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Story by: Jack Foley
MICHAEL Moore, Mel Gibson and Julia Roberts emerged as the public
favourites of 2004 in America, following the announcement of the
US People's Choice Awards.
Moore's controversial, anti-Bush documentary, Fahrenheit
9/11, was named best film, while Mel Gibson's The
Passion of the Christ won best drama, despite both films being
snubbed by most of the major awards ceremonies thus far.
And Julia Roberts won her 10th consecutive crown as favourite
female movie star, while Finding
Neverland star, Johnny Depp, was favourite male.
Renee Zellweger was selected as favourite leading lady at the
LA-based ceremoony on Sunday, January 9, 2005.
The nominees for the People's Choice Awards are picked by a 6,000-strong
Entertainment Weekly magazine panel, with the winners being subsequently
chosen by 21 million online voters.
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Upon receiving the award, Michael
Moore dedicated his trophy to soldiers in Iraq, before declaring
the night 'an historic occasion' that a documentary had been named
best film.
Moore, who continues to be highly critical of President George
W Bush and the US-led invasion of Iraq, added: "This country
is still all of ours, not right or left or Democrat or Republican."
Mel Gibson, meanwhile, said of his prize: "To me, really,
this is the ultimate goal because one doesn't make work for the
elite. To me, the people have spoken."
The Passion of the Christ director has vowed not to lobby for
his film to be recognised among the nominations for any of the
major awards ceremonies.
Of the other major award winners on the night, animated hit,
Shrek 2, took three prizes, including
top animated movie, top film comedy and top sequel.
While in TV, new Channel 4 hit, Desperate Housewives, was crowned
top new drama, while Friends
spin-off, Joey, starring
Matt LeBlanc, was best new comedy.
Annual favourites, CSI:
Crime Scene Investigation and Will and Grace took best TV
drama and comedy respectively.
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