Poor NBC.

It's over 100 degrees just outside the hotel, where the network plans to hold its stars party this evening. (The Weather Channel's Web site says 101, but there have been reports of 108 all day from people coming in and the rest of us have temporarily suspended all complaining about the chilliness of the usually over-air-conditioned meeting rooms, and have switched instead to the East Coast-like humidity that's no doubt meant to re-acclimatize those of us who'll be headed home late next week.)

Meanwhile, steps have been taken to keep the talent from melting: The party now won't start till 7, an hour later than had been planned, and they've set up the obligatory red carpet for arrivals inside the still-chilled Viennese Room. Because there's nothing worse than being on "Entertainment Tonight" with your mascara running down your cheeks.

This means, though, that those "stars" -- and we're not naming names, or at least not yet -- who decide to walk the carpet and then ditch the critics who've been promised by publicists for two days that "he/she will be at the party" won't have nearly as far to run for their limo.

It also means that we're going to be much too hot to run after them.