Friends, CSI, Pirates of Caribbean win at 30th annual People’s Choice Awards
PASADENA, Calif. (CP) – The 2004 awards show season kicked off Sunday night with some of North America’s favourite stars of television, film and music on hand to accept People’s Choice Awards.
It was a Friends kind of night as the sitcom, now in its final season, won its sixth award for favourite comedy series. And one of its stars, Jennifer Aniston, was voted favourite female television performer. “I love my job and I love that the people have supported our show for the last 10 years,” said Aniston, who didn’t attend the ceremonies, but sent along her thanks and acceptance via a video message.
Friends cast members Matt LeBlanc and Matthew Perry were there to accept the prize on behalf of the show.
“We’ve had a great 10 years, but if it weren’t for the brilliant people behind us – the writers – we would have been cancelled after 13 episodes,” said Perry.
The 30th annual awards, held this year at Pasadena Civic Auditorium, were hosted by Jon Cryer and Charlie Sheen of the new comedy Two and Half Men.
They opened the show with Cryer’s declaration that this is the awards show “by the people, for the people and of the people,” prompting Sheen to remark that he sounded “like my dad.” It was a reference to his father, Martin Sheen, who was nominated for his role as the U.S. president on The West Wing.
He was beaten by Ray Romano of Everybody Loves Raymond, who won favourite male television performer.
Alliance Atlantis’s CSI: Crime Scene Investigation was the most popular dramatic show.
Pirates of the Caribbean, starring Johnny Depp, was the favourite motion picture. Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers took the dramatic motion picture award, while Bruce Almighty, starring Canadian actor Jim Carrey, won for comedy.
A grinning and manic Carrey accepted the Bruce Almighty award, saying: “Not only is this an important win for the movie, it’s just great to know… the whole Hollywood community has decided to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and saviour… thank you, my Jewish friends.”
When Mel Gibson picked up his actor award, he seemed somewhat perplexed by the choice.
“I’m rather surprised at winning this since I wasn’t actually in a motion picture much this year or last year – maybe that’s why, huh?”
Julia Roberts was favourite motion picture actress, and Tom Hanks was voted all-time entertainer.
Faith Hill and Beyonce Knowles tied for favourite female musical performer; Canadian singer Shania Twain had been the third contender in the category. Tim McGraw won male performer.
Survivor: Pearl Islands was best reality-based program, and executive producer Mark Burnett accepted the prize surrounded by cast members.
“The crew is about 400 people living months on end in jungles and these people” – he motioned to the cast – “I’m starving for 39 days,” he said.
“Thank you very, very much for the award, four years in a row.” †
Oprah Winfrey was best talk show host, beating Jay Leno and David Letterman.
“I thank you for the opportunity to speak and talk and use my voice in a way that I believe is a force for something really good on the air,” she said.
Winners were selected through a Gallup poll of the general public.
A glittering array of stars attended the event , including Mandy Moore, Lance Bass, Cuba Gooding Jr., Mary Steenburgen, Ted Danson and Faith Ford.
Winners of the People’s Choice Awards, presented Sunday night in Pasadena, Calif.:
TELEVISION:
Male Performer: Ray Romano
Female Performer: Jennifer Aniston
New Dramatic Series: Joan of Arcadia
New Comedy Series: Two and a Half Men
Dramatic Series: CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
Comedy Series: Friends
Reality-Based Program: Survivor: Pearl Islands
Talk Show Host: Oprah Winfrey
MUSIC:
Male Performer: Tim McGraw
Female Performer: Faith Hill, Beyonce Knowles (tie)
Group or Band: Matchbox Twenty
FILM:
Favourite Motion Picture: Pirates of the Caribben
Dramatic Motion Picture: Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Comedy Motion Picture: Bruce Almighty
Actor: Mel Gibson
Actress: Julia Roberts
ALL-TIME FAVOURITE ENTERTAINER:
Tom Hanks
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