Emmy party recap: Closing out the night with HBO

HBO's Emmy parties have become the stuff of legend over the years and last night's over-the-top affair was no exception. It might as well have been an Enron party just before the fall.

A huge tent was set up at the Pacific Design Center and there were rows of elevated stages above several dance floors where gregarious bands played upbeat music. An enormous red-hued chandelier hung above the room and a large moon glowed just above. Hair and makeup suites were filled with sexy women in floor-length gowns and everywhere you looked there was someone to recognize.

Chevy Chase came late; Stephen Moyer, Sam Trammell and Ryan Kwantan from "True Blood" roamed the room, as did Jermaine Clement and Bret McKenzie of "Flight of the Conchords." Kathy Griffin joked with friends and Gossip Girls Blake Lively and Leighton Meester turned heads.

Also enjoying the big night's afterglow were Toni Collette and Jessica Lange, both with their Emmys in hand. "Big Love's" Chloe Sevigny and Ginnifer Goodwin kept low profiles, and Patricia Arquette looked gorgeous in a floor-length off-the-shoulder black dress.

Toward the front of the room, looking exhausted but extremely content, if not somewhat stunned, was a very handsome Jon Hamm, taking pictures with his girlfriend, writer/actress Jennifer Westfeldt. When asked how he would feel in the morning after his big win he shook his head and said, "I can't even think about waking up." 

-- Jessica Gelt

Photo: Jon Hamm, looking exhausted but extremely content. Credit: Terry Case