Nerd Prom, also known as the annual White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner, was more like a glamorous film festival or awards show last night, judging from some of the gorgeous gowns found on the red carpet.

From Kate Mara’s white hot long sleeved Prada number to Jessica Pare’s black-and-blue creation from Antonio Berardi, Hollywood’s finest ladies hit all the right fashion notes at the Washington Hilton.

Nicole Kidman looked like she was ready for a party at Jay Gatsby’s mansion, thanks to a light purple Emilio Pucci dress.

Kerry Washington was also a hit in a print gown by Wes Gordon.

For Celebuzz’s picks of the 10 best dressed from the WHCA Dinner, launch the gallery, above. Then tell us: who do you think was the best dressed?

Oooh, don’t you look divine, Michelle Dockery!

The Downton Abbey star walked the red carpet at tonight’s White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner, held at the Washington Hilton in Washington, D.C.  The organization is made up of journalists who cover the White and the President of the United States (it operations independently of the White House).

Dockery wore a violet purple peplum gown with chiffon inlay and a belt from Elie Saab‘s Fall/Winter 2013-2014 ready-to-wear collection.

Conan O’Brien hosted the light-hearted event, according to Huffington Post,

The five actresses up for a Golden Globe this Sunday in the TV Drama category — Connie Britton (ABC’s Nashville), Glenn Close (Audience Network’s Damages), Claire Danes (Showtime’s Homeland), Michelle Dockery (PBS’ Downton Abbey) and Julianna Margulies (CBS’ The Good Wife) — are all about prestige. But prestige isn’t enough to win you a trophy.

These five are all acclaimed thespians on critically adored shows. Except for relative newcomer Dockery, they have long histories of awards-worthy work going back two decades or more. But the Globe voters like novelty and buzz, and in the end, those may prove more important than merit in this category.

Take a look at the gallery above and let us know in the comments below whether you think our predictions for Sunday’s Globes ceremony are on target. And keep an eye out every day this week for more handicapping in the Globes’ TV races.

The 70th Annual Golden Globe Awards airs live on Sunday at 5PM ET/8PM PT on NBC.

Ratings for Tuesday’s election coverage are in, and among the broadcast networks, NBC won a plurality of viewers’ votes. Brian Williams and his ice-rink map drew 12.6 million total viewers, beating ABC (11.1 million), CBS (8.4 million), and FOX (5 million). Overall, there were 37.1 million viewers tuning into the big four networks to see Barack Obama win his second term as President of the United States. That’s a shade behind the audience for Obama’s first win in 2008, when 38 million people watched. [TVLine]

The sequel to Lifetime’s Five will include Jennifer Hudson and Modern Family‘s Sarah Hyland. As in the first anthology of five short films, which all focused on breast cancer, Jennifer Aniston and Friends co-creator Marta Kauffman will be among the executive producers. The sequel, tentatively titled Five 2, has also brought on Bonnie Hunt to direct one of the shorts. This anthology will target mental illness. [THR]

Author Neil Gaiman is writing another episode of BBC’s Dr. Who. The celebrated fantasy author of The Sandman and Coraline will see his episode air next spring. His installment will feature Cybermen, the monstrous cyborgs that the Doctor has been dealing with since 1966. Warwick Davis, Tamzin Outhwaite and Jason Watkins are all set to co-star in the hour-long episode. [EW]

The Sundance Channel has five new original scripted series in the works for the 2013/2014 development season including projects from Robert Redford, Steve Buscemi and Stanley Tucci, and Dan Futterman, Anya Epstein and Ira Glass. The channel will also premiere three new originals this winter: Restless starting Downton Abbey‘s Michelle Dockery on Dec. 7 at 9 PM, and Rectify and Top of the Lake in 2013. [Sundance]

Who said this is a man’s world?

This year’s Emmy nominees for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama represent some of the strongest female characters on TV. From a ruthless New York attorney with blood on her hands and a bipolar CIA agent on the brink of a meltdown to a head-strong career woman, paving the way for women in the ’60s, and a sharp-tongued lady from the early 1900s, the competition for best actress in a drama is fierce.

But as we all know, only one leading lady can come out on top on TV’s big night.

Here’s how we figure that competition will play out on Emmy night.

Claire Danes: Danes’ performance as Carrie Mathison, a bipolar homeland security agent who’s on the brink of a mental breakdown has Emmy written all over it. Not only was Danes hailed for her dynamic portrayal of the hard-drinking CIA officer — dubbed “the season’s strongest female character” – she’s also an Emmys favorite. Danes took home the award in 2010 for her work on the HBO movie Temple Grandin. In fact, Danes taking home the golden statue for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama is the safest bet we can make this Emmy season. Emmy chances: Excellent.

Julianna Margulies: Were Danes not nominated for her stellar work in Homeland, Margulies would probably score her second Emmy — in a row — for her performance as the strong-willed Alicia Florrick on CBS’ The Good Wife. Even though the critically acclaimed series failed to pick up a nomination for Outstanding Drama Series, this is Margulies’ third nod in three seasons, which is a huge testament to her talents as a dramatic actress. Emmy chances: Good.

Glenn Close: This is Close’s fourth Emmy nomination for playing fearsome New York attorney Patty Hewes on DirectTV’s Damages. Although the veteran actress has already taken home two Emmys for starring in the legal drama, Damages is wrapping up its final season — and what better way to send off Patty Hewes than with an Emmy? However, some Emmy voters — and viewers — might think it’s about time someone else took home the golden statue. Emmy chances: Slim.

Michelle Dockery: Although the British actress’ portrayal of Lady Mary Crawley is one of the standout performances on PBS’ period drama Downton Abbey, it just isn’t strong enough to clinch a win against Hollywood heavyweights like Danes and Margulies. Perhaps if Dockery didn’t have these leading ladies to contend with, the first-time Emmy nominee might have had a shot. Emmy chances: Weak.

Elisabeth Moss: For the stars of Mad Men, getting nominated for an Emmy isn’t the problem — it’s winning one. No actor from the acclaimed AMC drama has managed to walk away with TV’s top prize. However, it was a memorable season for Moss and her character Peggy Olson, who took a competing offer and left the firm on Season 5. That episode, titled “The Other Woman,” is the one the actress submitted for consideration. Unfortunately for Moss, it will take a huge upset for her to become the night’s golden girl. Emmy chances: Minimal.

Kathy Bates: There’s no denying that Bates is one of TV’s most dynamic actresses, but her work on NBC’s ill-fated Harry’s Law has failed to match Bates’ talents. Her portrayal of flamboyant attorney Harriet “Harry” Korn has earned her two Emmy noms, and since the network pulled the plug on the series, this is Bates’ last shot in the category. In “Onward and Upward,” the episode that she submitted for consideration, Harry pulls out all of the dramatic stops — from delivering a passionate speech to crying in a cemetery and even breaking out into song. Sometimes, less is more. Emmy chances: None.

Who do you think deserves to take home the Emmy? Check back Sunday for Celebuzz’s live Emmys coverage. 

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