As for the awards themselves, I was particularly pleased with Zelijko Ivanek and Jean Smart's wins. This summer I have become obsessed with both Mad Men and Damages; Ivanek was brilliant as Ray Fiske and his character's arc was the most compelling to watch, which is saying something. Jean Smart won for Samantha Who?, another personal favorite and it's largely because of her. The chemistry between Smart and Applegate is hilarious and spot-on. I wanted Smart to win the last two years when she was on 24, so this was overdue. Maybe Damages and Samantha Who? will get big ratings bumps and everything will be hunky-dory.
Top 5 Dresses
Marcia Cross, in Elie Saab
I initially thought this was a Monique Lhuillier, Marchesa or Reem Acra gown, but I'm still surprised it's an Elie Saab. If you've noticed from earlier posts, I am not an Elie Saab fan. However, Saab left the confines of sex and glitter to create something soft and feminine, while not verging off the cliff to girlishness or fairy princess. The color and the length were perfect for her--especially on camera--and I'm a sucker for tasteful lace and tulle.
Mariska Hargitay, in Carolina Herrera
I was impressed with the bold color choice (even after I saw numerous others donning this near-neon shade) and thought it worked best on her because of her coloring. Nothing sets off honey-olive skin quite like police-tape yellow.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, in Narciso Rodriguez
Again, a great color choice on the right skin tone. Also a more playful take on an inherently simple and classic shape with the addition of the cut-out. Julia always wears Narciso, it looks like Narciso, and yet Jay (from ANTM and E!) couldn't even fathom a guess when he didn't catch the name. He's all about 'fashion', no?
Cynthia Nixon, in Calvin Klein Collection
It would seem I'm a huge fan of color this year. I thought it was a simple shape, a great color, and just all-round 'right' without being boring. Though I do wish she would have kept the Miranda-red hair, her natural shade makes her seem younger.
Olivia Wilde, in Reem Acra
The main reason Thirteen made the Top 5 was because I had such a great initial reaction to the dress. There are many quality runners-up, but I loved the simplicity of the dress and thought that, even though she easily could have looked like a skeletal Rose Byrne, this dress made her see more womanly and elegant.
