. on Sept. 15, 2016. (Photo by Jonathan Leibson/Getty Images for Audi)

8:44 p.m. One of the more popular guests at the party — seen granting multiple selfie requests with fans — is Joe Keery who played Steve on Netflix's breakout hit Stranger Things. His character proved to be one of the more unlikable ones on the show, but Keery says "everyone has been so nice to me. Even in Chicago where I live, people stop me on the train, everywhere, and I could understand if they said rude things about my character, but they don't." Lots of people are saying other things about him, most notably commenting on his resemblance to Ben Schwartz's Jean-Ralphio on Parks and Recreation. "I'm a huge fan of his but I've never met him. Jean is my favorite part of Parks and Rec, so I guess it adds up to me being his dad," Keery laughs. 

Author EL James and screenwriter Niall Leonard attend 'Audi Celebrates the 68th Emmys' at Catch L.A. on Sept. 15, 2016. (Photo by Jonathan Leibson/Getty Images for Audi)

8:59 p.m. Management 360's Chris Huvane holds court at a reserved table with Zach Braff, who also happens to be an investor in Catch. So does that mean the actor will always get a reserved sign on his table? "I f—ing better," he laughs. "I know you can't print that, but I f—ing bettter." Consider it printed. The likable multi-hyphenate seems stoked about seeing his investment property swarmed with revelers. "The food at Catch New York is so amazing — it's one of my favorite restaurants in the city," he explains. "It just so happens that it also has a fun party atmosphere. So these guys, who are friends of mine, finally brought the concept to L.A. at a great time because West Hollywood is need of what they've created — a giant, fun events space with a retractable roof. It’s so beautiful and when they asked me to be a part of it, I said without a doubt. I’m going to be eating here all the time anyway."

Guests are pictured inside 'Audi Audi Celebrates the 68th Emmys' at Catch L.A. on Sept. 15, 2016. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Audi)

9:15 p.m. Model/singer/social media phenomenon Don Benjamin stands a few feet away from Braff, and confirms the hot spot status of the East Coast Catch. "It's one of my favorite places to have drinks," he confirms, joined at the bash by a female friend and his brother Raji. "My friend deejays there. "It's always hot, but I don't usually eat the food because I'm drinking." 

9:22 p.m. Justin Bieber's rumored teenaged squeeze Sofia Richie makes her way by the valet and toward the entrance to the party, wearing a white bandana tied around her head. Alas, no Bieber on her arm. 

Sofia Richie attends 'Audi Celebrates the 68th Emmys' at Catch L.A. on Sept. 15, 2016. (Photo by John Sciulli/Getty Images for Audi)
 

How's that for branding? #AudiEmmys shines their light on @PDCdesigncenter during tonight's party pic.twitter.com/Vv35oD59Yh

— Chris Gardner (@chrissgardner) September 16, 2016

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