“Star Wars” gets revenge at People’s Choice

By Bob Tourtellotte

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Epic space adventure “Star Wars:
Episode III — Revenge of the Sith” won best overall film and
best drama honors on Tuesday at the People’s Choice Awards, a
widely watched measure of movie, television and star appeal.

In two other film categories, box office hit “Wedding
Crashers” was named top comedy and “Charlie and the Chocolate
Factory” was chosen as the favorite family movie.

For “Star Wars” creator George Lucas, the People’s Choice
Awards held special significance because winners are voted on
by fans who cast ballots online, unlike other Hollywood honors
given by industry groups and the media.

Despite being a multibillion-dollar film franchise, the six
“Star Wars” movies have had a mixed record with critics and
Hollywood award groups. “I’m not a big favorite with the
critics, but who listens to them,” Lucas said onstage. “The
reason I make films is for you. The audience rules.”

Sandra Bullock was named favorite female movie star, and
Reese Witherspoon collected the trophy for favorite leading
lady playing country singer June Carter in Oscar-hopeful film,
“Walk the Line.” One night earlier, Witherspoon won a Critics’
Choice award, but like Lucas she noted that the popular voting
for the People’s Choice held a special appeal.

“You guys voted for us. Not the stuffy people in closed
rooms … people who voted actually go to the movies,” she
said.

Jennifer Garner was chosen top female action star over
Angelina Jolie and Catherine Zeta-Jones. Matthew McConaughey
won favorite male action star over Brad Pitt and The Rock.

Pitt, however, did win favorite leading man, and Johnny
Depp was named favorite male movie star. Neither was on hand.

TV AND MUSIC

Ray Romano was named favorite male TV star even though his
show, “Everybody Loves Raymond,” has been off air for many
months. The show also earned the title best TV comedy, while
“My Name is Earl” picked up the trophy for best new TV comedy.

In one of the award program’s funnier moments, Romano tried
to coax his 13 year-old sons to join him onstage as they had in
years past. But they refused, and Romano teased them in front
of the packed house at Los Angeles’ Shrine auditorium.

“Now all of a sudden, it’s not cool to be with dad … We
got girlfriends. We got body hair,” he said. The boys lowered
their heads and hid their faces from the TV cameras.

Other TV awards went to “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation”
for best drama, and “Prison Break” for favorite new drama.

Ellen DeGeneres was favorite daytime talk show host, and
Jay Leno earned the title favorite late night show host.

“American Idol” was chosen best competition show, and
“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” was favorite reality show.

In music categories, one-time “American Idol” star Kelly
Clarkson was named favorite female performer, and country star
Tim McGraw was best male performer.

Rockers Green Day picked up an award for best music group,
and U2 won the award for best concert tour.

Singer Jessica Simpson, who recently separated from husband
Nick Lachey, started off the show singing “These Boots Are Made
For Walkin,”‘ and later the song, which is from the film “The
Dukes of Hazzard,” won the award for favorite song in a movie.

She thanked the fans, but did not say anything about her
recent separation or Lachey.