LOS ANGELES — Those who glide down the Emmy Awards' red carpet are in designer dresses, designer jewelry and designer shoes, or tuxedoes.

But in the bleachers, it's a different story. There, the dress code is flip flops, shorts and sun screen.

Lucky fans with bleachers' tickets checked in near the Nokia Theatre at 10 a.m. PDT Sunday, to wait it out in the hot southern California sun until the stars come out.

Their wait was rewarded when Jimmy Fallon flew down the red carpet, and stopped to take a photo with Sherri Brown, 46, of New Orleans and Sharon Banfield, 38, of Los Angeles.

"He's so great," Brown squealed. "It's so nice that he appreciates his fans."

Banfield and Brown, who were on their way into the theatre, lingered on the red carpet to enjoy every moment.

"He took the time for us even though he's got a big job to do tonight," Banfield said.

Fallon posted a video on Twitter of himself backstage preparing for the show.

"I'm so excited," said Fallon, while gripping his hair anxiously.

Conan O'Brien, also posted on Twitter:

"Hey gang! I'm off to The Emmys on NBC! Woooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Meanwhile, back at the bleachers.

It's been a tradition for four years running for five friends from Melbourne, Fla., to take a girls-only vacation, stay at the Beverly Hills Hotel and cheer for their favourite actors at the Emmys.

This year, they came in matching pink tank tops emblazoned with rhinestones that said "Emmys 2010" and white shorts.

Laura Pitten, 49, an attorney, had a sign that said "Love the Dress" on one side and "Wow, You're Hot" on the other side. "This side is for the girls and this side is for the good-looking guys," she said.

Barbara Lacko, 43, had life-size cutouts of the faces of the cast of "The Big Bang Theory."

"I can't wait to see Jim Parsons," Lacko said.

The friends were torn about which show should win for best comedy. Two said "Glee" was their favourite and two others liked "Modern Family." Lacko wanted "The Big Bang Theory" to win.

Cassie York, a 31-year-old marketing manager from Long Beach, Calif., was prepared for the long wait in the sun with a large, stylish white and tan sun hat that cast shadows on her face. She had to constantly fluff it up to see who was arriving on the red carpet. She brought snacks and her iPhone to keep herself occupied while she waited.

"This takes commitment," York said, "but I can't wait to see the cast of 'True Blood."'

Over a hundred fans, who had won tickets or gotten there through a lottery, joined York, who got her place from a friend. "Our friend has the hook up. He knows someone who works in the industry," she said.