Steve Carrell was so sick Saturday night that people had to exit the backstage Green Room so he could lie down for a while before  going onstage to present a DGA feature film nomination award to his "Little Miss Sunshine" directors, Valerie Faris and Jonathan Dayton.
Backstage press and photogs were warned he was ill and might not stay to chat. And he didn't. After wiping a sweaty brow, he posed for a few shots with his directors, excused himself and bolted. But even sick, he was a highlight of the night.

Onstage he talked about how the directors had the cast hang out together and do things like go bowling for 10 days. "And that's 10 days of my life that I will never get back." Getting serious, he admitted,"I hope to someday have an experience as wonderful, but I know I will never have one that is better." Awwww.

Another highlight was Steven Spielberg and Leonardo DiCaprio presenting two awards (a nomination and winning award) to "The Departed" director Martin Scorsese, who finally, finally, finally won the top DGA feature film honor, after three past noms. All that's left to make Marty's year would be to snag the best director Oscar on Feb 25. He's been nominated for that five times already. C'mon, quit teasing. Give the guy the darn thing. It's cruel, people!

But even at the DGA cocktail party, there were still Oscar votes out. Buzz is that Marty's strongest competitor is "Babel" director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, since Clint Eastwood didn't make the DGA cut this year. "I haven't voted yet because I still haven't made up my mind," admitted Mary McDonnell, who presented the commercial directing award wearing a stunning red Celine gown. "What I like about 'Babel' is that it's so international and multi-cultural."

Carl Reiner, however, was happy to say who got his vote. Speaking onstage about presenter/pal Alan Arkin, who's nominated for his supporting role in "Little Miss Sunshine," Reiner said, "If he doesn't win an Oscar, it's not because I didn't vote for him!" Ba dum bum.

Photo Credits:
You can' t keep a good man down. Steve Carrell had a bad flu but rallied for the LMS cause.  Spielberg, Scorsese and DiCaprio -- Hollywood's towering triumvirate of film -- backstage at the DGA. And look how happy Marty is! C'mon, make him even happier on Feb 25. While many feel the DGA means Scorsese and "Departed" will rule the Oscars, DGA presenter Mary McDonnell is among many who are still undecided.
Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage