Though Sunday marked the first day of fall, L.A.'s Shrine Auditorium faced a summer scorcher on Emmy day. Outside on the red carpet, the paparazzi were likelier to catch stars swooning from sun stroke than posing in their finery! Even TV Guide Online's roving reporter could be heard crying out for Evian. (Hey, you try sporting an Oscar de la Renta tux in hundred-degree heat.) Nevertheless, the mood was mighty festive, as celebrities chit-chatted and pulled for their TV faves.

Oprah Winfrey nearly outshone Emmy's glitter in her golden Bradley Bayou gown. The talk-show queen — and Bob Hope Humanitarian Award honoree — was rooting for multiple-nominee Six Feet Under. "Because it's not television, it's HBO," she quipped. "At Emmy season, there's nothing like it. Heart, drama... it has everything."

Few gals can pull off lime green, but statuesque beauty Joan Allen actually did it in her billowy Randolph Duke frock. Brava, brave Joan! "Maybe I'll get to meet Ozzy Osbourne," the Mists of Avalon star hoped. "That would be a little nerve-wracking." As if on cue, screaming fans signaled the arrival of MTV's famous family of freaks. As they rushed down the carpet — Ozzy and his brood were late, of course — Kelly boasted that her mangled black frock was '70s vintage. Asked if she would behave herself on TV's biggest night, the pop tart brattily replied: "No." (Hey, at least she didn't cuss.)

Speaking of MTV, this year's VMAs host Jimmy Fallon was glad Conan O'Brien would have to emcee this awards show. "It's such a relief, man," the SNL star laughed. "I'm so psyched. If the show's not moving along fast, I can fall asleep. But no, I'm going to do what I want my audience to do when I'm hosting — I'm going to clap and laugh at everything Conan says. He's a funny dude."

Just then, American Idol judge Paula Abdul sashayed by, wearing heavy eyeliner comprised of sparkling rhinestones. "I don't even feel the heat," she smiled, "but check back in ten minutes. They might have melted off my face by then. It's hot out here!" (By the way, Paula's "still in discussion" about coming back for AI2 next year.) A fellow lady in distress was Will & Grace's Megan Mullally. She wasn't full of her usual bubbly banter. In fact, this nominee was so nervous, she dropped her purse twice!

Later, the always jovial John Spencer(The West Wing) was asked which celeb he most looked forward to meeting. His prescient answer? "A golden statue named Emmy." In fact, he did snag best supporting actor in a drama just an hour later!

Another Mists of Avalon nominee, Anjelica Huston, also had us under her spell. "We made the movie two years ago," she said, "and I guess we missed last year's Emmy [deadline] by a whisper, so I was surprised to be nominated for Mists this year." Why does Huston — who made The Witches before playing a sorceress of Arthurian legend — keep playing witchy women? "I love to play the nasty roles," she grinned. "Somebody's gotta do it!"

"Wearing Hugo Boss and feelin' good" was The Shield's Michael Chiklis, who happily showered kudos on Sex and the City's Cynthia Nixon. "I congratulated her twice!" he gushed. "For her nomination and her pregnancy. A little showbiz life, a little real life." Despite his tough-guy image, Chiklis said he loves watching Sex with his wife: "We get a boot in the ass out of it!"