Box office surprises win at People’s Choice Awards

PASADENA, Calif. – Two controversial films that defied the odds to earn millions at the box office joined a familiar green ogre to take top honors at the 31st Annual People’s Choice Awards on Sunday.

The Michael Moore film “Fahrenheit 9/11,” which took a critical look at President Bush’s actions after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, won the favorite movie award, while Mel Gibson’s explicit “The Passion of the Christ” won in the favorite drama category.

Moore dedicated his win to the U.S. troops fighting overseas and said he was “amazed” that people voted his film their favorite.

“I love making movies and I’ll take this as an invitation to make more ‘Fahrenheit 9/11s,”’ Moore said.

The animated “Shrek 2” swept a number of categories, being named favorite comedy, favorite sequel and favorite animated movie.

The character of Donkey in “Shrek 2,” voiced by Eddie Murphy, was named favorite animated movie star, while the Fairy Godmother, voiced by Jennifer Saunders, won in the favorite movie villain category.

Perennial favorites took many of the top awards, including many of this year’s new categories. Julia Roberts and Johnny Depp won for favorite female and male movie star. Matt LeBlanc and Marg Helgenberger won for favorite male and female TV stars.

“Will & Grace,” won for favorite TV comedy. “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” was named favorite TV drama.

After votes cast via the Internet during the first hour of the live telecast were counted, “Joey” was named favorite new TV comedy, while “Desperate Housewives” won for favorite new TV drama.

The People’s Choice Awards, hosted by Jason Alexander and Malcolm-Jamal Warner, were presented at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium and broadcast on CBS. The awards covered 38 film, television and music categories, including a number of new ones.