Behind the scenes at 'Stand Up to Cancer'
Most of the action at Friday's celeb-packed Stand Up to Cancer event in Hollywood took place in front of multi-network television cameras.
But there were moments not seen during the hour-long televised event aimed at raising awareness and money for cancer. Here are five of the highlights:
Picking the right words: Gwyneth Paltrow holds cancer research very near to her heart after losing her father Bruce to oral cancer. As one of the driving forces behind the event and co-executive producer, Paltrow took to the stage to give the audience the ground rules before cameras rolled.
After explaining that millions of people who would be watching the event around the world, the Goop founder gave some odd advice: "No nose picking or anything like that," she told the crowd. "Don't embarrass yourself."
Paltrow found time to pal around with Jennifer Aniston backstage and sway happily off-stage as Common sang his part of the show's closing number.
Couric fights on: Katie Couric was the model host in every way at the program. She hung out off camera with celebrities on the red carpet and in the "digital lounge" offstage. The smile never left her face.
But Couric lost her 91-year-old mother Elinor on Sept. 4. She told Paste BN that it was her brother who convinced her to come to the show during her time of loss.
"He said that Mom would want you to be there. I thought that was true," said Couric, who is one of the event co-founders. "I come here with a heavy heart and a lot of sadness. But it's hard not to be inspired with what I see here."
"Obviously I carry her in my heart," Couric added. "And I will the rest of my life. My Mom always said that everyone needs a cheerleader. She was mine."
Blustering usher: Minutes before the live program began, Modern Family star Eric Stonestreet appeared in the auditorium in a ridiculous jogging suit and a headband. But Stonestreet was dead serious about getting his two friends in seats despite a jammed auditorium.
"Excuse me, excuse me. What seat are you? What seat are you?" Stonestreet barked at confused theater attendees who seemed not sure if it was a real question or some sort of bizarre usher gag.
After significant audience upheaval, Stonestreet completed his task of getting his pals seated, then sprinted off. Moments later he ran onstage with the matching jogging suit and a torch as part of the opening number.
That, at least, explained the outfit.
Making a man mad: Jon Hamm might be the coolest, most thoughtful guy on the red carpet. He even took time and pity on a bandaged reporter who was suffering the effects of a recent motorcycle accident.
But the Mad Men star did not appreciate another reporter who seemed to be asking him whether he'd be buying longtime girlfriend Jennifer Westfeldt a diamond engagement ring.
"What are you asking?" Hamm said, momentarily channeling Donald Draper. "I've brought her plenty of diamonds. She's doing okay."
Kissing vow: Veep star Tony Hale is usually the guy playing the gags with co-star Julia Louis-Dreyfus at awards shows. But at the August 25 Emmy Awards, it was Bryan Cranston hamming it up with Louis-Dreyfus -- including giving her a deep kiss as she strode to the stage to accept her Emmy award.
On Friday, Hale vowed that he won't let that stand next time.
"Next year, I'm going to knock down Cranston and take over," said Hale, vowing an intense lip lock. "That's a promise."