As the Emmy Awards loom large on Sunday night, the weekend whirl of parties began with a bang on Thursday night, with the hottest party ticket in town being the "Entertainment Weekly"/Women in Film celebration honoring this year's Female Nominees.

Held at the post Sunset Marquis Hotel just off the Strip in West Hollywood, the fete drew the A through D list (although oddly enough, nominee and publicity hound Kathy Griffin was nowhere in sight).

 

She wasn't missed, as the gorgeous gal quotient was sky high all over the outdoor patios where the party played out. Look one way, there's "House" favorite Olivia Wilde, "90210" hottie AnnaLynne McCord, Carl's Jr. bikini chick Audrina Patridge, Chelsea Handler doppelganger Elizabeth Banks (those two really look alike, no kidding). Look another and there were "My Name Is Earl" cohorts Alyssa Milano and the always stunning Jaime Pressly.

 

Also looking good in the house at the jam-packed bash were Sharon Stone, Anne Heche, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Sela Ward, Jenna Elfman, Amanda Righetti, Jenni Garth, Shannen Doherty, Sharon Lawrence, Daphne Zuniga, Erika Christensen, and Jenna Dewan.


Fashionistas had a field day just watching the show go by, as everything from evening gowns (Jordana Brewster went for floor-length white) to cute cocktail dresses to a gaggle of lipstick lesbians all dolled up and holding hands with their macho, menswear clad partners.

 

Plenty of real men made the scene too, everyone from veteran Emmy winner Beau Bridges (he's nominated again this year for "Desperate Housewives"), "In Treatment" Best Actor nominee Gabriel Byrne, comedian George Lopez, and a crop of current hotties, like "Southland" stars Ben McKenzie and Michael Cudlitz, "Harper's Island" cutie C. J. Thomason, and "The Office" funnyman B. J. Novak.

 

"Bones" favorite Michaela Conlin looked ravishing in basic black and flashed her beautiful smile when we told her how sad we were that her show wasn't nominated for any Emmys. It's a crime!

 

And speaking of crimes, famed guitarist Dave Navarro made the scene by chance, after taking in the new documentary "Crude" at a screening up the street. "I figured I should stop in, this is a cool party," he said, then revealed that he's going to turn documentary filmmaker soon himself.

 

"I'm working on a documentary myself, about my mother's life and death. She was murdered 25 years ago by her ex-boyfriend. I think it's time to tell her story."

 

And perhaps end up with an Emmy of his own some day?