Primetime Emmy Awards 2008

TV's Big Night

By Oliver Jones, Elaine Aradillas, Shayna Rose Arnold, Carrie Bell, Shruti Dhalwala, Jed Dreben, Scott Huver, Lisa Ingrassia, Amy Elisa Keith, Eunice Oh, Beth Perry, Monica Rizzo, Cynthia Wang, Nicholas White

Update Monday October 06, 2008 01:00 AM EDT Originally posted Monday October 06, 2008 01:00 AM EDT

Look at that—she's got three!" Alec Baldwin playfully crowed at his 30 Rock leading lady Tina Fey, the evening's big winner with a triple Emmy haul. "This is a good time for Tina." She wasn't the only one having a great night. Nominee Christina Applegate wowed her colleagues in the Nokia Theatre—and viewers at home—with her grace and strength just two months after her breast cancer diagnosis. "Christina is a tough cookie," says Jean Smart, who took home a trophy for playing Applegate's mom on Samantha Who? "She's real strong." Beyond the ceremony's triumphs and gaffes—yes, Tom Bergeron meant to drop fellow cohost Heidi Klum—the 60th Primetime Emmy Awards were equal parts nostalgia (just ask Josh Groban, who gamely shot through 27 classic TV theme songs in just over 4 minutes) and fresh faces (the Best Drama-winning cast of Mad Men). And even before the show had ended, plenty of stars were ready to get the party started. Declared past winner Felicity Huffman, who shared cocktails backstage with Applegate and fellow Desperate Housewife Nicollette Sheridan: "This is the most fun I have had after 6 o'clock in I don't know how long!"

Inside The Green Room
Playing bartender for a group of pals that included Christina Applegate, Sarah Chalke and Felicity Huffman, a newly single Nicollette Sheridan kicked off the night backstage in the Architectural Digest green room by declaring, "Okay, girls, let's go wild!" Also blowing off some steam, Brooke Shields slipped off her heels for a quick break while Jon Stewart invited comedy vet Don Rickles to relax. "Come here, old man," he joked, "have my seat!"

The Parties!

ET/People
The stars relived their '80s glory days at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, where rocker Billy Idol got the crowd on its feet. Brooke Shields joined pals in the VIP area, banging her head along to "Dancing with Myself." Expectant baby mama Amy Poehler and her husband, Will Arnett, stopped by as they party-hopped across town, and parents Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott enjoyed a special date night. "We stayed with [kids Liam and Stella] 'til they went to sleep," said Spelling, "and then came out!"

Entertainment Weekly
The partying began the night before at EW's bash, where 90210 alums Ian Ziering and Jennie Garth reunited—while schmoozing with her hubby, Peter Facinelli, and Eric McCormack.

TV Guide
In the deejay booth, Ronson spun tunes with Lohan at her side, and the happy couple spent time with partygoers Simon Rex and Joey Fatone. Ronson ended the night on a sweet note, playing 'N Sync's "Girlfriend."

Governors Ball
The traditional first post-show stop was a must for winners like surprise best dramatic actor Cranston. "I thought I was the dark horse. Breaking Bad only had seven episodes."

HBO
Best supporting actor Jeremy Piven elevated the party—literally—drumming for a 90-minute-plus jam session from a second-story scaffolding that kept guests dancing until after midnight.

AND EMMY PARTIED ON ...
At Comedy Central's bash at L.A.'s STK restaurant, Stephen Colbert chatted with Kanye West and Jimmy Kimmel, who briefly ran into his ex Sarah Silverman. And how did the ad men from Mad Men celebrate their wins? Partying with pals such as Rachel Griffiths at the exclusive Chateau Marmont.

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