Inside HBO’s Golden Globes Party: No One Fell In The Pool

By Julie Zied
Fancast.com

Everyone knows that after the party comes the after party. And after last night’s 66th annual Golden Globes ceremony at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Los Angeles, the after party to attend was HBO’s poolside gala at the hotel’s Circa 55 restaurant, with a serpentine line to get in rivaling that of a free Madonna concert.

While not as opulent as years past - and with HBO reportedly recycling some decorative flair from previous parties - the scene was still a veritable who’s who of Hollywood glamor. A marriage of film and TV stars, with some old, some new, some in borrowed jewels, and some dressed in blue. And with HBO taking home 7 awards, people were ready to get festive.

Early on, no one was daring enough to brave the bright yellow dance floor, but once the mini bottles of Moet started flowing, some feet got moving. Big Love star Aaron Paul, decked out in his finest fedora, and Mamma Mia! star Dominic Cooper led the pack in best moves of the evening, as they grooved to fresh beats from Rihanna, Christina Aguilera, and Justin Timberlake.

But not everyone was interested in dancing.

Many celebs in attendance opted for a quieter - although not quiet - seat at a table inside. True Blood co-stars, and true life couple Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer were joined by their castmates in a back corner table, and could be seen digging in to all of the delicious fare.

Others chose to graze the buffet, which included grilled scallops, beef tenderloin, truffle-infused macaroni and cheese, and mushroom ravioli.

For dessert, waiters placed large bails of cotton candy alongside tiny chocolate mousse cups at each table for the likes of Susan Sarandon, Kevin Bacon, wife Kyra Sedgwick, and Tom Hanks to enjoy.

NBC Universal’s party on the Hilton rooftop was more industry-insidery, so many NBC stars flocked to HBO, including big winner for 30 Rock, Tina Fey, who never seemed to have a still moment without someone interrupting with a congratulatory hug. Fey, who was there solo, joined in the revelry with her Baby Mama co-star Amy Poehler, who was looking fabulous post-baby with husband Will Arnett.

The Office’s BJ Novak and Mindy Kaling lounged and sipped on white chocolate martini’s without their Dunder Mifflin patriarch Steve Carell, while svelte co-star John Krasinski sneaked out early. Maybe to go see his rumored paramour Emily Blunt?

At one point later in the evening Leonardo DiCaprio breezed by poolside, talking and laughing with Entourage star Kevin Connelly. Who knew those two were friends? But alas, it is Hollywood, after all.

Connelly’s Entourage co-stars were all in attendance, including an animated Kevin Dillon, and a more subdued Jeremy Piven. Adrian Grenier, true to his Vinny Chase persona, was flanked by several beautiful women all night, while Jerry Ferrara (aka Turtle) was accompanied by only one, co-star Emmanuelle Chriqui, who could be seen perched atop the actor’s lap. No Jamie Lynn Sigler in sight.

In a candid squished-together moment on the smokey patio, Elizabeth Banks and Tyrese made a first-time connection, with Banks smiling and saying “I don’t think we’ve met before. All I know is how beautiful you are!” Seconds later the two posed for a photograph.

Jessica Lange and Drew Barrymore, soon to appear together in HBO’s adaptation of the documentary classic Grey Gardens, were seemingly attached at the hip. At one point Barrymore could be seen propping Lange up as she adjusted a misbehaving shoe strap.

Most stars began filtering out around midnight, although not so for the cast of Mad Men. A tipsy, or perhaps a merely gleeful-looking Jon Hamm and live-in-love Jennifer Westfeldt were laughing and dancing alongside John Slattery and other mad men and women into the wee hours of the night.

Two Observations:

Sting doing a quick stop and chat with a few friends and leaving soon thereafter. What does everyone think of the beard?

Seal and Heidi Klum were officially the cutest couple of the night. The two rarely strayed from each others sides, pausing ocassionally for stolen kisses.

Other sightings of the evening included: Dennis Leary, Terrence Howard, Kate Beckinsale, Mark Wahlberg, Common, Hayden Pannettiere, Kyle McLaughlin, Sarah Chalke, Adam Duritz, Taylor Momsen, Amanda Seyfried, Ginnifer Goodwin, Gina Gershorn, and Zoe Saldana.