Notable Quotes From Backstage at the 61st Annual Primetime Emmys

Last night's Emmys winners went backstage at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, and AOL Television was there to get the scoop from the lucky statuette holders. Read on for our behind-the-scenes highlights from the night, from '30 Rock''s next dream guest stars to which winner scares his fans to all kinds of 'Idol' speculation. -- By Michael Maloney


Tina's Choice
"I think our new dream guest star is Meryl Streep," said Tina Fey, who won for Outstanding Comedy Series as executive producer of '30 Rock.'

World Wide Wrong
"The Internet is always wrong," claimed Fey, who didn't get her hopes up for a three-peat even though online sources predicted that '30 Rock' would win again.

Judge and Jury
Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Kristin Chenoweth defended Ellen DeGeneres taking over for Paula Abdul as a judge on 'American Idol.' "I'm sad [Paula] left," Chenoweth opined. "I also think that Ellen DeGeneres will fill that void. A lot of people give Ellen guff [because of her lack of music background], but she represents a lot of America. There's nothing wrong with having her on that panel."

You've Got Male
Chenoweth, who will serve as a guest judge on 'Idol' this season, predicted that this season's winner will be a male.

Brotherly Love
"This is yours," Jon Cryer said to TV brother Charlie Sheen when he accepted a Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series Emmy for his role as Alan on CBS' 'Two and a Half Men." In the press room, when we asked Cryer if he's really going to hand over his statue to Sheen, the actor replied, "I intend to keep it ... I'm going to get a copy of it made, and I will give that to Charlie. He can keep it in his home to remind him of me."

Party Poopers
Cryer said that despite a long association with Sheen the two never socialized much together even during Sheen's "party days." "I'm working with Charlie during the most boring part of his life, and I hate it," joked Cryer. "He's been an amazingly wonderful guy."

'Lost' His Way
"Sometimes people delight in being a little scared or confused by me [in real life]," said Supporting Actor in a Drama winner Michael Emerson when he encounters fans of 'Lost,' who confuse him with his menacing character, Ben Linus.

She No Evil
When asked if her 'Damages' character, Patty Hewes, is evil, Lead Actress in a Drama winner Glenn Close firmly declared, "No, she's not ... I'm fascinated by her. It's like living a novel. Shows like ours are a new art form. We're not making episodes; we're making a 26-hour movie."

Host Subject
"It feels better [this year] to win," said 'Survivor''s Jeff Probst, winner of Outstanding Reality Competition Program Host, who took critical heat for hosting last year's Emmys with other reality host nominees. "Five people hosting a show is not a good idea," said Probst, adding that this year's host Neil Patrick Harris, of CBS' 'How I Met Your Mother,' was doing a great job. "That's the kind of guy you want up there," Probst stated.

Everything Old Is New Again
"[New season contestant] Russell makes Coach look like a picnic," Probst teased of the new season of 'Survivor.'

What Would Oprah Do?
"Probst speculated that since 'The Amazing Race' has won so many Emmys it might consider dropping out of the awards race like Oprah Winfrey has done since she's won so many Daytime Emmys for Outstanding Talk Show Host. "It's unlikely [we'll do that]," 'Race' executive producer Bertram Van Munster later said.

'Race' Time
"I thought 'Dancing With the Stars' had a good shot at winning," mused Van Munster. When asked if the producers or the network will decide when it's time to pull the plug on 'Race,' the multiple-Emmy-winning executive producer responded, "The audience will."

Dream Big
"You never dream you're going to win," said three-time Emmy winner Alec Baldwin for his role as Jack Donaghy on '30 Rock,' citing the accomplishments of fellow nominees Steve Carell ('The Office') and Jim Parsons ('The Big Bang Theory'). Asked about the possibility of 'Twilight''s Robert Pattinson making an appearance on '30 Rock,' Baldwin said he's sure the teen heartthrob has no shortage of invitations. He added that he'd like to see music legend Paul McCartney appear on the NBC sitcom.

'Idol' Chatter
Bruce Gowers, who won for directing 'American Idol,' denied that producers and judges help the singers decide their song selections: "They're on their own," he said. The director predicts higher ratings for 'Idol' this season, with the addition of Ellen DeGeneres: "Look forward to the unexpected," he says, though as up as he is on Ellen, don't think he's down on Paula. When asked what it was like to work with her, Gowers enthused, "It was wonderful."

Drew Too
"Half of this is [Drew Barrymore's]," exclaimed Jessica Lange, Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie winner for her role as Big Edie on 'Grey Gardens' on HBO. "It's Drew's, too. She knows that." (Barrymore was nominated in the same category for her role as Little Edie.)

The Eyes Have It
"It's just dawning on me now that there are probably millions of people around the world watching [the Emmys]," said Cherry Jones, who won for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama for her role as President Allison Taylor on Fox's '24.'

EMMYS SHOW & BACKSTAGE PHOTOS