Dark Night
America Ferrera goes from Ugly Betty to depressed betty in this Gothic, ruched vintage dress, which is all the more confusing because she looks so Old Hollywood happy from the neck up. The frock's midcalf length doesn't do her any favors either, making her look stumpy rather than petite and pretty.
Better Than Ever
Despite her recent struggle with breast cancer, Christina Applegate shuts it down on the red carpet in Reem Acra. In a single-shouldered gown with a dramatic bow around the hip, the Outstanding Actress nominee looks gorge, and the ruby-colored earrings are a nice touch against the powder-blue dress. Talk about a comeback.
Orange Alert
This salmon Narciso Rodriguez hugs Outstanding Actress nominee Julia Louis-Dreyfus in almost all the right places. However, we’re baffled by the bizarre cutout right below her bust. Obviously, she's a fit and skinny lady, but whatever extra skin she does have is being squeezed out of that little hole. Plug that thing, please!
Luxury Cruiser
Mad Men’s Christina Hendricks puts all those skinny girls (who spend Emmy week drinking lemonade and chili powder) to shame in this emerald-green Tadashi Shoji gown. With the silk jersey gathered around the plunging V-neck, this busty babe knows just how to complement her best asset. We gotta say, she wins the award for our favorite ginger—sorry, Marcia Cross.
Giving Us the Blues
Outstanding Actress nominee Mary-Louise Parker's cyan Roberto Cavalli design is an eyesore. No matter how well fitting or figure complementing the gown is, this poor color will inevitably look cheap. And to top it off, the jewel-encrusted straps aren’t bringing this gown into the classy realm, either. This is a dud to be ditched.
All That Glitters
There's so much sparkle and asymmetry going on with Heidi Klum’s Armani gown that we don't know what to think. The bottom tier makes her look like she's about to tip over at any moment, while the over-the-shoulder flap is downright matronly. But even with all that working against her, she puts on her best butterfly earrings and positively glows—that's why she's a supermodel.
Get Serious
Marcia Cross looks ready to break into a stunning ballet number for Princess Cupcake and the Golden Forest in this Elie Saab confection. While it is a lovely design with the full tulle skirt and floral bodice, we're not really digging it on Cross. It's just too light and airy for the image she typically puts forth onscreen and in interviews. Dig deeper, Marcia!
Pink Berry
It's not subtle, and there's something vaguely Esther Williams-ish about this ruffled bustier that looks like a vintage swimsuit, but we love the unrelenting cheerfulness of Brooke Shields' tiered gown by Badgley Mischka. For her first trip to the Emmys, she sure knows how to make a splash.
Maybe Next Time?
Are those rhinestone claws violating Outstanding Actress nominee Kyra Sedgwick's breasts? Why, yes, indeed, they are. And that’s not all that's weird about this knee-length number: Kyra usually attempts to push the envelope with her red carpet appearances, and this simple silhouette is decidedly demure for the actress. Needless to say, we miss the glitz 'n' glamour of a fuller gown.
Missing the Mark
Part flapper, part gift wrap and all wrong—Eva Longoria Parker's Marchesa number is not killing it. And the slicked-back bob, heavy eyeliner and severe bronzer just make matters worse. We can't wait until Eva stops this “I look bad for Desperate Housewives” schtick and just goes back to being her glamorous, flawless self.
Check out more red carpet glamour in our 2008 Emmys: Arrivals gallery.