While there were a lot of pretty people on the red carpet (Alyson Hannigan looked amazing, as did Drew Barrymore) the real focus of the night was on who won what for which TV show. After the jump, check out some photos from the Emmy telecast itself, see some photos of the Emmy winners in the press room and find out who took home those coveted trophies at last night’s Emmy Awards …

After starting with 16 nominations, “Mad Men” won just three Emmy Awards at the 61st Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday night — but one of them was the big one, best drama series. The AMC show about ad agency executives in early 1960s Manhattan often competed against itself, particularly in the category of episode writing, where it had four of the five possible nominations. “Mad Men” also won best drama last year. “30 Rock” won best comedy at Sunday’s awards. The show won five Emmys overall. “We want to thank our friends at NBC … for keeping us on the air, even though we are so much more expensive than a talk show,” said star Tina Fey in accepting the honor. Glenn Close won best actress in a drama for her performance in “Damages,” but she turned her speech into praise for her colleagues. “I want to salute what I call my ‘category sisters,’ ” she said. “I respect you, and I’m inspired by your talent.” She also paid tribute to the show’s writers. Bryan Cranston of AMC’s “Breaking Bad” won his second straight Emmy as best actor in a drama. “I don’t know what I’m doing up here,” he said. “I feel like Cinderfella. … I stand here a humbled man.” Alec Baldwin won best actor in a comedy series for his performance in “30 Rock.” Toni Collette (”The United States of Tara”) won best actress in a comedy. Collette’s win was a mild surprise, as Tina Fey, of “30 Rock,” was considered a heavy favorite.

The thing that stuck me the most about the show was how much camaraderie was being tossed about … from everyone to everyone else. Heaps of praise was laid upon Neil Patrick Harris’s performance as Emmy host and the winners kept congratulating others … it was really nice to see. Here are a few photos of some of the winners hoisting up their Emmy trophies in the press room last night:

Much congrats goes out to all the winners … even if I don’t watch all of the shows that win, it’s clear that they are much beloved by viewers and Emmy voters and they are really deserving of their accolades. Click HERE for a list of last night’s 2009 Emmy Award winners.

[Photo credit: Wireimage; Source]

Ahhh … you gotta love a relationship like the one that JamieLove share ;) It’s nice to see that these two have stayed together for so long. I admit, I assumed J. Love’s hook-up with Jamie was merely a rebound situation for her to get over her ex-fiancée Ross McCall (who broke up back in January) … but after all these months, they’re still together. J. Love is bringin’ home the bacon and it looks like Jamie is eatin’ it ;) A match made in heaven!!

[Photo credit: Splash News]

Clearly, they want us to know that they are SO in LOVE that the only way that they can possibly express to the outside world how much in LOVE they are with one another is to venture out in public wearing MATCHING OUTFITS. A love like that is rare, it is a precious commodity that should be cherished … or mocked, I can’t really be sure. Thoughts?

[Photo credit: X17]

The 44th Academy of Country Music Awards swung political, personal, playful and patriotic on Sunday and ultimately opted for popular in bestowing its top honor on “American Idol” winner Carrie Underwood, naming her entertainer of the year over veteran male performers George Strait, Kenny Chesney and Keith Urban. “I’ve had a lot of good moments in the past four years,” the Oklahoma-born Underwood said at the climax of the three-hour event at the MGM Grand Arena, “but this one takes the cake.” The award was determined for the second year by popular vote during the show at CBS.com instead of being determined as it had been in past years by the performer who sold the most concert tickets during the previous 12 months, which would have given a fifth title to Chesney. But the ACM, in striving to boost ratings and make the event more interactive for fans, opened the voting for entertainer and new artist to the public. That helped TV-friendly faces such as Underwood and former “Dancing With the Stars”-turned-country singer Julianne Hough, who took home the new artist trophy. It was a big night as well for Internet-savvy teen phenom Taylor Swift, who sold more albums in 2008 than any other artist in any genre, passing 5 million. Her overwhelming success contributed to her sophomore album, “Fearless,” which has topped 3 million since its release in November, being named album of the year. The giddy singer and songwriter from Pennsylvania clapped her hands over her mouth and danced in her signature cowgirl boots upon learning she’d been chosen by the academy’s 4,000 voting members over Strait, Underwood, duo Montgomery Gentry and newcomer Jamey Johnson … The CBS telecast also looked to give more fans … to latch on to with a performance by Miley Cyrus, timed to plug the new “Hannah Montana” movie, even though the daughter of country singer and actor Billy Ray Cyrus wasn’t nominated for any awards. Tough economic times coupled with strong sentiment over the war in Iraq figured into two of the night’s most powerful musical performances. John Rich, half of the duo Big & Rich, sang a solo version of his new single “Shuttin’ Detroit Down” that elicited cheers several times from the 11,000 fans in the MGM Grand Arena as he railed against federal bailouts to troubled corporations while family farms continue to fail by the thousands. U.S. troops got a salute from Trace Adkins as he was joined by the West Point Glee Club with a new song recognizing what soldiers have sacrificed from the Civil War through the ongoing fighting in Afghanistan. The ACM announced that proceeds from the downloadable version of the performance will go to Wounded Warrior, a Florida-based organization the helps injured troops once they return home. Jamey Johnson’s “In Color,” an homage to those who weathered the Depression, fought in World War II and sustained long-term marriages, was named song of the year. Johnson’s album “That Lonesome Song,” which has drawn comparisons to the work of Waylon Jennings and others of the ’70s country Outlaw movement, had been chosen 2008’s best by a poll of country music critics. Reba McEntire hosted the show for the 11th year.

While I do not consider myself a Country Music fan per se, I still have a small place in my heart for the genre due to my years spent living in Oklahoma. Down there, you can’t escape Country Music so it’s best to just enjoy it for what it is — emotionally driven, heartfelt songs that have a pretty good way of tearing at heartstrings in order to illicit a response. I’m not ashamed to admit that I have my fave songs. I am prolly Carrie Underwood’s biggest fan who doesn’t own any of her albums. I have a few tracks but I’m most impressed with her singing abilities overall. She is truly the best thing to come from American Idol since Kelly Clarkson. I’m so happy that she continues to enjoy so much success. She’s a woman who works hard for what she has, it’s great to see her being successful. Taylor Swift, as well, strikes me as a very talented girl. The thing that I prolly like most about Country Music is that it is a genre that’s really driven by talent. Many of the biggest Country Music stars can play instruments … which cannot be said for a lot of pop/rock or rap musicians.

While all eyes were on the Country Music stars on the red carpet, there were quite a few celebs who showed up at the awards that have nothing at all really to do with Country Music as a craft. As you can see above, Matthew McConaughey and Camila Alves were in attendance and I understand that comedian Carrot Top was there as well. Additionally, new celeb couple Jennifer Love Hewitt and Jamie Kennedy chose the ACM Awards as their official coming out party as a couple:

I find it curious that they were both wearing all white … could they be trying to tell us something? The night wasn’t without it’s own drama as well … Tim McGraw ended up pulling out of performing on the show at the very last minute due to reported “problems” with production. See, even Country Music has their own divas. In any event, much congrats goes out to all the winners at this year’s ACM Awards!

[Photo credit: Bauer-Griffin, Wireimage; Source]

HMMM … for some strange reason, Jennifer Love Hewitt doesn’t seem all that interested in being photographed … with Jamie? It seems odd that she would (unsuccessfully) try to cover her face with her tiny purse, especially when she looks all made up and beautiful. Could it possibly be that she is, for some reason, ashamed to be seen with her new boyfriend? I wonder what her problem is … any guesses?

[Photo credit: Bauer-Griffin]

I dunno … I’m still having a hard time believing that there is true lurve here. Clearly, Jamie is very smitten with J. Love but can a couple months after the end of a 3-year relationship with another man really be enough time for Jennifer Love to move on with a new love? I’m not so sure. But, the couple appear to really be giving it a go. I really hope that J. Love doesn’t end up breaking Jamie’s heart down the line. Vacationing together is a good sign … here’s hoping it truly lasts.

[Photo credit: National Photo Group]

They’ve been denying it for weeks, but the truth was too hot to hide: Jamie Kennedy has confirmed that he’s dating his Ghost Whisperer costar Jennifer Love Hewitt on Ryan Seacrest’s radio show Friday. “I’m in love and I don’t care,” the actor told Seacrest. Kennedy said the couple are not engaged but share a bond he described as “more than love.” “I thought it was something I would find in my 40s,” Kennedy, 38, told Seacrest. “It’s like, ‘Wow, you are hot. You can sing, you can dance, you’re, like, so smart and, wow, you can cook pasta fagioli too.’” As recently as the night of the Academy Awards on Feb. 22, when Kennedy attended a party hosted by Hewitt, the two seemed cordial but not cozy, according to an eyewitness, and Love Hewitt, 30, said she was single. In January, the actress had announced she and her fiance Ross McCall had broken up over the holidays. Love Hewitt’s rep declined to comment.

I kinda hate to think it but it really kinda feels like Jamie is just a rebound for J. Love. For her to get involved in a new relationship so soon after a big break-up just screams rebound to me. I hope I’m wrong because Jamie Kennedy is a great guy, really funny and worthy of a beautiful woman like J. Love but … rebound just keeps screaming in my head. Of course Jamie is gonna be feeling “more than love” for J. Love … she is an incredible catch. I just hope that this new relationship turns out to be the real deal. I never would’ve pictured the two of them together, but I could really get used to the idea of Jennifer Love Hewitt and Jamie Kennedy together. Don’t y’all think they make a great couple?

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Altho the coverstory article has yet to be posted online, the headline on the new issue reads, “The dress was bought, a date was set. How jealousy, fights and her insecurities exploded at the last minute”. HMM. The mag clearly seems to be pointing the finger of blame straight at J. Love. Something tells me that this article was not written with her consent. I, personally, have no information as to what caused the break-up between J. Love and Ross but I’d venture a guess that her on-going problems with her crazed stalker might’ve had something to do with what went down. In the end, we will never really know for sure what happened unless either of the involved parties go on the record to discuss the matter. I just hope that they are both doing well … J. Love is a sweetheart and I wish her only happiness. I know nothing about Ross but he always seemed like a great guy to me … here’s hoping that things work out for the best for the both of them.

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Jennifer Love Hewitt and her fiancé Ross McCall have called it quits, PEOPLE has learned. “They broke up over the holidays and have ended their engagement,” says a source close to the couple. “They’re both really sad about this. Even their friends are surprised; they seemed really happy. Everyone just wants the best for both of them.” Reps for both Hewitt and McCall had no immediate comment. The Ghost Whisperer star, 29, got engaged to the Scottish actor, 32, in November 2007 after dating for two years.

Aww … this is really sad news — and totally out of nowhere. Not that I really thought about J. Love and Ross very much but I did love them as a couple. They seemed so well matched and made a cute pair, I thought for sure they’d be together forever. Tho, I suppose it is suspicious that the couple remained engaged for so long without ever setting a wedding date. The couple would pop up at various events together (I last saw them together in public at an LA Galaxy game over the summer) but I would most look forward to seeing them show up at the holiday volunteering efforts at the LA Mission around Thanksgiving and Xmas (which they would attend together annually … except for this past Xmas and I guess now we know why). They really were a great couple … I’m sad for them :(

[Photo credit: Splash News; Source]

Here are a few pics of some of the celebs who made their way out to the Crossroads of Hope Mission in Los Angeles, CA yesterday to generously donate of their time in order to help serve food to those in need. This annual event usually takes place outside but because of the massive rain that pummeled LA yesterday (in buckets, I saw it) the event had to be moved indoors:

Thousands of less-fortunate people had a happy Thanksgiving a day early as celebrities and elected officials made their annual trek to Skid Row in downtown Los Angeles to help distribute holiday meals. Acting legend Kirk Douglas and his wife, Anne, again hosted the annual holiday meal at the Los Angeles Mission. An estimated 2,500 to 3,000 people c2owded into the Mission, which was moved inside because of the rain. “We’re going to be tight,” said Al Rossi, one of the mission’s directors. As celebrities filed into the Mission’s dining room, dozens of photographers crowded around, lighting the room up with a strobe of camera flashes fit for a red carpet. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa spooned mixed vegetables onto plates while super model Cindy Crawford scooped mashed potatoes on his left and Kirk Douglas handled other traditional Thanksgiving fixings on his right. Several younger celebrities showed up, including “High School Musical” star Corbin Bleu, who has volunteered at the Mission before. “I’m a very blessed man, and at this time right now it’s just important to be able to give back what God has given to me,” Bleu said. Actors Wilmer Valderrama, Neal McDonough, Nora Zehetner, Joe Campana and model-turned-actress Natasha Alam carried plates out to the event’s attendees. “It’s taking actors back to their roots,” Campana said. “It takes you back to your waiter days.” In addition to the free meal, homeless attendees received free foot exams and health checks.

As always, I am so impressed that these celebs made the effort to give so selflessly of their time in order to help those who are less fortunate. Some of the celebs who came out this year came out last year and the year before that. It’s a very cool thing to see that some celebs are aware of how fortunate they are and they seem willing to give back year after year. These volunteers really show what the Thanksgiving spirit is all about. It’s a great sight to see!

[Photo credit: Bauer-Griffin; Source]