She's (almost) always on the list

2007 EMAs: Love, Laughter and Green Livin'

Fri., Oct. 26, 2007 6:04 PM PDT by Sydne Summer

E! Entertainment

RSVPs: Sting, Blythe Danner, Rosario Dawson...
When: Oct. 24
Where: Ebell Club of Los Angeles

How are stars striving to save the environment? Well, Lindsay Lohan and Kiefer Sutherland are reducing carbon footprints by not driving—due to their DUIs. Paris Hilton is donating her time as a year-round receptacle. And Britney Spears is back on birth control in efforts to cut down on the white trash she produces.

Psych!

These are simply the jokes that flew out of host Joel McHale’s deliciously dirty mouth as he opened the 17th Annual Environmental Media Awards (EMAs). The event recognizes the entertainment industry for environmental efforts that are indeed helping planet Earth (and not just McHale's routine). For example, Cory in the House’s Maiara Walsh is an avid recycler, House’s Lisa Edelstein reuses rags instead of paper towels and Wendie Malick has been showering outdoors for the past seven years! And they've got nothing on Ed Begley Jr., or the “green guru,” as Wendie affectionately calls him. His eco-friendly lifestyle and evangelism has translated into his own television show, which is up for an award tonight.

Jean-Paul Aussenard/WireImage.com

Hot Global Cooling
Stars like Natasha Henstridge, Cold Case’s Kathryn Morris and Ugly Betty’s Ana Ortiz and Michael Urie pull up to the green carpet in Priuses and Vespas, respectively—the only rides allowed for those wanting to strut for the photogs. (Gas guzzlers have to valet two lanes down.) Inside, everything is “green,” literally and metaphorically. Water bottles serve as tulip vases, the wine and vodka are organic, and the playbill is made from recycled paper and soy ink. But this is not your stereotypical hippie-dippy granola scene. Hollywood has made green sexy.

Case in point: Presenter Jamie-Lynn Sigler, whose organza sea-foam Monique Lhuillier dress may be a subtle emphasis of the green theme but also makes her look even more ravishing than usual. Or take presenter Rosario Dawson, who could probably prompt any man to save the animals in her formfitting cheetah-print dress. Meow! Then there’s Joel’s cohost Niecy Nash, whose ubiquitous flower in the hair reminds us of Mother Nature’s beauty.

Paul Fenton/ZUMA Press

A Total Rack Star
Still, the Clean House star is anything but a demure little flower. She’s a brazen joke cracker, just like her cohost. “Why am I here tonight?” she asks the audience between award presentations. “Well, E! needs more black people on their network. And I have a nice rack.” That you do, Niecy, that you do.

Best of the Night
I don’t want to give the whole show away, considering you can watch the 2007 EMA Awards on E!, Wed., Nov. 7 at 8 p.m. But here are some highlights:

Kevin Mazur/WireImage.com

1. Little Apple Paltrow is blessed to have a grandma like Blythe Danner. Gwyneth’s mom presents Trudie Styler with EMA’s Lifetime Achievement Award with such grace and kindness it might make you tear up a little. Then there’s Trudie herself, who’s a green goddess due to her extensive work alongside Sting—who, yes, is at the show but is allowing his wife to enjoy the spotlight.

Bennett Raglin/WireImage.com

2. Gerard Butler is extremely hard to understand—except when he tells Joel to “shut up.” But who’s listening? With Gerard, it's all about the visuals. H'wood Party Girl has a new crush in the form of this Scottish import.

George Pimente/WireImage.com

3. Amber Tamblyn has totally sexed up her image. Sure, she can barely walk across the stage in her sky-high Christian Louboutins, but she looks smokin’ hot. I doubt those traveling pants from the first rendition of the Sisterhood even fit anymore. Too much sexy!

John Shearer Wireimage.com

4. Joel McHale has a strange infatuation with Ryan Seacrest. His first remarks onstage are, “Is Ryan here tonight? Check under your seat and let me know.” Then, the Seacrest mentions continue at the after-party. “I’m obsessed with him,” Joel says before munching on an organic spread of food. “He is my lord.” Ryan—first a radio host and now a lord. Wonder if he’ll run for president?

Politics and British It Girls
Speaking of presidents, or former vice presidents at least, Al Gore wins the big kahuna Outstanding Achievement Award to go along with his recent Nobel Peace Prize, Emmy and Oscar. You can catch his speech as well as Futures Award Winner Sienna Miller’s acceptance on Nov. 7 at 8 p.m. on E! Until then, check out the green carpet clips below.