Showtime's 'Emmy Eve' party: Calm before the storm of trophies

Showtime’s ‘Emmy Eve’ party: Calm before the storm of trophies

By Jessica Gelt

Sept. 24, 2012 12 AM PT

Showtime threw a relaxed and low-key pre-Emmy party on Saturday night at the Sunset Tower that gave no hint of the excitement that would unfold for the network at the ceremony the following evening.

The fete kicked off at 7 with red carpet arrivals including Damian Lewis and Claire Danes (wearing a stunning turquoise Jason Wu dress), who would soon win the Emmys for lead actor and actress in a drama series. “Homeland” would also take the award for outstanding drama series in what is being lauded as a sweep for the show and a coup for the Showtime network.

“Nurse Jackie” star Edie Falco, Michael C. Hall, Don Cheadle of “House of Lies,” Beau Bridges of “Masters of Sex,” Jennifer Carpenter and “Homeland’s” Mandy Patinkin were also present and treated to a lovely half-hour set by Grammy winner John Legend, who played piano in a foyer with wide French doors that opened onto a sparkling pool overlooking the city lights below.

“Dexter” star Hall spent most of his time talking quietly with his new girlfriend, the petite and svelte Morgan Macgregor, an associate editor at the Los Angeles Review of Books. The pair left the patio holding hands, with Hall’s costar and ex-wife Carpenter nowhere in sight.

Also holding hands were Bridges and his wife of 28 years, Wendy Treece. The pair held court at a poolside table with four or five friends, laughing and talking until the party began to clear around 10:30 p.m.

Until then, Champagne flowed freely and there was plenty of fresh salmon with asparagus and mini-cupcakes to go around. Next year, Showtime might feel the need to show off a bit more, but on Saturday its humble sensibility suited the network just fine.

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