“My husband is in love with his valet.’” 
– One of the many things Princess Diana allegedly told her brother,
Charles Spencer.  Such rumors about the King have circulated before. 
And when you think about it, Valet/Camilla – really an honest mistake.

I like Mariska Hargitay.  She’s television royalty.  But I’m not sure who decided she should host the Emmy Awards.  She’s not exactly what I call a laugh riot.  Still, she was game.  She was cracking “jokes”, “singing” and “dancing” – all with variable levels of success.  She did everything but drag out her mother’s violin!  That said, she certainly looked lovely, even if I think she appears more at home in slacks than gowns.  I also didn’t mind the now-you-see-it, now-you-don’t hair that was similar to the Crissy doll!  The whole evening gave her the chance to take a victory lap after winning two Emmys for her documentary, My Mom Jayne.

The tribute to Dolly Parton by Reba McEntire was classy and simple – exactly what Dolly would have wanted.  In fact, Dolly was a passive participant in the performance.  Reba was wearing Dolly’s personal earrings and a butterfly ring which the Parton family loaned her.  McEntire’s white gown was chosen because it was similar to what Dolly wore when she sang “Appalachian Memories” on her 1983 Live in London performance.

I was particularly pleased to see Bob Mackie close out the perennially pesky In Memoriam sequence – especially since he died earlier the same day!  So much for the well-worn “we didn’t have enough time to include so-and-so” excuse which is trotted out year after year.  The very first time I met Bob was with Mitzi Gaynor – and if there is a gayer way to open a sentence, I’m not aware of it.  When I approached to introduce myself, he looked at me and said, “What a fantastic jacket!”  I couldn’t imagine a better compliment from Bob Mackie than about my clothes.  I didn’t dare tell him that the jacket (which I still have, and the photo from that meeting is on BillyMasters.com) was from the long-defunct International Male catalogue.  Over the years, we often spent time in each other’s company, shared meals, vacations, and even kibitzed on Billy Masters LIVE! …twice!  In addition to his undeniable talent, he was a warm, genuine person who was fiercely loyal to his friends and wickedly funny.  One of a kind.