Evening Before bash benefits all

Pre-Emmy gala puts the fun in 'fund'

By MIA MCNIECE

Saturday's Evening Before party had all the ingredients for a successful TV show — the backing of a Hollywood bigwig (Jeffrey Katzenberg), famous faces, a good timeslot (6-9 p.m.), plenty of laughs, a lovable dog (Target's bull terrier) and heart (raising $2 million for the Motion Picture and Television Fund). Katzenberg hosted the inaugural bash held in the park area adjacent to Craft Restaurant in Century City, which brought out a sea of skein stars.

Sally Field rushed over to meet Jon Stewart, while America Ferrera gave Eva Longoria a big hug hello. Kiefer Sutherland posed for a few shots with the Target dog, telling the pooch, “Hey buddy, you know you have paint on your face, right?”

Inside, Mariska Hargitay showed off photos of her year-old son to Dennis Haysbert, while Edie Falco sipped coffee and chatted with Robert Duvall. Lorne Michaels and Brad Grey arrived together midway through the bash just as Rebecca Romijn and Jerry O'Connell were heading out. Even in the relaxed atmosphere, "Entourage's" Perrey Reeves, aka Mrs. Ari Gold, refused to reveal her character's first name, which has never been uttered on the show. "Ari thinks of plenty of things to call me" was all she would say. And in the ultimate sign of a good party, Kristen Bell had to exit barefoot with her heels in hand. Looks like the soiree may just get picked up for another run next year.

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