Tom Hanks came backstage after "John Adams" won for best mini-series or motion picture made for television. Hanks served as executive producer on the HBO project, which chronicled the life and times of the second president. At the podium, he took the opportunity to say California should repeal Proposition 8 (which prohibits same-sex couples from marrying). He thinks it WILL be repealed in time, and cautioned that anyone with money can put on TV ads and convince the public of something for a while.

"John Adams" co-star Laura Linney also talked politics with reporters after nabbing the prize for best performance by an actress in a mini-series or motion picture made for television. During the presidential primary, Linney supported Hillary Clinton. My colleague, Matt Carey, asked how she thinks the former First Lady will perform as the new secretary of State.

Linney said she's glad Hillary will be working for Obama and the American public. She also addressed Caroline Kennedy's quest to fill Clinton's vacant Senate seat, saying "We should be so lucky to have a capable person working for us."

Laura Dern is one of the first to come backstage. She's toting a trophy for best supporting actress. It's for her stellar portrayal of Katherine Harris in HBO's "Recount" - about the 2000 presidential election. Dern talks about being "Miss Golden Globe 1982," and how her grandmother dropped her off at the Beverly Hilton for rehearsals, since she wasn't old enough to drive.

Someone asks Dern (an ardent Barack Obama supporter) her thoughts on Sarah Palin. She chuckles and says she hopes Palin has a "nice life in Alaska" - as opposed to D.C.

Someone else compliments her on her dress. "This old thing?," she jokes. "It's Vuitton by Marc Jacobs." Dern makes a point of saying it's her strategy to support an American designer.

- Denise Quan, CNN Entertainment Correspondent

Did you watching the Golden Globes pre-show on NBC? Not too many journalists paid much attention to it in the Press Room. It was hosted by Tiki Barber, Nancy O'Dell and Brooke Burke - the swimsuit model who won the last season of "Dancing With the Stars." From the sound of it, she's been tapped to ask celebs "The Heath Ledger Question" (insert sad face here before asking how they feel about Ledger's posthumous nomination for his work in "The Dark Knight").

O'Dell - God bless her - is still trying to get Beyonce to admit she married Jay-Z last April, and Beyonce is still dodging the question. "How does it feel to be married," O'Dell queried. "It feels wonderful that all these things are happening in my life," Beyonce skillfully sidestepped.

The three hosts are smooth - no major missteps, but no fun, spontaneous moments, either. And they seem to know the names of all the actors' spouses. Maybe it has something to do with the stack of cue cards they're holding.

Incidentally, my laptop has locked up.  The keyboard is frozen, and I can't even turn it off.  The rest of my blogs will be sent to you via BlackBerry, so excuse me in advance for any and all typos.

- Denise Quan, CNN Entertainment Correspondent

I'm a free woman! The nice lady with the clipboard magically got my credential fixed! Then a nice man came and installed the DSL line we were to receive. I bust out of the Deadline Press Room and use the ladies' room - not because I need to, but because I can. And further down the hall, could it be? Yes, it is - FOOD!!

(Editor's note: Denise is following the first rule of journalists: Use the restroom and eat when you get the chance, because you never know when you're going to get the chance again.)

As at a royal banquet, there are waiters everywhere, replenishing platters of food that, frankly, don't need to be replenished. Here's what's on the menu, with stars by the items I'm particularly enjoying:

– Veggie Platter

– Red Potato Salad

– Chinese Chicken Salad *

– Cheese Tortellini

– Mostaccioli with Marinara Sauce

– Chicken Breast with Bernaise Sauce **

– Roast Loin of Pork with Some Sort of Brown Gravy

– Cheese Platter with Dried Apricots, Nuts and Figs

– Assorted rolls

– Dessert platter (with 12 different types of cookies, plus brownie bites)

Definitely better than a fast-food drive-through.

- Denise Quan, CNN Entertainment Correspondent

"ACCESS DENIED." There it was, on the computer screen - in RED CAPITAL LETTERS - with a photo of my smiling mug above the offending words.

The four security guards at the checkpoint eyed me suspiciously. "Step aside, ma'am."

Was I trying to break into the Pentagon? Fort Knox? No ... I was just trying to get down a hallway at the Beverly Hilton so I can cover the Golden Globes.

This year, our laminated press credentials include some sort of invisible barcode device. Security guards can swipe it - like a loaf of bread at the supermarket - and your picture comes up on a laptop, along with the words "Access Granted" or "Access Denied." At the moment, I am falling into the latter category - along with groupies and possible terrorists.

"If you feel there's been a mistake, you need to go to the credentialing office," the guards tell me. "No problem," I say. The only drawback is the credentialing office is past the checkpoint they won't let me cross.

Now I walk around the exterior of the hotel to the credentialing office. I go inside, explain my situation, and they re-swipe my credential, telling me the problem has been rectified. I walk back to the security checkpoint. Again, my mug comes up on the screen with the words: "ACCESS DENIED." This is getting embarrassing.

I con someone into letting me past the checkpoint. "I'm just going to go to the Deadline Press Room. You can watch me as I walk there," I say. I get to the Press Room, expecting to locate Space 48, which has been assigned to CNN. Bad news. The spots aren't numbered - and there isn't one that says "CNN" on it. There's E! Entertainment, there's the Detroit News - heck, there's even a spot for the Chinese Daily News.

A nice woman with a clipboard named Susan says, "Maybe you're in the Rodeo Gallery." We walk down the hall and try to enter the Rodeo Gallery. They swipe my credential. "ACCESS DENIED."

Have I mentioned this is getting embarrassing?

We go back to the Deadline Press Room - which is where I shall sit for the next five hours. I cannot leave the room to eat or use the ladies' room, because if I do, I won't be let back in. In the meantime, promos for the Golden Globes are running continuously on NBC calling the event the best party in town. For now, I beg to differ.

- Denise Quan, CNN Entertainment Correspondent