Kyra Sedgwick confesses about Brenda Leigh Johnson [Updated]

"I love, I LOVE her, I loooooove her."

That's Emmy winner Kyra Sedgwick speaking about LAPD Deputy Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson, the character who helped her snag that statue.

However, "I probably wouldn't know how to be friends with someone like Brenda," a woman she calls "incredibly insightful about other people" but "clueless about herself."

With "The Closer" now closed until December and the identity of the new police chief known,  Sedgwick got pulled over by The Times' Patt Morrison for a chat about Brenda and more.

Her character's trip this season through the tough interview process for the top job wasn't exactly a stretch: "Oh honey, I'm in Hollywood," she says. "I'm prepared for that backstabbing!"

And of course there are some perks to being a TV star in L.A., especially one who's linked in spirit to the Los Angeles Police Department. Since the show's been running, she has indeed been stopped by the police, but hasn't taken home a traffic ticket.

"They either say, 'Don't I know you from ... ?' or, 'You should know better!' ... They'll say ... 

Comments of the week: drug charges and smack talk

Sure, sure. The Emmys were Sunday. And we all could have weighed in on, say, "Mad Men's" Rich Sommer and Michael Gladis' pick-up tips or if the Emmys should go 3-D. But isn't it more fun to concentrate on the scandals?

This week in celebrity drug-charges news, people got way opinionated about Paris Hilton's and boyfriend Cy Waits' weekend arrest in Vegas (she for suspicion of possession of cocaine, he for DUI) after police smelled marijuana coming from their car -- even debating the merits of her "oh, this isn't mine" alibi and offering little sympathy when a spokesperson for Las Vegas' Wynn and Encore hotels fired Waits from his job as managing partner of the properties' nightclubs and banned Hilton from staying at those hotels. Oh no, where will the hotel heiress possibly stay next time she's in town?

Star sightings: Behind the scenes at Emmys, at home with Tori and Dean

We've had red carpet coverage and party scoop, but there are still some juicy moments from Emmy weekend you've yet to hear. The Ministry has your sightings from the big show, the weekend in parties and what other celebs did instead of hitting the ceremony.

Backstage at the telecast was the expected madhouse, but nominees, presenters and winners  including Jane Lynch, Ricky Gervais, Matthew Morrison, Sofia Vergara and Edie Falco made a point to stop by the P.F. Chang's Home Menu Frozen Moments Gift Lounge.

Though talent scored gifts like a two-day stay at the St. Regis Monarch Beach, skincare goods from the Body Shop and memberships to Crunch Fitness, they helped in giving a $50,000 donation to the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

P.F. Chang's Home Menu pledged the cash and asked the stars to jot down one moment from their careers they'd like to be frozen in time ("The time I met Elmo," Gervais said).

Certainly, Sunday was a perfect moment for Lea Michele -- the "Glee" star celebrated her birthday in addition to ...

Political hopeful Levi Johnston surfaces at 'ET' Emmy party

Like him or not, it seems fitting that Levi Johnston attend Emmy Awards festivities -- after all, he simply won't stop gunning for a television show of his own.

Attend he did "Entertainment Tonight's" post-Emmy event at Vibiana in downtown Los Angeles, where Cyndi Lauper was tapped to perform for a crowd of winners, nominees and media pros.

Johnston wasn't the only notable pop-culture name to attend -- reality mom Kate Gosselin showed up after appearing in the award ceremony's opening number and even hosted a few segments for "ET's" broadcast from inside the bash. (Click the photo of Emmy-winning writer Dave Boone, with Chris Robinson of "The Office," to launch a gallery of pictures from The Times' Photo Booth at the event.)

Actor Jeremy London stuck to the outdoor patio, gazing at guests like Christina Hendricks and Bryan Batt of "Mad Men," Peter Facinelli of "Nurse Jackie" and "The Twilight Saga," Christopher Meloni of "Law & Order: SVU," LL Cool J of "NCIS: Los Angeles," "SNL" player Ana Gasteyer, "ET" host Laura Spencer, "The Bachelorette" star Ali Fedotowsky and stylist pal Lindsay Albanese.

Guests were treated to a Magnolia Bakery pop-up and a beauty product bar from Neutrogena, and after Lauper's performance danced into the night to the sounds of DJ Samantha Ronson.

-- Matt Donnelly

Twitter.com/MattDonnelly

Left photo: Cyndi Lauper arrives at Vibiana in downtown Los Angeles, where she headlined the "Entertainment Tonight" Emmy after-party on Aug. 29, 2010. Credit: Spencer Weiner / Associated Press

Right photo: Emmy-winning writer Dave Boone with Craig Robinson of "The Office"hit The Times' Photo Booth at the "ET" Emmys after party. Credit: Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times

Get more delicious Emmy Party scoop from the Ministry of Gossip.

Emmy crowd celebrates Starry Night at Governors Ball [updated]

Before breaking off for individual network parties and hotel bar hopping, the stars of Sunday's Emmy Awards payed homage to the TV academy by attending the swanky Governors Ball, just feet away from the Nokia Theatre telecast.

The Los Angeles Convention Center hosted thousands of guests -- winners, nominees and industry types alike -- for a Starry Night-themed bash.

Kevin Bacon and his wife, Kyra Sedgwick, winner for outstanding actress in a drama, were among the first to arrive (toting her Emmy), followed quickly by throngs of show attendees. "Glee" stars Cory Monteith, Amber Riley, Chris Colfer and Mark Salling parked at their table and tucked into salads while Lea Michele roamed the floor star-gazing with a gal pal.

Soon-to-be dads Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka sipped Champagne and waved at the next table to Ryan Murphy, eating dinner with his partner and his gold statue for outstanding director for a comedy series.

"Yeah," Murphy said, motioning to the giant trophy next to his water glass, "I guess I'm doing all right."

While Murphy gushed with praise for his big winner, Jane Lynch, actor and comedian Joel McHale spoke with pride about his peer and this year's Emmys host Jimmy Fallon.

"He killed it, and doing a show this big you have to go in there happy, and yourself," McHale said.

He also touched on one of the night's most memorable moments, the opening number ...

Al Pacino, Claire Danes celebrate their Emmy wins at HBO's star-studded post-party [pictures]

Truth may be stranger than fiction, but it's also more compelling, if the 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards are any indication. Two vastly different individuals -- right-to-die activist Dr. Jack Kevorkian and Temple Grandin, an autism and animal-welfare advocate -– were the toast of HBO's lush post-Emmy party at the Pacific Design Center, along with their Hollywood  doppelgängers -- Al Pacino and Claire Danes -- who took home the gold for their performances in the cable network's biopics "You Don't Know Jack" and "Temple Grandin."

"If it's a good script about a real person, the reality of it, the credibility of it heightens the drama," Pacino said. The controversial Kevorkian had just left the cluster of VIP tables for "You Don't Know Jack," where Susan Sarandon, who played euthanasia advocate Janet Good, sat chatting with friends.

The doctor may not be much of a party boy, but Grandin, who came garbed in a black western shirt and pants, seemed to be enjoying the spotlight.

"It's very, very exciting," she said as she posed for photos with the glamorous Danes, whose actor husband, Hugh Dancy, had stood guard over her Emmy while she made a pit stop.

"The thing is, I have to get back to work," Grandin said. "I have a lot of autism talks I'll be doing, livestock talks I'll be doing and I've got tons of e-mail and letters saying the movie inspired them, and I have to keep educating people."

HBO always had a lot to celebrate, and this year was no different -- with its tally of 25 Emmys, the network beat all its competitors for the 11th consecutive year, and its party lured many faces not seen on the red carpet. (Click the picture of Emmy attendees Stephen Moyer and Anna Paquin, above, to launch a gallery of HBO party arrivals.) Fortunately, HBO's inventive event designer, Billy Butchkavitz, had transformed the fountain plaza outside the Pacific Design Center into palace grounds for outdoor partying. The theme was ...

Emmy focus on feet, starring Rita Wilson and Thomas Jane

Witness two ends of the foot-fashion spectrum from Sunday night's Primetime Emmy Awards festivities in Los Angeles.

At left, the feet of one Rita Wilson, whose shoes continued the chunky crystal look of her Prada dress, and whose husband, Tom Hanks, dropped the F-bomb loud and proud to media backstage and then promptly apologized, which was almost unnecessary, as it had been a pretty amusing F-bomb. All the Rage loved Rita's look, though others disagreed.

On the right, the feet of one Thomas Jane, star of HBO's "Hung," who's known for his alternative-footwear (or no-footwear) habit. In a blow to fans, however, the naked feet did not continue any theme from higher up in Jane's ensemble. Probably made it easier for him to get admitted to the green carpet at HBO's post-Emmy bash.

To see both outfits in their entirety, keep reading after the break ...

Jimmy Fallon's 'Glee'-Springsteen mashup opens the Emmys

Properly accessorized by Tim Gunn, host Jimmy Fallon and his own star-studded glee club launched the Emmy Awards broadcast Sunday with a version of "Born to Run" that featured a booty-shaking Jon Hamm, coached by Betty White; "great dancer" Kate Gosselin begging unsuccessfully to join the group; and a solo by Jorge Garcia of "Lost" performed while riding an escalator.

Missed it? Waste no time hitting "play," above, and tell us your opinion in comments below.

-- Christie D'Zurilla

 

 

 

 

George Clooney has a celebrity credit card, and he's not afraid to use it

What makes George Clooney get involved in charitable work? It's a simple matter of sharing the wealth.

"If you have a tremendous amount of heat from the spotlight, then you're able to shine a light in a different direction, and it's just deflecting," the Bob Hope Award winner said Sunday at the Emmy Awards. "My dad calls it a celebrity credit card that you try to cash in in other places."

It's not that Clooney knows anything special, for example, when it comes to something like earthquake recovery. "I said I wasn't a Haiti expert. I was a fund-raising expert more than anything."

Seems he's a bit of a basketball expert, however.

"My day today was, John Krasinski came over my house with a bunch of guys and we played basketball, and if you see him later, he's limping.

"And I just want to say, he's lost a step."

-- Amy Kaufman and Christie D'Zurilla

Photo: George Clooney and Elisabetta Canalis are seen backstage after Clooney received the humanitarian award at the 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards on  Aug. 29, 2010, in Los Angeles. Credit: Matt Sayles / Associated Press

John Lithgow gives a shout-out to Barack Obama

John Lithgow won his award for guest actor in a drama series last weekend at the Creative Arts Emmys, leaving him a bit more laid back than some other winners Sunday night.

"Oh, I'm loose as a goose," he said backstage. "It's fantastic. I discovered tonight, this is the way to win an Emmy. Win it a week early."

Others don't have it so easy.

"I think Barack Obama carries the weight of the world on his shoulders," Lithgow said, when asked who he thought was the year's most significant person. "His approval rating has slipped, but not in my book. I'm a huge supporter of his."

-- Christie D'Zurilla and Amy Kaufman

Photo: John Lithgow, who won guest actor in a drama series for "Dexter" at the Creative Arts Emmys handed out Aug. 21, 2010, swung backstage at the Emmy Awards on Aug. 29, 2010, at Nokia Theatre. Credit: Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times