While many a lazy writer has led a story by citing Andy Warhol's observation that in the future everybody will have 15 minutes of fame, few people pay any attention to the fine print on the Pop Art icon's prediction. Warhol was actually issuing a warning that not only will all people have the chance to be famous, but that everybody will be famous at the same time. The red carpet at Sunday's (Sept. 19) 56th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards offered significant proof that at this moment in time entirely too many people are famous or, more to the point, that there are entirely too many people who think they're famous.

There used to be a time when the scripted stars avoided the print press at the Emmys, but reality contestants (winners and losers) were only too happy to stop and chat. Just last year, the stars of CBS' "Amazing Race" were wandering around directionless looking for somebody to rescue them. This year, between an Emmy win and a dramatic boost in ratings this summer, the remaining "Race" teams were suddenly in huge demand. Between the fetching, cleavage baring beauty queens Christie and Nicole and the wildly popular Charla and Mirna, it was like the "Race" stars took a Yield to skip the press.

It's never been surprising to see James Gandolfini or Matt LeBlanc or Al Pacino whisked away without meeting and greeting the media, but when "Survivor: All-Stars" power couple Rob and Amber get to be aloof and Omarosa is an icon without peer, it's a topsy turvy year. If today's needy sub-famous are next year's legends-in-their-own-minds, keep an eye on the rude mechnicals from ABC's reality shows, because while Ty Pennington was somewhat in demand, those crazy docs from "Extreme Makeover" were begging people to make eye contact, much less ask questions about gristly augmentations.

With ABC practicing benign neglect by allowing the red carpet to become even more clogged with unauthorized personnel than in years past, reporters were forced to jump fences and swarm the carpet like vultures looking for familiar faces wandering with an aimless gait, or stars with less than attentive handlers.

On the carpet, conversation naturally turned to HBO's potential dominance of the evening and two familiar faces who could no longer grace the Emmy festivities -- John Ritter and Joan Rivers.

The following is an assemblage of quotes from stars who made themselves available on the red carpet. It would behoove future nominees to note that Michael Imperioli, Jeffrey Wright, Anthony and Joe Russo and Elaine Stritch made the point to chat with Zap2it and they all walked away with trophies. We have a higher percentage than "Access Hollywood."

"He made a foolish mistake. It was arrogant." -- "Apprentice" winner Bill Rancic weighing in on the abrupt dismissal of Bradford last week in what was truly the most dramatic boardroom ceremony ever. When asked to handicap the outstanding reality race, Rancic declared, with nary a hint of arrogance, "There is no other reality series."

"I'd like to see John Ritter win, just in honor of him and everything that happened. That'd be a nice tribute for him if he pulled it out for his family." -- Rancic on the late Ritter's immense posthumous pull.

"I'm sad about it. I mean I would like to know what she thinks. I'm crushed." -- Brad Dourif, a nominee for "Deadwood," desperately craving Joan Rivers' approval for his scruffy period facial hair.

"I think those other shows are spiraling downward and giving the image we don't want to portray to the public. You'll never hear us say anybody's an ugly duckling. Everybody has their own beauty within themselves and our job is to unlock that." -- Dr. Anthony Griffin of "Extreme Makeover" taking those evil "Swan" surgeons to task. Griffin went on to say of his red carpet experiences, "I've seen a lot of silicone, a lot of collagen, a lot of botox, nice boobs, lots of boobs."

"For the show, everyone knows that this was a show that was saved by critics, so certainly these nominations have gone a long way toward ensuring the future of the show and a win would help also. It has a small but passionate audience and this is something that can help get some new eyes on it." -- Anthony Russo, executive producer and director on "Arrested Development," explaining why the ceremony may be more important for his show than any other.

"The boardroom is a little quieter and there's not as many people and I can handle it a little better." George Ross of "The Apprentice," looking entirely uncomfortable facing the good people of E!

"I no longer have any pubic hair." -- Jeff Garlin of "Curb Your Enthusiasm" explaining that his pre-Emmy ritual with co-star Larry David included a bikini wax.

"If I had to bet, I'm betting on 'The Apprentice,' frustrating as that is to me. If I'm putting my money up, I'll bet on Donald [Trump] and Mark [Burnett], which is why I'm holding onto the fact that we're kicking their ass in the ratings. On the way home, that will be the solace that I take." -- Jeff Probst of "Survivor," showing a lack of faith in his own show, but getting down to the truly important information.

"If you're a comedian, you don't really look forward to walking down the red carpet. I'm a guy and a comedian. I don't want to walk down the red carpet. But I do. Because I have a publicist who makes me." -- Garlin again, showing more refreshing honesty.

"We know we're a great show, but individually it'd be a great feeling for everybody to finally get nationally recognized or internationally recognized." -- Tony "Pauly Walnuts" Sirico, reflecting on the common sentiment that this might be the year for "The Sopranos" to win outstanding drama.

"We're overdue. I don't see why we wouldn't win it. It would mean a really big party in about four hours. We're not site specific. You put us somewhere and we'll figure it out." -- Michael Imperioli, also speculating on a "Sopranos" celebration.

"I'm looking forward to when it's all over. I'm trying to enjoy the moment. It's something I work on in my life, to be in the moment. It's hard." -- Elaine Stritch speaking for herself as well as dozens of celebrities and journalists alike.

"'CSI: New York's' gonna be the biggest new show of the year." -- CBS Honcho Les Moonves, asked for an off-the-cuff observation about the new fall season. [Postscript: Since CBS won fewer Emmys than Comedy Central on Sunday, perhaps Moonves was right to think about the future.]

"The play is about community and the interwovenness of all of these lives and so we're only as good as each other. It sounds like a trite thing to say, but it particularly is true with this piece." -- Jeffrey Wright on the idea that any wins for the "Angels in America" cast reflect on the whole ensemble.