HBO’s Emmy Party at the Pacific Design Center was its usual classy self, lots of tables filled with wine glasses and Emmys right beside each other. The “Game Of Thrones,” gang was obviously in full swing, after winning Best Dramatic series and more. But leave it to Amy Schumer –flanked by her loyal sister Kim Caramele and boyfriend Ben Hanisch–to also be at the center of the action.
Back on the red carpet, the E! Channel’s Guiliana Rancic had asked Amy who she was wearing. Amy replied, “I’m wearing Vivienne Westwood, Tom Ford shoes and an O.B. tampon!”
At the HBO gala– the annual gathering place for everyone who’s anyone in TV after the Emmys– Chris Rock told her that it was “hilarious!” Amy loudly proclaimed, “Ok, that’s it, I’m making a tampon joke every time I go out.”
Winner John Oliver then chimed in, “please do!”
“Game Of Thrones” stars Emilia Clarke and Nikolaj Coster Waldau happened to be at next table, looked up at her and cracked up. Kit Harington bought his parents as his dates, no ex-co star now girlfriend Rose Leslie in sight. They sat with Peter Dinklage as more of the GOT cast milled about. Bryan Cranston, nominated for his LBJ portrayal in “All The Way,” was nearby with his wife Robin Dearden and daughter Taylor, who are each actresses. I asked him if he would still play Trump, as he told me awhile ago. “Hell yeah, but still don’t want him to win though.”
The “Veep” crowd is always fun and open. Julia Louis Dreyfus– who gave that emotional speech dedicated to her late father–was obviously more low key. She celebrated the show’s win for Best Comedy and her own for Lead Actress, but didn’t stay too long at the party. “Veep” nominee Tony Hale told me that another season of “Arrested Development,” on Netflix is still being talked about, that writer Mitchell Hurwitz still wants it to happen. Sam Richardson, who hilariously plays Richard Splett on the show, told me that besides “Veep,” he’s going to be on Comedy Central’s “Detroiters,” on which Keegan-Michael Key and Malcolm Jamal Warner will guest star.
Talented Keegan was there as well accepting congrats for his win for Best Variety Show. “Modern Family’s “ lovely Ariel Winter told me how “completely wonderful,” it was to work with Burt Reynolds, in director/writer Adam Rifkin’s much talked about upcoming film, the dark comedy “Dog Years.” She didn’t know Burt in the bad old days!
Around the room– John Travolta and Kelly Preston, each maintaining their hair, were photographed holding an Emmy John got for having a producer’s credit. Sterling K. Brown, the night’s most popular winner, beamed radiantly holding his (he beat Travolta) for Best Supporting Actor in “The People vs. OJ Simpson.”
Vice founder Shane Smith told me, “I just had two reporters arrested at a Trump rally, we’re still on his ass.” The music went on all night. Hipster Jaden Smith and casual Anne Heche were whooping it up on the dance floor, along with other energetic guests like Kerry Washington, Tony Goldwyn, Luke Hemsworth, Tracee Ellis Ross, Hank Azaria, Heidi Klum and Vito Schnabel, Minnie Driver, Emmy Rossum, and so many more. The HBO Emmy party is the equivalent of the Vanity Fair Oscar party. So Beyoncé, even though a seat was saved for you for your “Lemonade,” the HBO party, always the most sought after Emmy party year after year, went on just fine without you!
