INTO THE NIGHT

The Scene: Music industry bash Wednesday night at Universal Studios after MTV’s video awards. Guests with coveted party passes swarmed the lot, but only Chosen Ones with red passes got into the heavily guarded party-within-a-party off to the side.

The Buzz: At the B party, guests schemed to get into the A party; at the A party, they tried to find the rumored A+ party. Record execs were in high-shmooze gear (“Listen, I’d like to talk to you about this video”), and speculation centered on whether next year’s awards would have a Best Androgynous Video category.

Who was there: At the A party: singers Jody Watley (with arm around Andre Cymone), Cyndi Lauper, Billy Idol, Guns N’ Roses, Michael Des Barres, Los Lobos, DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, the Fat Boys; award show host Arsenio Hall; actors Eric Roberts, Tracy Camilla Johns, Melanie Griffith, Jon Lovitz, Paul Reiser, Khrystyne Haje, the ubiquitous Judd Nelson; model and record contract hopeful Attila; Julie Brown (the singer) and Julie Brown (the veejay); magicians Penn and Teller. At the B party: everyone else.

Dress mode: Did someone say the mini was out? Women poured themselves into teensy-weensy dresses (add high heels and tattoos for a sophisticated look). Men opted for ponytails, earrings and dreadlocks or heavy-metal Farrah Fawcett dos. Record execs went biblical: long bushy hair, beard and a Hugo Boss suit.

Worst food concept: Soggy nachos topped with vivid orange melted processed cheese food and canned salsa. Who said rockers were gourmets?

Best overheard quote: “I think these are very un important people,” sniffed an A party guest.

Entertainment: Videos, celebrities, making significant eye contact with celebrities, acting too cool to make significant eye contact with celebrities.

Triumphs: A decent number of celebs--not an easy feat with rock ‘n’ rollers, who usually dash for the limo and some private party.

Glitches: Groupies managed to crash the A party. “Give me your pen! Give me your pen! I’ll get you Cyndi Lauper’s autograph!” demanded one.

All eyes turned when: Eric Roberts hoisted Elvira into his arms.