Since the Golden Globe Awards don't look to be much of a star-studded affair next week, I'm sure glad I was at the awards gala Saturday night at the Palm Springs International Film Festival.

It really was a heady night but what was cool was with Oscar winner Sean Penn, Daniel Day-Lewis and Halle Berry among those honored and probably 2008 nominees Emile Hirsch, Marion Cotillard and Ellen Page. I gabbed with a buncha stars on the red carpet as they made their way in and everyone was pretty upbeat and chatty. They clearly have not yet been afflicted with award show fatigue yet!

"This is so exciting to be here tonight to be a part of this with people who are so talented. To even be in the same room as Daniel Day-Lewis is a huge honor," said Emile, who later received the rising star award for his performance in "Into the Wild."

I was about to speak with Mary Hart when I saw Stockard Channing trying to sneak by so I called out to this great actress and she came on over. But our conversation was kinda comical because Stockard was focused on trying not to step on the train of Mary's dress! Stockard was not only a presenter, but her film "Sparkle" is one of the festival's entries and the Tony Award winning actress told me she is returning to the Broadway stage soon in a musical.
She looked so eager to get into the dinner that I asked: "Are you fond of red carpets?"
Stockard: "I shouldn't really say anything negative since I'm on one right now! But, they are a bit blinding and you're a little worried about what you're looking like basically. The depth is not really there."

Nikki Blonsky had been fighting a cold so she was unable to open the show with a song from "Hairspray" as planned and Rikki Lake has stepped in to introduce a screening of "Hairspray" the night before.
Nikki: "I have a really bad cold and flying filled my ears with fluid. Isn't that attractive! [laughs]. "Every time I walk a red carpet, it's a chance to see my fans and a chance to let the world know what's going on in my life and just to share some moments. Having these experiences is an amazing part of my life."

MEMORABLE AWARD SHOW QUOTES:
"Having a gifted actor like [Daniel Day-Lewis] presenting, it means so much. If it's a dream, please don't wake me up."
- Marion Cotillard who was thrilled to receive the breakthrough performance award from Day-Lewis.

"I'm not a very good actor but I'm in a lot of movies because I put myself in them."
- Producer Jerry Weintraub, recipient of the Patron of the Arts Award

"So much of my career has been about making a way out of no way."
- Halle Berry as she accepted the Desert Palm Achievement Award

"I want to thank John Travolta who is the best mommy next to my own mom."
- Nikki Blonsky, recipient of the rising star award

"Danny Zucko as Tracy's mother? I just never saw it coming...People go through phases. What can you do?"
- Stockard Channing on "Grease" co-star John Travolta as she presented the ensemble cast award to "Hairpray."

"As a mother and as a woman, I'm proud of all my babies."
- Travolta, who played Edna Turnblad in "Hairspray."

THE AFTER-PARTY:The post-awards party was held down the road at The Parker. Penn didn't go near the VIP room, prefering intimate conversations with people as he puffed away on cigarettes. Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens were there with Zac talking to director Gus Van Sant then giving a chilled Vanessa his coat. Such a gentleman. In addition to Zac, the rest of the "Hairspray" contingent included Allison Janey and director Adam Shankman.

When director John Singleton arrived, he went straight to veteran director Norman Jewison and embraced him. Stockard Channing was spotted briefly but seemed to want to stay low-profile. She is tiny and had told me on the red carpet earlier that she is returning to Broadway soon. Congresswoman Mary Bono was there with her new husband. She had gotten choked up while on stage during the awards gala because Saturday marked the 10th anniversary of the death of her husband, former mayor and festival founder Sonny Bono.