As reported by: Whittier Daily News
On a very soggy Sunday night in Pasadena -- the wettest awards evening in recent memory --the big winner of the 31st annual People's Choice Awards was an animated green ogre, while two controversial movies of the past year -- a documentary and a foreign-language film -- also were honored.

More than 21 million online voters gave five awards to "Shrek 2": favorite movie comedy, favorite animated movie and favorite sequel as well as favorite animated movie star for Eddie Murphy's Donkey and favorite movie villain for Jennifer Saunders' Fairy Godmother.

Michael Moore's anti-Bush documentary, "Fahrenheit 9/11," beat ‘Shrek 2" out for favorite movie honors. Mel Gibson's "The Passion of The Christ" was named favorite movie drama.

Among the double winners was the NBC sitcom "Joey," which won favorite new comedy and favorite male TV star for Matt LeBlanc.

"We're really, really honored to be on the schedule," LeBlanc said. "Thank you to the people for watching. We'll stick around as long as you want us."

"CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" fulfilled the Nielsen ratings' prediction, picking up favorite drama series and favorite female TV star for Marg Helgenberger.

"I am really touched and grateful for this recognition," Helgenberger said. "Television has been really good to me."

Ellen DeGeneres also claimed two awards, trumping longtime favorite Oprah Winfrey in the daytime talk show host category and also winning favorite funny female star.

"I appreciate that it comes from you," she told fans in the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. "If ever there is an Ellen's Choice Awards, I will pick you as the pickers of me."

Moore's win was greeted by cheers and some catcalls.

"We all love our country very much and I'm so amazed that you did this, the people of America voted for this film," he said. "I'm honored and gratified. And I know that there are many people tonight, mothers and fathers across this country, who have sons and daughters in Iraq. Our prayers are with them and I dedicate this award to them tonight. This country is all of ours, not just right or left. I love making movies and I'll take this as an invitation to make more ‘Fahrenheit 9/11s."'

The audience rose to their feet for "Passion," which sold more than $370 million in tickets despite its R rating for violence and its Hebrew, Latin and Aramaic dialogue.

"Heck, I was just hoping to break even here," said Gibson, who directed and funded the production himself. "Really more than any other thing I ever worked on -- when you circumvent the (studio) system --I depended on you and you were there. So this means a lot more to me than ever before. If it wasn't for you guys, we'd be dead in the water."

Johnny Depp accepted his favorite male movie star award via satellite from somewhere in Eastern Europe. "You are, in fact, our employer, you are our boss," he said. "I hope to make you all a cup of coffee someday."


Article By: Whittier Daily News