Depp Looms Large At People's Choice Awards
Even though he wasn't there in person to accept his awards, Johnny Depp was the big winner at the 33rd Annual People's Choice Awards in Los Angeles.
Based on votes from the public, Depp was named favorite male movie star, favorite action star and — with "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" co-star Keira Knightley — favorite on-screen match-up.
"I know that I've said this before. But the fact that this award comes from the people makes it all the more special," Depp said via satellite from London. "And thanks for keeping me employed, yeah? You're the boss."
"Pirates" also won honors for favorite movie and favorite movie drama.
Other multiple winners included Ellen Degeneres who won for favorite funny female star and favorite talk show host; Carrie Underwood for favorite female singer and favorite country song ("Before He Cheats"); and Rascal Flatts who took home awards for favorite remake and favorite song in a movie, both for "Life Is A Highway."Photos: Up Close & Personal
Host Queen Latifah kicked off the awards show, broadcast live on CBS, by introducing celebrities in the audience at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.
"I don't know about y'all, but my doctor don't look nothing like that!" said the rapper-turned-film star as she put the spotlight on Patrick Dempsey, who plays Dr. "McDreamy" Shepherd on "Grey's Anatomy."
Latifah isn't the only McDreamy fan - Dempsey went on to win favorite male TV star.
Fans voted for their favorites in music, television, and movies at the People's Choice Award Web site.
Halle Berry handed out the evening's first award, for favorite funny male star, to Robin Williams. "I just want to thank God for having her wear that dress," he said, pointing to Berry who was wearing a skin-tight outfit. On a more serious note, he thanked his mother, his daughter Zelda, and his comedy idols George Carlin, Jonathan Winters and Richard Pryor.
Berry took home her own award, for favorite female action star.
Photos: On The People's Choice Red Carpet
"Thank God I did wear underwear tonight," she joked, referring to one of Williams' earlier wisecracks. She urged fans of her "X-Men" films to write to Fox Filmed Entertainment CEO Tom Rothman and petition for another sequel.
"I'll be there," she said, promising she'd be ready to reprise her role as Storm.
ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" won favorite TV drama, while NBC's "Heroes" was named favorite new TV drama. CBS' "Three And A Half Men" was favorite TV comedy.
Eva Longoria won favorite female TV star.
"I have a really big Mexican family and I think everybody voted, like, twice," Longoria said.
Latifah took a moment out before presenting the award for favorite R&B song to honor the memory of Godfather of Soul James Brown, who died on Dec. 25th.
"Let's give it up for the man who brought so much rhythm to our world," she said. "There might not be a Queen Latifah if there were no James Brown. Might not be any hip-hop. Soul wouldn't be the same, neither would pop."
Justin Timberlake, who won the favorite R&B song for his tune "Sexyback" agreed, saying "You're right, there would be no me without James Brown, so we all owe it to James Brown."
20007 People's Choice Awards Winners:Movies Music TV Special Awards
Timberlake also made reference to a risqué video he did for "Saturday Night Live" that went on to become a big hit on YouTube.
"I thought I was going to win for a different song that I recently recorded," he joked.
Timberlake and actress Cameron Diaz, who won favorite leading lady, said nothing about their relationship as they accepted their awards. Rumors of a break-up have been swirling around the couple in the past few weeks.
Country star Kenny Chesney, who performed at the ceremonies, won favorite male singer.
Presenters included Vanessa Williams, LL Cool J, Doris Roberts, Cameron Diaz, Wanda Sykes, Jason Ritter and Howie Mandel.