Emmys not the only awards in town for celebrities

Emmy nominees are always talented, and in the days leading up to the awards ceremony many are gifted, too.

Gift suites catering to Emmy nominees and presenters beckoned the stars, writers and producers of TV's top shows Saturday with loads of luxury freebies.

The stars who came by the Nokia Theatre to rehearse for Sunday's ceremony were invited backstage to the HP Touchsmart Gift Lounge, where HP gave away notebook computers and made a donation to the TV academy's nonprofit foundation for each celebrity who stopped by.

Actor David Boreanaz of TV's Bones came to the suite with his family in the morning and was among the stars who collected bedazzled toasters, sneakers made from recycled plastic water bottles, designer sunglasses, Centrum vitamins, Nautica watches and a $700 hair dryer.

At the Four Seasons Hotel across town, the HBO Luxury Lounge was a crowded, multi-room affair that drew LL Cool J, Loretta Devine, who won an Emmy for her guest-starring role on Grey's Anatomy, Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner and veteran actress Cloris Leachman, among others.

Guests could retreat to a mini spa, where L'Oreal provided manicures, makeovers, hairdos and hot shaves. They could sip cocktails inspired by HBO shows such as True Blood and Boardwalk Empire in the Klipsch listening lounge; and they could gather lots of goodies, from handbags to headphones to high-end baby strollers.

Among the offerings: UppaBaby's $680 Vista stroller (outfitted with shock absorbers and an organic bassinet with a pull-out sun shade); rare and red-carpet-ready blue diamonds from jeweller Sophia Fiori; Brahmin leather handbags (popular Saturday with actress Melissa Joan Hart and TV personality Samantha Harris); indestructible steel True Blood headphones by V-MODA; and vegan footwear from Michael Antonio Shoes.

Devine, who won her Emmy at last week's Creative Arts ceremony, was all smiles as she navigated the crowded suite. Other guests included Penny Marshall, actress Lorraine Bracco and Entourage star Jerry Ferrara.

More gifts were handed out in Hollywood at the GBK Tic-Tac Gift Lounge at the W Hotel. But the most coveted prizes won't be presented until Sunday, when the Emmys are awarded.

-AP
[Source: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10752726]