Mario Anzuoni/Reuters
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: who needs critics when the ultimate critic — the public! — gets a chance to cast a vote and make its voice heard? And lo, it came to pass that a certain franchise going by the name of Twilight has once again benefited from these wise choices.
A quite frankly mind-blowing 175 million votes were cast at the 37th People’s Choice Awards, which took place at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles on Wednesday. The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, the third part in the vampire romance saga, won four gongs: favorite film, favorite drama, favorite on-screen team and favorite movie actress for star Kristen Stewart. “I can’t believe this. You guys are unreal! For movie number three already?” said Twilight actor Taylor Lautner, basking in the sound of searing screams.
Other major movie accolades went to Johnny Depp, who won best actor for the Mad Hatter in Alice in Wonderland, a double whammy for Adam Sandler (favorite comedy star, Grown Ups winning favorite comedy) and in possibly the only case of official critics and fans agreeing this entire awards season, Toy Story 3 nabbed favorite family movie. And possibly to ensure that he didn’t go home empty-handed (and to guarantee that he’d show up), Zac Efron won the favorite movie star under 25 award, though one wonders whether his buzz cut will now be the subject of online debate.
Music and TV were also represented. Katy Perry bested the likes of Lady Gaga by winning favorite female artist and favorite online sensation. Inevitably, she took to Twitter soon after, posting a typically understated message: “OH MY WE WON TWO PEOPLES CHOICE AWARDS! Thank you SO much! I really appreciate all ur continuous love & support! Remember u have the POWER!”
(See more on Katy Perry being barred from Sesame Street.)
Eminem either won or shared in four awards, and the likes of Rihanna, Taylor Swift, Usher and Paramore were winners too. When it came to television, House, Glee and those families, the Simpsons and the Kardashians, were among the victors as was Conan O’Brien. You could tell he was genuinely touched with his winning of favorite talk show host. “I want to thank everyone who made what could have been a horrible year into the best year of my life,” he said. And surely even any hard-nosed critics would agree. (via the Daily Mail)