A cool night at the American Music Awards...

My American Music Awards experience was pretty fun. Here is a link to take you to the Daily News blog On Red Carpet site where I was posting last night from backstage along with our music critic Fred Shuster. Best thing abvout the AMAs: no tuxedo required! I'm tired of going to all these kudofests dressed like a penguin.

The red carpet was so funny as I stood in front of two TV gals from the UK who didn't know who ANYONE was. I assume they just filmed EVERYONE and would figure it all out later. But they were quite fun. The reporters from US and People were quite nice despite my making fun of their silly questions. And once I got back to the press tent, there was some yummy pasta that was actually still hot! And you know how I feel about free food.

So, here are my award winners for the night, we'll call them the OUTIES::
BEST SCOOP: Getting Isaiah Washington to come over and chat about the T.R. Knight controversy even as his publicist was having a stroke! Click HERE to read the interview.
STARSTRUCK MOMENT: I've met many stars and am usually Mr. Cool but once in awhile, when I do not expect it, I just get weak in the knees lkind of starstruck. It happened three years ago when I met Jaclyn Smith at the premiere of "Charlie's Angels" and again last night when I turned around and there was the stunning Katherine McPhee. I actually said: "Oh my God! It's YOU!" Real professional, real cool. That's me.
HOT (female division): Beyonce! (flawless), Carrie Underwood (a princess) and Katherine McPhee (looked like a model).

HOT (male division): Taylor Hicks! (Not kidding! He is not the same man he was on the show. He's slim, good haircut, cool threads), Mario Lopez (could he look bad?), Tyrese Gibson (sexy!) and Jamie Foxx (what. a. fox.)
ANNOYING: Britney Spears (why is she celebrated for leaving her loser second husband, losing baby weight and cutting her hair?) and Paris Hilton (To quote Nancy Reagan: "Who does this dame think she is?").

SWEETEST: Josh Grobin (I just wanted to hug him, then give him a haircut!), the Cheetah Girls (Never heard of 'em but they were a lotta fun) and Billy Ray Cyrus (absolute gentleman. such a proud dad).

After the show ended, I got lost looking for the shuttle outside the Shrine Auditorium that was to take me back to the Coliseum parking lot. I'm not allowed into things like the "Entertainment Tonigfht" tent ot the Dick Clark Hospitality Tent but the press pass dangling around my neck apparently gives me license to wander around outside all these tents. I soon realize this is celeb spying paydirt!
>There's Jamie Foxx with his family having a group hug. Carrie Underwood approaches Jamie to say hello. Photos were snapped and they went their separate ways. Suddenly I'm struck in this big crowd but it's OK because I'm standing next to Tyrese Gibson. Wow! I think I'll stand here awhile. And finally, William Shatner and his wife are waiting for a shuttle or a limo (probably a limo, he has TWO shows on ABC now!) And finally, there's Isaiah Washington, walking out in good spirits, along with his wife and his now-relaxed publicist. I leave them alone.

It has been a good night.