Depp and Witherspoon land People's Choice prizes (2008)
Story by Jack Foley
JOHNNY Depp and Reese Witherspoon were voted the favourite male and female movie stars of the year at The People’s Choice Awards in America.
The 2008 prizes were handed out in a pre-recorded programme instead of the usual live ceremony due to the ongoing Hollywood writers’ strike, with many recipients receiving their accolades on location.
Acceptance speeches were taped for the show, which was hosted by Queen Latifah. Expressing her support for the writers, while acknowledging the special nature of the People’s Choice prizes, she explained: “The thing about the People’s Choice Awards that’s different from everybody else is it’s the people’s choice.
“You can’t disrespect the people who keep us working, and that’s the people. Ten million people logged on and voted for everyone, so out of respect for them, we have to present the awards.”
Other awards winners included Grey’s Anatomy stars Patrick Dempsey and Katherine Heigl, who took home the male and female TV star awards, Keira Knightley, who won best female action star award for Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End and Ellen DeGeneres, who scooped two prizes for best talk show host and funny female.
In the music categories, Justin Timberlake and Gwen Stefani were named favourite singers and reformed rockers The Police took the prize for best reunion tour.
The revised format of the People’s Choice Awards was decided after the Writers Guild of America refused to let its members write any speeches for awards shows while their members seek higher royalties.
As a result of the ongoing dispute several awards ceremonies – including Sunday’s Golden Globes – have been replaced by news conferences. The fate of the Oscars still hangs in the balance despite continued assurances to the contrary.