Emily Blunt At The 8th Annual Screen Actors Guild Award Presentation

What an exciting day for Blunt Review.

I arrived at the Shrine auditorium, downtown Los Angeles, to stand on the red carpet at 1:00 p.m.. I was told to be there before 1:30pm or I would not get to my credentials, which of course would be devastating. The stars and other guests would be arriving around 3:00pm. Good thing I wore sunblock!

Along with the SPF 30 spray, I had on this stunning Grinch green gown that fit me like a glove. On top of that I had a bold, yet classy, hot pink sheer wrap of silk stuffs. I wore a necklace, from my mother, made of tiny draped scarabs that she had purchased in Egypt in the early 50's (supposedly it is from the '20's). I started to get nervous since the necklace may or may not have been real ivory. Being an ex - member of P E T A. Myself, I was fearful if Pamela Anderson showed up she'd throw some hideous red paint on me for animal cruelty - however residual. Thankfully, she wasn't there, and my politically incorrect, gloriuosly illegal (in several parts of the world) yet beautiful necklace and I sat in the sun looking tres' chic.

Boy was it bright out there.

The people behind the scenes of the SAG Awards show were like a well oiled machine. Very nice and amazingly polite considering the stress they just had to be under. I went to their preshow "walk through" were the promotion's lady (Rosalind) pointed to streets and barren car lots dressing our minds with how the place would look when we arrived in a few days for the show. She did a great job. Things were magically in place practically to a tee! The Shrine inside and out at the carpet looked great!

That handsome (and tall fellow) from Everybody Loves Raymond, Brad Garret, started the ceremonies with a christening of the red carpet with Tattinger champagne. He's very funny. I know he is on the show-but that's the writers. I mean genuinely a laugh inducer in "real life!" He and his wife were charming. I do love that show. Though, I never really get to see it since I have such a chickbabe lifestyle.

The stars began to arrive, each more glamorous than last. I was immediately smitten with A Beautiful Mind's Anthony Rapp. He has the most mesmerizing eyes; they're topped only by the adorable little hobbit chap, Elijah Wood's.

Steve Buscemi was announced and I got all excited like a schoolgirl. However, some how he snuck by me. Not a photo to be had- nadda. See, many of the stars go right into the Shrine auditorium. They don't bother to shmooze with the press. Or at least my end of the press. The "we don't know who they are…don't want to make waves…invite them and throw them down towards the entrance, they get who they get." area. Whaaa.

Peter Boyle, from Everybody Loves Raymond is a charming fellow. I interviewed him briefly. I said to his publicist "he'll always be young Frankenstein to me." He overheard me and did an impromptu groan from the Mel Brook's classic! That truly made my day.

Beautiful Helen Mirren stopped and chatted. She was up for her role in Gosford Park (which she ended up winning). She commented on my dress. I was thrilled! Meanwhile she was absolutely stunning herself. Obviously the woman has impeccable taste.

Then the boys, Billy Boyd, Elijah Wood and Dominic Monaghan, from Lord of the Rings | Fellowship of the Ring came over. They were charming and adorable all at once. Um, wrap the three up, I'll take them! And folks, here's a scoop, they are not three foot tall at all. I mean they are not Vince Vaughn tall or anything but certainly not three foot as the film would have you believe! They are a hearty five foot five each!

Many of the actors that came over were from television shows. Naturally, the big ones just when inside. None of the Friends cast came over to the general press area. I just wanted to see that the Matthew Perry fellow. I keep defending him since everyone says he's so fat. Give the guy a break man. Besides it appears he only gains weight in his chin area. Odd.

Then, they announced Benicio Del Toro had just arrived on the carpet. My temperature went up about to 25 degrees. Now, this man is six feet four inches and yet, somehow, he managed to get past me! You know the chances of him getting by were slim…but still he did it! I'm shamed- I didn't even get a photo.

Hmm, I wonder if this had anything to do with my ATTACHING myself to his pant leg last year at the Oscars. Oh, I'm kidding...kind of...

The Six Feet Under cast was everywhere! I don't have cable so I had to be introduced via the publicists. I know...I'm film, or theater. This T.V. stuff? Um, clueless, sorry.

Then, we the press folk, went inside to the general media room. I had a lovely seat a mere four rows back on the aisle. As I began to sing a few bars of Zippety DoDa, a larger framed gal sat in front of me. Man! Naturally. She wasn't even in her assigned seat! I sat behind the one I call " Cow " and prayed silently she would not block my view too much. I ended up dodging her girth for three hours.

Ian McKellan, whom I adore, won for best supporting actor as Gandolf in Lord of the Rings FOTR. He came into the pressroom and dazzled us. Charming, witty and generally one helluva nice guy. Oh I'm sorry it's Sir Ian McKellan. And rightfully so! This man has had a remarkable career. I love thespians and he is one of the world's finest.

As you know, he's openly gay and it's times - like meeting him - I truly wish I were a man. Damn. He's an actor's actor for sure. But more than that, he's one of the warmest gentleman (and I don't throw that term around) that I have met along time.

Halle Berry won for all outstanding performance by a female actor in a leading role for her role in Monsters Ball. I have to admit I have not seen the film. Hard to fathom, I know! Last year I had a terrible time getting to Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. Something always comes up! I have attempted to see this film at least, and this is no exaggeration, thirteen times! I went to a studio screening and it ended up being a black-tie affair. I was in sweatpants a T-shirt and no makeup topped with a sweaty baseball cap from a film called The Hire with Clive Owens. Since I am no movie star that can claim to be artsy trendy trashy chic, I just kept driving.

Oddly, other attempts I have made to see this film have similar, though less dramatic, stories. I adore Billy Bob Thornton and make it a point to see anything with him and understanding that Halle Berry gave a career pivoting performance I am beside myself that I haven't seen this, yet. Perhaps I can finally find a theater that is not filled, has parking, gives the right time for the show, or has more then 35 seats.

Ben Kingsley who won for outstanding for performance by male actor in a television movie or miniseries was exceptionally personable. He won for his role as Otto Frank in Anne Frank.

Anne Frank has always been one of my heroes. Yes, I had to read her diaries in school. I have always been thankful to the point of writing a letter (dweeb-I know) to my teacher thanking him for giving us the opportunity to learn about this brave and amazing girl.

Ben Kingsley as Otto Frank was remarkable simply an incredible performance; warm, touching and heart wrenching. Ben was also in Sexy Beast this past year…a ying and yang of characters to be sure. Now, that's talent. Bravo Mr. Kingsley. Would you like to breed?

This year's recipient of the 38th Lifetime Achievement Award was Ed Asner. Most of us know him from the Mary Tyler Show. Yeah, we all grew up with Ed. He's an exceptional human! And really short. You know, I am always surprised when I meet these people after years of adoring and admiring and seeing them larger than life on a screen or on a television screen and they're so small. Small in stature, but certainly not in talent. And this man truly deserved this award. Apparently he is quite a humanitarian as well as a swell actor. Saving trees and woods all over the place! Generally giving a poo. He said of the award: " I love acting, being an actor, and youth I wandered from place to play as if in a dream. And wonder of wonders, I woke up and found myself to be an actor. Well actually, it was quite easy. Because firstly, I stunk as a cabdriver "

Now, that sums it up. Most actors, thankfully, follow their dreams because they really stink at anything else...that and the idea of working a 9-5 job is worse than starvation waiting for their next role!

Melissa Gilbert, the president of the Screen Actors Guild, came into the pressroom fresh from the battle she had just fought for her position as president. I don't know much about what went on, I admit, but, Melissa seemed like she was ready to stop the war and get to work. Which, in the long run, is what they all want. Hopefully the petty conflicts can be put aside and the Screen Actors Guild panel of beings that make decisions on behalf of the working actors everywhere can work together; opinions dislikes, and temperaments aside.

She sure didn't look like the little girl on The Little House on the Prairie. She was one tough cookie. Good for her.

The West Wing won for outstanding performance by an ensemble in a drama series. That adorable John Spencer was there, as well as Rob Lowe and several of the gals from the show. . I have never seen the show so I can't tell you their names-sorry.

Judy Davis won Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries for her role as Judy Garland in Life With Judy Garland, Me and My Shadows. Finally! Some of us know and love her already. This just gives her the little light she deserves!

Russell Crowe entered our press room in a state akin to a caged animal. He was jovial but alert with a distinct air of distrust. You felt he and his new statue would have preferred to be in back with a few close friends sharing the moment rather than here with strangers poised to ask the same old questions that he'd just answered in each room before this.

Right off the bat some media ass up front asked something personal, and I feared Russell was gonna explode. He smiled and said, " We'll stop that right there mate." And then asked for another question. I fear I did not hear the question…the questionnaire spoke without the microphone so simply imagine any of Russ' scandals, upsets or media attacks here to get his tone.

I will say Russell was very nice over all, and snapped only once. Of course that's what all the stations are playing. The rest of his Q&A was normal nice chatting. So since I know you're dying for the dirt here's what you've all heard "the new buzz" about:

Reporter: "You know we've heard so much about that celebrated brawl, would you mind giving us a little verse of the poem..."
Russell: "No, I wont"
Reporter: "Would you at least tell us what it [the poem] means to you then?
Russell: "No- no, I wouldn't…poetry is up to the individual in terms of defining it's meaning. It's not one absolute, and so that's the beauty of poetry. "

Next reporter: [generic schmooze and congrads then in a weird tone - very "this is your life " or "Inside the Actor's Studio" she starts] Russell, you're a celebrity, award winner, headline maker…does all of that get in…
Russell: Hairy Guy! [Laughter]
Reporter: Do you fear sometimes that all of that interferes with what you've told us many times you love; the acting?
Russell: Um, I think you know, you possibly get your head turned if you're a certain type of person. But um, it's not gonna happen to me. I'll be okay. I know the difference.

On acting and a good script: "That’s the thing you look for, the thing you get addicted to — the performance adrenaline. That drives me to get up at 5 o’clock in the morning!"

He brought up the BAFTA thing with a wink and a smile about his not being remorseful but: "'From a mutual friend, I found out that Malcolm Gerrie's son was being hassled at school. So I called Malcolm, and we had a conversation that was very simple, and I apologized to him, and he very graciously apologized to me. And I asked to speak to his son Oliver. We talked for a half an hour, and he asked me 101 questions about 'Gladiator.' And the next day, he was able to go to school with undeniable evidence he'd spoke with Maximus!"

After Crowe finished we all left. I stood and watched him be interviewed by yet another "verbal head" for a moment - couldn't hear a word. I stood there holding a dish of icky half sandwiches and sweet macaroni salad and wished there was ONE damn trash barrel somewhere to be found! If this slipped on my gown I was drawin' blood from someone !! They think Russell Crowe can get upset? Tah, he's a softspoken wimp in comparison!

I hobbled to my car on the fifth floor of a parking garage — with no elevator. When finally I saw my car, I threw my large utility bag down and fished for my keys. This immediately prompted the strap of my gown to snap off on one side. I had fogotten I was head- to- toe girly-girl and bent as I would in a pair of Levis. So, the strap snapped and out came the breast as the dress plummeted to the side. I just smiled. Oddly I really did expect to hear a bell clock chime twelve and see my car morph into a large pumpkin at that point!

After two hours in the boiling sun, a three-hour stint in a media room that was so cold they could have stored meats in it for the winter, and no food (that I'd actually eat) for all these hours…I just didn't care about the exposed boobie. I proudly got into my car like I meant to wear the gown like this...and drove away.

I went home attempted to download the pics from the fandangled device - no way. Naturally it just won't work. I shall call for technical help. So, the mini-interviews will be posted shortly. It's l new equipment bear with me. As my head began to pound with annoyance...I gave up, and popped into the tub, boiling hot with chamomile, rosemary and oodles of bubbles.

As Bobby Darin's showtunes played low in the background, I gorged like a rabid human tick on some Ice Age ice-cream (a gift from the studio) and thought to myself "what a truly scrumptious day!"

Emily Blunt

See the whole list of folks honored at the 8th Annual SAG Awards Presentation HERE.

Read More Quotes HERE

Screen Actors Guild's official site HERE

More Photos HERE