Emmys Afterglow: What the Stars Said Off-Camera

Hollywood's top TV stars delivered some of their best lines once the Emmy cameras stopped rolling and there was no script in sight.

Whether basking backstage, celebrating at after-parties or chatting with fans outside the Nokia Theatre in LA, Emmy winners and also-rans had plenty to say after the awards program. And as entertaining as the show was, the things said off-stage may be more revealing than anything practiced for days in front of a mirror.

"Here, do you want to hold it?"
- Aaron Paul, star of "Breaking Bad," to a female well-wisher got him to pose for a picture with his brand new award.

“It feels like you’re being celebrated for something that you’re supposed to do.”
- George Clooney, who was honored with the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award for his tireless work for such causes as helping 9/11 victims, stopping violence in Darfur and raising money Haitian earthquake relief.

"The women I was up against are hysterically funny…So, yes, I am shocked….I really am just dumbfounded by the events of the evening.”
- "Nurse Jackie" star Edie Falco, who won best actress in a comedy series to go along with the best actress in a drama that she won for her role in "The Sopranos."

“I hope that The Pacific and the other things we’ve done has shown that there is, in fact, a business model to go off and tell stories that only last nine or ten hours.”
- Tom Hanks, who produced HBO's "The Pacific," which won for best miniseries.

"I'm thrilled about winning, but I'm starving. I must have some food."
- Sarah Hyland, of "Modern Family," as she ducked into a an LA restaurant after the show.

"My mom's thrilled, too, but not to the point of being teary. We're Swedes, and Swedes don't bawl."
- Glee star Jane Lynch after winning best supporting actress in a comedy.

"I had the best time out there. It was probably like a childhood dream to sing Bruce Springsteen in front of a stadium full of people. This is absolutely a dream come true."
- Emmy Awards host Jimmy Fallon, who brought down the house with his impression of The Boss.

"It's not our fault. We don't vote. It's not up to us. It's the voters. It's this mysterious Academy and no one knows who they are."
- "Daily Show" correspondent John Oliver on the show's Emmy domination.

“Today, I’m beyond my wildest dreams.”
- Kyra Sedgwick, who won best actress in a drama series for "The Closer."

“I got to understand…the fact that he had this vision and that he was an extraordinary man.”
- Al Pacino, who won best actor in a movie for playing assisted suicide advocate Dr. Jack Kevorkian in "You Don't Know Jack."

"When you look at "The West Wing" and "Hill Street Blues," those are two iconic pieces of television history, so it’s really fantastic to be near that.”
- "Mad Man" star Jon Hamm after the show won best drama for a record-tying third straight year.

“It’s more than I can take in….I feel like I’m gonna become a diabetic.”
- Bryan Cranston, who won his third consecutive best actor in a drama series for "Breaking Bad."

“I don’t think I’ve ever been as inspired by any character that I’ve played.  I was deeply moved by Temple’s courage.”
- Claire Danes, who won best actress in a miniseries or movie, for HBO’s "Temple Grandin."

Selected Reading: USA Today, reelrave.com, People.

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