I was at Area in West Hollywood Thursday night for a party celebrating the People's Choice Award nominations. I think I was only cleared for the press line to do red carpet interviews but I did manage to get into the party where I had a diet coke and gabbed with various publicists.
Saw the handsome Brian Howe of "Journeyman" as I walked in and Shawn Pyfrom of "Desperate Housewives." Tuc Watkins of "Desperate Housewives" and "One Life to Live" and the late, great "Beggars and Choosers" was there too but I didn't need to stalk him because we had a good gab outside and I will share that with you over the weekend.
Other stars I talked with included Paula Abdul, A.J. Cook ("Criminal Minds"), Joy Lauren (Bree's daughter, Danielle, on "Desperate Housewives," the very nice Gretchen Egolf of "Journeyman," the ridiculously handsome Carter Oosterhouse, formerly of "Trading Spaces" and now host of "Carter Can." Also talked to one of the surgeons on "Dr. 90210" - not the main guy, but one of the members of the team and I asked him which celebrities he thought had really bad plastic surgery. He wouldn't bite. Then, noticing that his forehead had not moved the entire time, I asked if he had botox injected in there. He wouldn't answer. I asked him to act surprised! He couldn't. Before hurrying away from me, he said that his forehead "has been known to move."
Not tonight, pal.
As part of the print/online press, you are often placed at the end of these long press lines so sometimes the celebs are just plain tired of answering questions! That's why Scott Foley bailed out without talking to me, ditto Ryan Seacrest. I skipped out on the whole Kardashian clan because I don't even want to go there. All I know is Bruce Jenner is their stepdad and he wasn't there so be on your way. Spotted the cast of "Carpoolers" including Jerry O'Connell and Faith Ford but didn't want to wait to interview them and also skipped on Jason Biggs for no particular reason.
OK, so the reason for the party was the announcement of the People's Choice Award nominations - in 38 categories! Good grief! No way to go over them all but you can go to DailyNews.com to see the complete list. But here are some categories I care about:

Favorite Leading Lady: Jessica Alba, Drew Barrymore, Queen Latifah
My pick: Latifah is my queen! i love that she is nominated. Alba leaves me cold.

Favorite Female Action Star: Jessica Alba, Jodie Foster, Keira Knightley.
My pick: Jodie Foster, duh!

Favorite Male Movie Star: Johnny Depp, Denzel Washington, Bruce Willis
My pick: Denzel, Denzel, Denzel

Favorite Male Action Star: Matt Damon,Johnny Depp, Bruce Willis
My pick: Hands down: Matt Damon

Favorite Female TV Star: Sally Field, Katherine Heigl, Jennifer Love Hewitt
My pick: The best actress working in television today: two-time Oscar winner and three-time Emmy winner Sally Field.

Favorite Male TV Star: Patrick Dempsey, Charlie Sheen, Kiefer Sutherland
My pick: McDreamy. He really is. But Kiefer could use a win because I like him tons and he's had some tough times lately.

Favorite Scene Stealing Star: Richard Belzer from "Law & Order: SVU," Neil Patrick Harris from "How I Met Your Mother" and Chandra Wilson from "Grey's Anatomy"
My pick: Love Chandra. But NPH as Barney is a revelation and the very best part of the show.

Favorite Funny Female Star: Ellen DeGeneres, Whoopi Goldberg, Wanda Sykes
My pick: I can't. They are all great, all so funny and so smart. But if I were to admit who makes me laugh the hardest, it would be Wanda.

Favorite Group: Daughtry, Maroon 5, Rascal Flatts
My pick: Is it shallow to pick Maroon 5 because Adam Levine is so beautiful? It is? OK: Maroon 5.