They say it’s an honor just to be nominated, and until those envelopes were opened at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards, everyone was a winner during a weekend of festivities celebrating the best of television.
It was gridlock on the red carpet Friday night at the Pacific Design Center as dozens of boldface names made their way up to the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Performer Nominees Reception.
The annual cocktail and dinner event– despite the star wattage– always seems to sport a low-key, friends and family vibe, a place where everyone can mix and mingle without feeling the pressure of a major scene.
And yes, it all does start at the bar, free-flowing with libations from sponsors Beaulieu Vineyard and Grey Goose Vodka, before guests move on to the dinner buffet created by renowned chef Wolfgang Puck.
Those imbibing in the Napa varietals will note that this is the ninth consecutive year BV wines have been featured at the Emmy celebrations and the seventh year Beaulieu Vineyard has been the proud Official Wine Sponsor of ATAS.
The indoor/outdoor venue was perfect for a very hot late summer night, for dining alfresco on the fourth floor terrace with a great city view.
When it came time for the official part of the evening, all of the actors formed a scrum at stage left, schmoozing and for some–and not to violate anyone’s privacy– smoking. It’s a prevalent habit, especially among the UK contingent.
ATAS chief Bruce Rosenblum called each one individually to shake their hand and present them with a certificate honoring their nomination for they moved on to a hug with Lily Tomlin and a photo op.
And the participants were: Anna Gunn (Breaking Bad) – Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series
- Archie Panjabi (The Good Wife) – Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series
- Ben Feldman (Mad Men) – Outstanding Guest Actor In A Drama Series
- Brendan Coyle (Downton Abbey) – Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series
- Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad) – Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series, Outstanding Drama Series
- Christina Hendricks (Mad Men) – Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series
- Connie Britton (American Horror Story) – Outstanding Lead Actress In A Miniseries Or A Movie
- Damian Lewis (Homeland) – Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series
- Dan Povenmire (Phineas And Ferb) – Outstanding Short-Format Animated Program & Outstanding Voice-Over Performance
- Dot-Marie Jones (Glee) – Outstanding Guest Actress In A Comedy Series
- Elisabeth Moss (Mad Men) – Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series
- Eric Stonestreet (Modern Family) – Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series
- Giancarlo Esposito (Breaking Bad) –; Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series
- Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey) – Outstanding Actor In A Drama Series
- Jason Ritter (Parenthood) – Outstanding Guest Actor In A Drama Series
- Jean Smart (Harry’s Law) – Outstanding Guest Actress In A Drama Series
- Jim Carter (Downton Abbey) – Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series
- Joanne Froggatt (Downton Abbey) – Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series
- Julie Bowen (Modern Family) – Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series
- Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Veep) – Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series & Outstanding Comedy Series
- Lena Dunham (Girls) – Outstanding Lead Actress, Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Directing For A Comedy Series, & Outstanding Writing For A Comedy Series
- Martin Freeman (Sherlock: A Scandal In Belgravia) – Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Miniseries Or A Movie
- Max Greenfield (New Girl) – Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series
- Melissa McCarthy (Mike & Molly) – Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series & Outstanding Guest Actress In A Comedy Series (as Host of Saturday Night Live)
- Michelle Dockery (Downton Abbey) – Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series
- Rob Riggle (Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice) – Outstanding Voice-Over Performance
- Sarah Paulson (Game Change) – Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Miniseries Or A Movie
- Sofia Vergara (Modern Family) –; Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series
- Tom Berenger (Hatfields & McCoys) – Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Miniseries Or A Movie
- Ty Burrell (Modern Family) – Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series
- Zooey Deschanel (New Girl) – Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Seri
PEOPLE Magazine and United Airlines also sponsored the event, which was designed and produced by Sequoia Productions.
