LOS ANGELES (AP) - Those who glide down the Emmy Awards’ red carpet are in designer dresses, designer jewelry and designer shoes, or tuxedos.
But in the bleachers, it’s a different story. There, the dress code is flip flops, shorts and sun screen.
Lucky fans with bleachers’ tickets checked in near the Nokia Theatre at 10 a.m. PDT Sunday, to wait it out in the hot southern California sun until the stars come out.
Their wait was rewarded when Jimmy Fallon flew down the red carpet, and stopped to take a photo with Sherri Brown, 46, of New Orleans and Sharon Banfield, 38, of Los Angeles.
“He’s so great,” Brown squealed. “It’s so nice that he appreciates his fans.”
Banfield and Brown, who were on their way into the theater, lingered on the red carpet to enjoy every moment.
“He took the time for us even though he’s got a big job to do tonight,” Banfield said.
Fallon posted a video on Twitter of himself backstage preparing for the show.
“I’m so excited,” said Fallon, while gripping his hair anxiously.
Conan O’Brien, also posted on Twitter:
“Hey gang! I’m off to The Emmys on NBC! Woooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
Meanwhile, back at the bleachers.
It’s been a tradition for four years running for five friends from Melbourne, Fla., to take a girls-only vacation, stay at the Beverly Hills Hotel and cheer for their favorite actors at the Emmys.
This year, they came in matching pink tank tops emblazoned with rhinestones that said “Emmys 2010” and white shorts.
Laura Pitten, 49, an attorney, had a sign that said “Love the Dress” on one side and “Wow, You’re Hot” on the other side. “This side is for the girls and this side is for the good-looking guys,” she said.
Barbara Lacko, 43, had life-size cutouts of the faces of the cast of “The Big Bang Theory.”
“I can’t wait to see Jim Parsons,” Lacko said.
The friends were torn about which show should win for best comedy. Two said “Glee” was their favorite and two others liked “Modern Family.” Lacko wanted “The Big Bang Theory” to win.
Cassie York, a 31-year-old marketing manager from Long Beach, Calif., was prepared for the long wait in the sun with a large, stylish white and tan sun hat that cast shadows on her face. She had to constantly fluff it up to see who was arriving on the red carpet. She brought snacks and her iPhone to keep herself occupied while she waited.
“This takes commitment,” York said, “but I can’t wait to see the cast of ’True Blood.’”
Over a hundred fans, who had won tickets or gotten there through a lottery, joined York, who got her place from a friend. “Our friend has the hook up. He knows someone who works in the industry,” she said.
Meanwhile, last-minute preparations were in full swing as the television world readied for Sunday night’s 62nd annual Primetime Emmy Awards show, going live to all U.S. time zones for the first time in more than three decades. Here’s the latest:
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CAMERA READY: Viewers will be able to see more behind-the-scenes Emmys activity than ever before. Cameras placed throughout the Nokia Theatre will stream live along with the show at Emmys.com, NBC.com and Ustream.com. One of the cameras will be positioned just off stage to give winners a chance to thank anyone they might have missed. The three-hour online telecast begins at 8 p.m. EDT.
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NOW LOOK BACK AT ME: Emmy nominees who work behind the camera will have their chance in the spotlight Sunday. For example, the outstanding directing for a variety, music or comedy special nominees were asked, “What did your mother want you to be when you grew up?” Christopher Lloyd and Steven Levitan, the creators of “Modern Family,” spoof the Old Spice guy in their pre-taped segment.
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FUNNY BUSINESS: It was all laughs Saturday afternoon at the Nokia Theatre during rehearsals for Sunday’s show. A smiley Neil Patrick Harris, who hosted the Emmys last year, greeted executive producer Don Mischer in the makeshift control room erected in the audience by yelling, “Cut to commercial! Cut to commercial!” Harris later practiced his outstanding lead actress in a comedy series introduction, which features Harris poking fun at new host Jimmy Fallon.
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OFFICE PARTY: Oscar Nunez and Kate Flannery from “The Office” spent Saturday morning loading up bags at the DPA pre-Emmy gifting suite at the Sunset Tower Hotel. Scented candles, patterned bikinis, organic food from chef James Barry and other goodies were up for grabs. “The Office” co-workers took home personalized ornaments painted by artist Timree Gold with their names and the show’s logo.
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Entertainment Writers Derrik J. Lang in Los Angeles and Jake Coyle in New York contributed to this report.
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