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Dogs have always been man’s best friend, but it’s only been in the last few decades that we have started behaving as if it works both ways.  That’s an encapsulation of an idea that Betty White expressed last night, when she was honored at the Second Annual American Humane Association’s Hero Dog Awards — and Betty is one who would know.

The 90-year-old national treasure has been an animal lover throughout her lifetime, of course, going back to the days that, according to her, animal advocates were viewed as “a bunch of zealots” and our beastie besties were strictly considered beneath us.  Now, though, every year we’re discovering more capabilities of these wonderful creatures, Betty enthused.

Kristin Chenoweth presents a new line of greeting cards for dogs — not too seriously — at the Hero Dog Awards

At the Hero Dog Awards, many of these remarkable capabilities were celebrated, as eight Hero Dog honorees and their stories were introduced with the help of emcee Kristin Chenoweth (and her own dog, Madeline Kahn Chenoweth), Joey Lawrence, Jewel, Pauley Perette, Kellie Martin, Denise Richards, Naomi Judd, Mark Steines, Jake T. Austin and other celebs.

For instance, there’s Jynx, the Law Enforcement/Arson Dog honoree.  He was on duty with his handler, Deputy Sheriff Kyle Pagerly of the Berks County Sheriff’s Department, and other officers in rough terrain — and the German Shepherd alone detected a bad guy lying in wait, ready to ambush the law men with a sub machine gun and a cache of other weapons.  Jynx alerted the deputies to the gunman’s presence, attacked the gunman — who nevertheless managed to fire several shots at Pagerly — and then attempted to pull his wounded master to safety.    Pagerly died at the hospital, but the other officers on the scene that day feel they owe the hero dog their lives.   Jynx now lives with Pagerly’s widow and baby daughter.   It was Mrs. Pagerly, only a few weeks pregnant when she lost her 28-year-old husband,  who tearfully accepted Jynx’ award — and a heartfelt standing ovation from the crowd.

There are stories of therapy dogs who’ve saved lives and brought troubled humans out of their shells, stories of courageous canines on the battlefield, dogs who’ve given people with disabilities ways to live normal lives.   Yes, have the hankies handy if you watch the Hero Dog Awards on The Hallmark Channel November 8.  Each honoree is loveable and deserving, unlike other awards shows we could name.

The Beverly Hilton Hotel’s Grand Ballroom, where such galas as the Golden Globes take place, was again the setting for the Hero Dog Awards, with quite a few canines, large and small, there to enjoy the event first-paw.  (Whatever must those doggies have thought of being applauded by a ballroom full of people?)  The crowd feasted upon sauteed tenderloin of beef and seared citrus olive marinated filet of sea bass — and a dessert of espresso almond tiramisu in a chocolate cup, complete with white chocolate hero dog medallions.   For those who watched the first Hero Dogs Awards last year, with Carson Kressley as host — expect a more even program this year.

Valerie Harper

Valerie Harper may return to the series scene this year –  but it won’t be in a vehicle that’s mean-spirited toward the senior set.  The four-time Emmy winner is awaiting word on two pilots and says, “I’d love to do a series again and stay on the West Coast, but it has to be right.  I turned down two pilots last year because they didn’t feel right to me.”

 She explains, “I’ve been offered things that kind of make fun of older people, but not in a humorous way.  It’s almost like a bunch of young guys in a room said, ‘Oh, what’s funny about an old woman?’  And then it gets to be tiresome.  You can be absolutely legitimately funny with older people.  Phil Rosenthal, who wrote ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’ — the older couple played by Doris Roberts and Peter Boyle in that show were hilarious.  But it wasn’t vulgar about her wanting a boob job or this or that — stuff that isn’t real.”

Harper, who’s among the stars of  Saturday’s (1/7) Hallmark Channel Original Movie, “Fixing Pete” — is certainly no prig.  For instance, “I did ‘Sex in the City,’ which was a wonderful show,” she notes.  “You could say it was vulgar, but it was vulgarity in the service of comedy.”

And of course, she was absolutely bawdy, naughty and witty as notorious 1930s actress Tallulah Bankhead (“I’m pure as the driven slush”) in Looped, the role that brought her a 2010 Tony nomination.  “I think we’re going to tour that, but it’s hard,” she says.  “The truth is, most of the touring companies now are musicals, but this, Looped, was so hilariously funny.  Tony and I are talking about it.  He produced it,” she says, referring to her husband of 24 years, Tony Cacciotti.

Harper says she didn’t hesitate when it came to joining the cast of the very light romantic comedy, “Fixing Pete.”  Her newspaper editor-in-chief role was “different for me — to play that kind of power person.  She has her eye on saving the paper.  In this time of papers going under, she’s grasping.  And she’s got this guy (Dylan Bruno) who’s a real mess but he’s popular and the sports pages are what’s keeping her circulation going.”  Harper’s character assigns rising fashion editor Brooke Burns to give the manchild a makeover to make him more presentable before he goes out on a book tour, and a battle of the sexes ensues.  “I thought it harkened back to Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy.  Brooke and Dylan did a fun job,” Harper says. 

The actress, whose other recent turns have included playing a judge on “Drop Dead Diva” and the boozy aunt of Teri Hatcher on “Desperate Housewives,” also has her work as a Screen Actors Guild board member keeping her busy these days — and she’s part of SAG’s taskforce to help returning veterans find jobs.

She comments, “The older I get, the more I like being a crone.  You know, the crones were the wise old women of the village.  I don’t have to be cute.”

MEANWHILE:  Harper is looking forward to being on hand for Betty White’s 90th Birthday celebration on NBC Jan. 16.  The two have remained friends since their “Mary Tyler Moore Show” days, and Harper admits she’s in awe.  “Betty is just an incredible woman, still going strong and doing all her stuff for animals.  We see each other, yes, and I often call her for advice.  I’ll say, ‘We found a cat.  Where do we take it?’  And she’ll say, ‘Oh, Valerie, there’s a no-kill shelter not too far from your house…’  And she always knows.  She’s so involved, so on top of it all.” 

NO EXCUSES:  The story of blind high school football player Travis Freeman is getting the movie treatment as “Sight Unseen.”   The film is now planned to begin production in early April in Kentucky, where the real story took place in the 1980s and 90s.  Patricia Clarkson and Dylan Baker are set to star, and the cast is being filled out.  When he was 12, Freeman nearly died and lost his sight in a battle with bacterial meningitis — but that didn’t stop him from playing center for the Corbin High Redhounds.  He claimed blindness could even be an asset, in that opponents couldn’t use visual techniques to fake him out.  He ran sprints, thrilled and inspired his teammates with his willingness to try anything.  Good story. 

THE BIG SCREEN SCENE:  Large guys rule in “Take Down the House,” a comedy feature now in preproduction that’s being referred to as a “revenge of the fatties.”  It’s about four young overweight dudes glad to have left their high school bullies behind and moved on to college, only to find a frat pack waiting to humiliate them.  But this time, they’re not taking it anymore.

Carson Kressley, Betty White "Hero Dog Awards"

 The inimitable Carson Kressley shows off his abilities as an awards show emcee tonight (11/11) on the American Humane Association’s “Hero Dog Awards,” which “isn’t exactly the Golden Globes, but it’s a start,” he says. 

It also happens to be Carson’s birthday, and the long-time animal advocate and doggie devotee couldn’t be happier about sharing his day with the group of corageous and care-giving canines who became finalists in this first annual event honoring top dogs. 

“It’s amazing to see these stories of rescue dogs on 9/11, dogs serving in Iraq” — appropriately enough, this Veterans Day — “and dogs helping people with disabilities live a more full life.  It runs the gamut,” he says. 

 Not only that, “The dogs were actually better behaved than most celebrities at awards shows.  No one called each other names or touched me inappropriately,” he says of the service animals present for the affair in the famous Beverly Hilton Hotel ballroom.   

 

As far as taking on hosting chores, Carson tells us, “I have people over all the time, and it was just like that, except Betty White and Peter Fonda were there.  I think the producers did a great job making a top-notch event.  I was shocked by how glamorous and well-run it turned out to be.”  The affair also attracted Julianne Hough, Michael Vartan, Pauley Perrette, Joey Lawrence, Victoria Stilwell, Faith Ford and other celebs.

Plus, “I got to have a TV moment with Betty White,” Carson says.  “Of course, she’s such a legend.  I got to interview her and I said, ‘You’re the most loved celebrity in Hollywood,’ and she said, ‘No I’m not.’  And I said, ‘Yes you are!’…

“She’s so professional, so old school, she had her script memorized,” he adds.  Nevertheless, there was a brief moment of confusion involving the Teleprompter, and Carson stepped forward onstage and “tapped her on the shoulder.  She turned around and said, ‘Who told you you could touch me?!’  And I was like, ‘What?’ And then she embraced me and I knew we were good to go,” he brightly relates.  The recent “Dancing With the Stars” contestant then danced the octogenarian Golden Girl off the stage.

Carson says he will soon be celebrating his birthday with a trip to Buenos Aires, “now that I know how to tango, and before I forget.”

Carson Kressley, Darla the Cesar Spokesdog, Julianne Hough Hallmark Channel photo

Betty White, Julianne Hough, Michael Vartan, Pauley Perrette, Joey Lawrence, Victoria Stilwell, Faith Ford and a pack of other dog-loving celebrities turned out to honor extraordinary canines at the American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards over the weekend.  There were lots of laughs with host Carson Kressley.  Presenters including Peter Fonda added memorable moments.  And performances by Five for Fighting’s John Ondrasik were beautiful and moving.   But clearly, the celebrities of the night were Sadie, Zurich, Stacey Mae, Bino, Sage, Harley, Ricochet and the late, great guide dog Roselle, who safely led her blind partner, Michael Hingson, down 78 flights of stairs in Tower One of the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001.

Each Hero Dog’s story – with their amazing abilities and depth of devotion — is enough to bring tears to the eyes of animal lovers.  The show, airing Nov. 11 on Hallmark Channel, is not to be missed.

“I love dogs and any event that we can honor these great creatures, as much as they do for us, I want to be there for them,” Joey Lawrence told us before the start of the show that took place in the Grand Ballroom of the Beverly Hilton Hotel.  “I think it’s cool.”  (By the way, Joey has a Black Labrador, an Australian Heeler and a German Shepherd at home.)  

The “Melissa & Joey” star presented honors to Emerging Hero Dog Ricochet — a Golden Retriever who surfs with special needs children and disabled adults.  Video of Ricochet’s story of finding her own calling after being released from a service dog training program went viral with 3.6 million views.

Betty White, looking smashing in red, talked with a twinkle about her beloved Pontiac — her Golden Retreiver — before giving a presentation that ended with her literally dancing into the wings with Carson Cressley.  Carson’s “Dancing With the Stars” pro partner, Anna Trebunskaya, was on hand in the audience to cheer him on.  

Cesar canine cuisine sponsored the event, and the company’s Westie  spokesdog was there to present one of the awards with Pauley Perrette.  The “NCIS” actress cuddled the pooch and pronounced him (actually, it’s a her) her favorite copresenter ever before noting that you’ve got to love an awards show where it’s okay to have animal fur on your clothes.

Guests dined on seabass and tenderloin of beef accompanied by dauphinoise potatoes and herb grilled tomatoes, and a chocolate mousse dessert garnished with a white chocolate cartoon dalmation and a dark chocolate Hero Dog bone.

We caught up with Hingson backstage after Roselle was proclaimed the top dog among top dogs.   

Michael Hingson and Roselle

“She was a great dog.  I’m just so, so happy she was honored.  We’re really excited,” he said.  Hingson’s 9/11 experience with his faithful guide leading him down 1,463 stairs — occasionally being petted and greeted by firefighters on their way up — led him into a new career.  He’s working with Guide Dogs for the Blind, and has traveled all over the country and abroad giving keynote speeches that promote dogs, teamwork and trust.  He’s delighted that the Hero Dog Awards will raise even more awareness of the incredible assets of these canine companions.  “I’m hoping to have a chance to do more work with the American Humane Association,” he says.

“I loved her and I miss her so much,” he adds of the yellow Lab, who died just this past summer.  “I tell people that whenever someone wants in heaven, they ring the bell at the door and she barks, telling St. Peter, ‘Better get that.’”

Here’s hoping that this Inaugural Hero Dog Awards event will be the first of many, many more.

Jane Leeves, Betty White, Valerie Bertinelli, Wendie Malick TV Land photo by CXraig T. Mathew

With “Hot in Cleveland” returning for its second season Wednesday (1/19) and promotional demands picking up as well, Wendie Malick acknowledges that she and Jane Leeves and Valerie Bertinelli tend to watch out for their cultural phenomenon cast mate, Betty White, who turned 89 yesterday (1/17).

“That’s kind of the rule of thumb.  We’re all here to look out for each other.  Look, we know we’re in the presence of a national treasure here, but she’s a strong one.  She’s a tough broad, I have to tell you,” Malick says.

“She’s got some kind of constitution.  The woman lives on hot dogs and french fries.  I was trying to get her to eat salad with grilled salmon and my husband said, ‘Will you stop?  Whatever she’s been doing is obviously working.’  Maybe red licorice is the secret to a long life.”

The hit status of “Hot in Cleveland”  is a welcome surprise to the series team.  “We all knew it would be a longshot because there were so few pieces about mature women.  But you had to know at some point something would have to work, because there are so many baby boomer women out there who are reinventing ourselves, who are starting new chapters of life.”

With a guest star roster including Mary Tyler Moore, Bonnie Franklin, Carl Reiner, Tim Conway, Melanie Griffith, Peri Gilpin, Joe Jonas and Jon Lovitz, the hitcom also has a few twists on the way.  Among them:  Malick’s character, ex-soap star Victoria Chase, is headed for a stint on daytime’s “All My Children” toward the end of the month in a first-of-its-kind exchange between a prime time show and a daytime show on different networks.

“It is so confusing,” says Malick — who requested being billed as Victoria Chase in “OLTL” credits, rather than as Wendie Malick.

“We’re having trouble keeping track.  Okay, this is a show within a show.  Now I’m playing a character who is playing a character.” She doesn’t know what the soap writers have in mind for her as yet.  “I’m completely putting myself at their mercy.  It will be interesting to see what they come up with, knowing the dynamic between Victoria and Susan Lucci.  She did a cameo on our show in the season finale, where she accepted an Emmy on my behalf,” reminds Malick, whose character was filled with chagrin.

She’ll be shooting “Hot in Cleveland” and “One Life to Live” at the same time, “double teaming a little.  I know they’ll try to shoot all my things at once.  I’ll rehearse a few hours on my show, then shoot a few hours with them.”

It’s a time squeeze most actors would love to have.  “Oh, yes, says Malick.  “You really want to be a little too busy.”

You Again Stars Betty White, Jamie Lee Curtis, Sigourney Weaver, Odette Yustman, Kristen Bell photo by Mark Fellman

“You Again” director Andy Fickman might just be going from one multigenerational romp to another.  With his Kristen Bell-Jamie Lee Curtis-Sigourney Weaver-Betty White comedy due for release this Friday (9/24), the prolific moviemaker tells us he has a Billy Crystal picture in the works.

“Billy is one of my favorite comedic actors.  I know he’s been so busy – directing, doing his book, his Broadway show – but speaking purely as a fan, I really want to see him back on the big screen again,” says Fickman.

He’s awaiting a rewrite now from Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel on the ye- untitled Crystal film he describes as “tonally very much like ‘Parenthood.’  It has to do with how we treat our parents, and how our parents treat us as well.  It’s going to be fun.”

Fun, too, was the process of making “You Again,” he wants us to know.  The movie has Bell and Curtis having to confront their nightmare high school adversaries — Odette Yustman and Sigourney Weaver – as new members of their family.

George Clooney

George Clooney proved again how utterly charming he is, Al Pacino quoted Michelangelo, and Kyra Sedgwick talked the fifth time being the charm backstage at the 62^nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards.

Maybe it was that First Amendment question that got things rolling.   George Clooney, honored with the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award for his fund-raising work including this year’s multi-network telethon for Haiti earthquake relief, was asked about the conflict between wanting to maintain some kind of privacy in his life and his belief in the First Amendment.

He said firmly that, as the son of a newsman, “I always felt that the inconveniences I have are worth it rather than infringing on anyone else’s rights.”

Alrighty then, open season!

Clooney quickly deflected a question about his date – girlfriend Elisabetta Canalis — noting that “She picked me up in Italy” and yes, she was around.

He said he’d spent part of his day shooting hoops:  “John Krasinski came over to my house with a bunch of guys to play basketball.  If you see him later, well, he’s limping.”

Illustrating anew that the stars’ biggest fans are other stars, Clooney confessed to a moment of that star-struck feeling when he found himself with Al Pacino and Tom Selleck in the green room, and “suddenly I’m 14 years old.  It’s very funny.”

He also gave the telecast its first glowing review:  “The show is really good tonight.  Jimmy Fallon is just really killing it.  He’s just really funny.”

George on Prop 8 being lifted:  “I think it’s terrific.  Now it’s unlifted again…These are things that take a long time to change…People will look back on this period of history and think of it as an archaic time.”

George on his “ER” leading lady, Julianna Margulies, presenting his award:  “It’s pretty great. We’ve stayed in touch.  We’re good friends.”

Clooney talked about the namesake of his award, Bob Hope, noting, “It wasn’t just the USO shows.  That’s something everybody remembers him for 50 years.  He was one of the great charitable actors.  He did it all, always a great sense of humor.  He was fun.  He’d just show up and do something.”  Asked what he learned from Hope, Clooney, who knew the iconic comedian personally as a young man, recalled that “What you learn from him was, he didn’t take himself seriously.  I really appreciated that.”  Clooney recalled that Hope’s wife Dolores sang with his aunt, Rosemary Clooney, on her “Salute” show, and “she was great.  She’s 101 now and really doing great.”

Noting several times that he felt a little awkward to be getting an award for doing the right thing, Clooney insisted, “I don’t particularly do more than anybody else in the position I’m in.”

Well, not everyone organizes record-breaking, multi-network telethons full of A- List celebrities to help victims of the Haiti earthquake, the South Asia tsunami and Sept. 11 — raises hundreds of millions of dollars, and then follows up to ensure that the money is being used properly as Clooney does.  But anyway, he went on, “If you have a tremendous amount of heat from the spotlight, you’re able to deflect some of it onto people who could really use it.  My dad calls it a ‘Celebrity Credit Card’ that you can try to cash in other places.”

Al Pacino

Al Pacino, who won Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie for his portrayal of Dr. Jack Kevorkian in “You Don’t Know Jack,” admitted that he felt a bit out of place at the TV honors.  “I’m just so used to movies,” he said, noting that he considered his HBO “You Don’t Know Jack” to be a movie, though it was shown on small screen.

“You’re a little lost.  You’re in the midst of all these TV people and you feel a little like you don’t belong.  You still feel like a movie person,” said Al.

Holding an Emmy had to have helped.

Pacino talked about the controversial medico known as Dr. Death for assisting suicides of terminally ill patients, saying he only got to know Kevorkian after making the movie, but “I’m so glad I got to know him.  He’s got that kind of intelligence where you can ask him anything and he’ll come up with something different from what you expected.”

Pacino lost weight to play Kevorkian, a notoriously finicky eater who has impassioned feelings against fat – yet is known to sneak sweets, according to Al.  He joked, “Gaining weight is much easier.  I wish I had to gain weight for a part.  Losing weight requires exercise, and “I’m from the Oscar Wilde school…Whenever I get the urge to exercise, I lie down until it passes.”

He told press he considers it a plus to play a real-life character:  “It’s great when you know somebody exists…It sort of frees you.  As Michelangelo said: ‘Free me of myself, Lord, so I can please you.’  I had that with Frank Serpico when I played him.  Actors like it, it’s very nourishing.”

Kyra Sedgwick

Kyra Sedgwick, who took home her first Emmy (outstanding Lead Actress for “The Closer”) in five nominations, was asked whether she’d been afraid of turning into another Susan Lucci, notorious for always being nominated but never winning.  “I love Susan Lucci,” she said.  “I kind of think you think you haven’t got a chance in hell after five times, but it’s always such a gift to be invited to the party.”

Looking amazing in her purple Monique Lhuillier gown, Kyra added that she reached the point, “I started to placate myself” with remembering that a lot of great actors never won Emmys – Martin Sheen, for instance, never won for “The West Wing.”  “I’d find solace in such things.”

With hubby Kevin Bacon in the press room nearby, sipping champagne while she fielded questions, Kyra was asked about competition between the famous couple.

“I think Kev’s won more….We don’t play the same roles…Of course there’s no rivalry.”  She says they always joke around about whether there’s enough room for another award.

Eric Stonestreet

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series winner Eric Stonestreet talked eloquently and movingly about reaction to his portrayal of a dad with a same-sex partner on “Modern Family.”  “I can tell you what people say to me – I get amazing compliments from kids of same sex families.”  He cited a “gentleman who was raised by two moms” who had recently adopted another daughter.  He thanked Stonestreet, saying that now, if bullies ever taunt his sister, “she can say, ‘Look at Mitch and Cam – you like them.”

Mitch and Cam, of course, are the couple played by Jesse Tyler Ferguson and himself.   Ferguson and cast mate Ty Burrell were also nominated in the same category, so one reporter wondered whether there’d be awkwardness on the set Monday.

“No, not at all, we had all joked around abut that before — if any one of us won whether it would be fun to punch each other in the stomach or walk out.”  However, “This was a win for the show…We love our job, so it won’t be awkward at all.”

Stonestreet and “Modern Family” executive producer Steve Levitan – who came into the press room after the show won Outstanding Comedy Series honors – both stressed that the upcoming episode in which Cam and Mitch kiss was planned a long time ago.   That is, before the controversy grew over their lack of physicality on the series.  Although, as Stonestreet acknowledged, it’s going “to look like we caved to public pressure, it was planned before.”

Asked about where he found inspiration for his portrayal, Stonestreet pointed to his mom – “spell it right” – Jamey and her excitable, emotional, passionately caring ways.  After he keeps it for a couple of weeks, he’s sending his Emmy to her and his father Vince to keep, he says.

He’s had a lot of women tell him that they identify with Cam.

Edie Falco

“Nurse Jackie’s” Edie Falco came right out and said what a lot of people were thinking about her winning as Outsanding Actress in a Comedy – over a group of funny ladies that included Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Lea Michele, Toni Collette, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus.   Said Falco:  “Tina Fey, for heaven’s sake.  It’s ridiculous!”  She also said, “The women I was up against are hysterically funny, talented comedians.  I’m not playing coy here.  I’m just dumbfounded by the events of the evening.”  She added, “But I’m happy to be here nonetheless.”

As for what she planned to do to celebrate?  “I hadn’t planned on celebrating.  I’d planned on going home and ordering room service,” Falco said.  But she was glad to make a change in her plans.

Tom Hanks

For those die-hards who care about the coarsening of public discourse in America today, Betty White’s “What the hell are you looking at” during the opening number of the Emmy show this year no doubt felt like a let down.  Et tu, Betty?  Later, after his “The Pacific” won the Emmy for Outstanding Miniseries, Tom Hanks dropped the F-bomb backstage.  At least he apologized right away.  He got carried away when a reporter mentioned how HBO and his Playtone production company continue to be winners, and Tom answered with “$#%-in’ A!”

Hanks also talked about the fact he was sorry there were only two nominees in the category, since there are certain stories that so well suited to the form.  He hopes “The Pacific” serves as a model.  As for what will come next from the firm that has gifted the public with a phenomenal string of artistically, intellectually and emotionally satisfying productions (“From the Earth to the Moon,” “John Adams,” “Band of Brothers” to name three), Hanks said they’re still three or four years away from unveiling any new projects.

Padma Lakshmi

When it comes to the night’s most overtly competitive personality, honors have to go to “Top Chef’s” Padma Lakshmi.  She made it clear that she’d had enough of “Amazing Race” winning “Outstanding Reality – Competition” honors year after year.  “I was really mean to the host on the red carpet.  I think I hit him twice with my purse,” she said.  “I said, ‘You’re going down.’”  And so they did – and “Top Chef” got the Emmy.

Claire Danes

“It’s always nice to see someone who is getting old with you,” said Anthony Edwards, asked about his former “ER” cast mate George Clooney being honored the same night that Edwards’ “Temple Grandin” won seven out of 15 Emmy nominations, becoming one of the huge winners of this year’s awards.

Edwards is one of the executive producers of the telefilm that won Emmys for Made for Television Movie, Outstanding Lead Actress for Claire Danes, Outstanding Director for Mick Jackson, and Supporting Actor and Actress Emmys for David Strathairn and Julia Ormond.  Getting the bio-pic made was a ten-year effort.  “I was very involved from an early part of the journey…Trying to sell a movie about a woman who is autistic and designs slaughterhouses – it’s not the easiest sell,” Edwards admitted.

Clearly, however, it was worth it.  Grandin herself was in the press room, and pointed out that the telefilm has a lot to say about autism and clearing up misconceptions about the nature of the malady.  She noted that autistics range from “Silicon Valley geniuses” to severely afflicted persons who can’t even speak.

She also said she had faith in Emily Gerson Saines, the lead Exec producer and driving force behind the film of “Temple Grandin.”  Saines’ own son is autistic, and she founded the Autism Coalition for Research and Education that’s now a part of Autism Speaks.

Said Grandin, “I knew a mom would get it right.”

Asked what made this win special, Claire Danes declared, “I don’t think I’ve ever worked harder on a performance. It was epic in its scope.  And I don’t think I’ve ever been as inspired by any part I’ve played.”  She feels that Grandin and the film of her story “encourage positive change in the world. That’s wonderful.  I don’t expect to have another opportunity like this.”

Danes admitted that her shimmery golden Armani Prive gown was “not as uncomfortable as it could be.”  She wasn’t complaining.  After all, “It’s a party dress and we’re gonna party!”

Betty White, Tim Conway

Legendary TV funnymen Tim Conway and Carl Reiner guest on Wednesday’s (7/28) “Hot in Cleveland” episode on TV Land, playing rivals for Betty White’s affections.  And Tim declares, “I had such a great time, I’m going to insist on coming back, whether they want to film it or not.”

He adds, “I haven’t had that much fun since I was on the [Carol] Burnett show.”

Carl Reiner

As far as whether he or Carl is the more suitable suitor for the 88-year-old wonder girl, Tim dead pans, “I’m the right guy.  I’m the right guy for any lady, actually.  Carl – unfortunately, he’s too bright for women.  I’m more in their IQ class.”

Yes, still naughty at 76, six Emmy-winner Conway these days divides his work time between occasional guest spots on the tube – like his “CSI” stint this past April – and taking his “Tim Conway and Friends” show with Chuck McCann and Louise DuArt on the road.

His “Together Again” shows with Harvey Korman used to pack ‘em in.  Tim says, “I enjoyed going out together when Harvey was working.  He’s not doing anything lately though.”  Korman died in 2008.

Fortunately, “Chuck and Louise and I, we just get along so well.  It’s kind of a traveling Burnett show.  We don’t have to apologize for anything.  It’s good for all ages.”

Referring to today’s raunchy, bloody television, Tim says, “That was one of the reasons that I took the show on the road.  I didn’t want to get involved in that.  Most scripts that come to me, I read about 12 pages and I go, ‘I don’t think so.’

“Don Knotts and I used to talk a lot about what the audience expects from us – him being known as Barney Fife of Mayberry and me as that crazy Tim guy.   Rather than get involved in things with violence and nudity and raw language, we decided to stay where we were.  Funny is funny.  And I’ve never regretted it.”

Betty White

It’s almost June, and you know what that means! Something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue. We’re talking, of course, about the summer TV season and faces to watch this time of year, when things are looser and quirkier than during the school year. Here are 10 faces to watch:

Betty White. At 88, our favorite octogenarian Superstar is back in the series game with TV Land’s ‘Hot in Cleveland’ (premiering June 16) as the caretaker of a rental property inhabited by Jane Leeves, Valerie Bertinelli and Wendie Malick. Her Elka Ostrovsky character is full of vinegar and naughtiness.

Virginia Madsen. The ‘Sideways’ Oscar nominee brings her singular presence to ABC June 20 with ‘Scoundrels,’ playing the mother of a crime family — that is, her husband (David James Elliott) and kids are criminals. When hubby gets sent up the river, she decides it’s time to go straight, and lots of luck. Do as I say, kids, not as I do.

Rhona Mitra. What could really liven up a neighborhood? How about a sexy vampire? ‘The Gates’ has already been widely accused of brazenly trying to capitalize on the ‘Twilight’ craze, so we won’t bother. Other supernatural creatures are on the prowl in this community — a witch, a high school jock/werewolf — with Frank Grillo of ‘Prison Break’ as the new cop in town.

Jason Lee. All right, we have the something old, something new and something borrowed. Let’s call Lee’s ‘Memphis Beat’ something blues, since the new TNT cop drama (June 22 premiere) is drenched in bluesy sensibility, including Lee’s detective character’s proclivity for performing — his favorite way to let off steam after a hard day’s work chasing bad guys: Making a clean-shaven break from his ‘My Name is Earl’ title character as he trades comedy for drama, Lee already has critics excited.

Terry Crews and Ice Cube. With Crews (‘Everybody Hates Chris’) taking over Ice Cube’s role from the big-screen ‘Are We There Yet?’ in the small-screen version that debuts on TNT June 2 — Ice Cube is free to launch a new character of a SWAT team member/disapproving brother-in-law.

Beth Ostrosky Stern. If you like irony, then you’re bound to find something amusing in the fact that sleaze meister Howard Stern’s gorgeous wife is making her series debut Monday (5/31) on a reality show with a premise about inner beauty and moral rectitude being more important than outward appearance. Well, as important, maybe. It’s the second season of the Tyra Banks and Ashton Kutcher-produced ‘True Beauty’

Colin Hanks and Bradley Whitford. These two have fun chemistry as a two-generation cop team on ‘Good Guys,’ the Fox show that debuts June 7.

Piper Perabo. The ‘Coyote Ugly’ and ‘Cheaper by the Dozen’ actress turns super spy in USA Network’s CIA dramedy ‘Covert Affairs.’ The cable channel has called the show, debuting in July, its most ambitious ever.

Plus…NBC has ‘Persons Unknown’ debuting June 7, with Alan Ruck of ‘Spin City’ and a group of actors unknown as a collection of kidnapped strangers trapped in a nightmare-worthy mansion, being watched by hidden forces via constantly-present cameras. It’s been compared to the vintage ‘The Prisoner.’

And…When it comes to faces to watch….ABC gets the prize for unique, OMG storylines coming up this summer, and wouldn’t you know? We’re talking about a non-fiction show: Among other things, ‘Boston Med’ will take us through the saga of a full facial transplant, including looks at the donor (a Hollywood marketing genius) and the recipient, a burned Vietnam veteran. The eight-part series debuts June 24.