Fortunately the writer’s guild protesting against the staging of the Golden Globe Awards could not boycott the 34th annual People’s Choice Awards. Though the Globes have been suspended this year, the People’s Choice Awards was broadcasted on CBS on Tuesday night.
However, the ongoing writer’s strike did have some negative impact on the show. The producers in order to avoid any clash with the antagonistic guild kept the show a modest, low profile affair. The hostess for the show, actress Queen Latifah commented on the channel,
I know this show’s a little different than last time. But we have what’s important – you, the people, and all your favorites all night long.
The words of acknowledgements from the stars after receiving awards were all recorded previously and their images and clips were also pre-recorded. I must say this did not lend the show a very realistic and ‘live’ outlook. The entire broadcast seemed so superficial to me. However, on a positive side, my favorite Hollywood actor Johnny Depp won the favorite male movie star award category. The female counterpart of the same award was given to Reese Witherspoon. Guess who finally was voted the favorite male singer by the public? Yes, none other than pop-sensation Justin Timberlake. Other winners included Ellen DeGeneres who was adjudged the favorite talk show host along with the favorite funny female star. Katherine Heigl, of the Grey’s Anatomy fame won the favorite female TV star award. She really deserved it I would say. Finally, Rascal Flatts, a country singer, was awarded favorite country song “Stand” and favorite group. The most interesting part of the entire telecast was the fact that the winners publicly announced that they were missing the absence of the writers from the ceremony. With the award for favorite leading man in hand, the taped voice of Joaquin Phoenix said,
I’m speechless without the writers…Seriously. But in my own quiet way, I want to thank the millions of fans that voted for me for favorite leading man.
Reese Witherspoon also voiced her support for the writers in her acceptance speech by saying,
We are nothing without our writers. But we are also nothing without our audience.
Though a humble episode, the award show was finally able to broadcast people’s verdict in choosing their preferred stars.
Source: people
