Emmy Countdown: Red carpet out, seat-holders in at Nokia Theatre

Emmy Countdown: Red carpet out at Nokia Theatre

LOS ANGELES — The 61st Primetime Emmy Awards are days away, but Hollywood is already gearing up for Sunday’s awards. Here’s a look at what’s already going on around Tinseltown:

SHAG FLIES

Preparations for the Emmys are rolling now.

Workers rolled out the red carpet Wednesday in front of the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, four days before Sunday’s live telecast.

The carpet is flanked by empty bleachers for fans who arrive early to catch a glimpse of their favorite TV stars.

SEAT FILLERS

Hugh Laurie is sitting in his Emmys seat already. So are Holly Hunter, Jack McBrayer and dozens of other nominees.

No, the actors themselves aren’t too anxious to wait for Sunday’s Emmy ceremony — but their places are being held by large cardboard cards that bear their photos.

The Nokia Theatre’s blue seats were filling up Wednesday with the placeholders as workers began making assigned seating arrangements.

MY EMMY MOMENT

Past winners recall the moments they won their first Emmy Awards:

“Zsa Zsa Gabor was doing ‘Bachelor’s Haven,’ a dating show, and everybody was sure that she was going to get it — was absolutely a given. So, it came around where they were going to announce the name, and Zsa Zsa got out her purse, and she powdered her nose and put her lipstick on, and they said my name. And, now, I don’t know how to face Zsa Zsa or what to do.

“I think (of all my Emmy wins), it was one of the most exciting.”

— Betty White, comedy actress winner in 1952 for “Life with Elizabeth.”

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AP Writers Mike Cidoni and Guinevere Smith contributed to this report.