The Lord Of The Rings Is People's Choice In America

The Lord Of The Rings trilogy received an OSCAR boost at the 30th annual People's Choice Awards last night (11JAN04) by becoming the first sequel ever to land a Favourite Dramatic Movie prize.

The adventure's second film, THE TWO TOWERS, beat OSCAR favourites Mystic RIVER and MASTER + COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE EARTH to land the night's Favourite Dramatic Movie.

Although it lost to Bruce Almighty in the Favourite Comedy Movie category, Johnny Depp's Pirates Of The Caribbean: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL claimed the People's Choice Award for the Favourite Movie of 2003.

It was also a big night for Julia Roberts, who picked up her 11th Favourite Movie Actress prize at the ceremony.

But it was Jim Carrey who stole the night by making a dash for the exit when his movie, BRUCE ALMIGHTY, was named the Favourite Comedy Movie of 2003. Wacky Carrey, sporting a crewcut, then insisted on bringing three members of the audience up onstage - to thanks them personally for his award.

Musically, it was a night of celebration for country couple Tim Mcgraw and Faith Hill - Hill shared the Favourite Female Musical Performer prize with Beyonce Knowles, while her husband claimed the Favourite Male Musical Performer gong.

And in the TV categories, it was a good night for Friends - JENNIFER ANISTON claimed the Favourite Female TV Performer award and the show was voted Favourite Sitcom.

The full list of winners is:

Favourite Reality-Based TV Programme - Survivor: PEARL ISLANDS

Favourite Talk Show Host - Oprah Winfrey

Favourite Female TV Performer - Jennifer Aniston

Favourite TV Drama Series - CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION

Favourite Sitcom - FRIENDS

Favourite Male TV Performer - Ray Romano

Favourite Female Musical Performer - FAITH HILL + BEYONCE KNOWLES

Favourite Music Video - I LOVE THIS BAR by Toby Keith

Favourite Movie Actor - Mel Gibson

Favourite Dramatic Movie - THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS

Favourite New TV Drama Series - JOAN OF ARCADIA

Favourite Movie Actress - JULIA ROBERTS

Favourite Musical Group - MATCHBOX 20

Favourite Comedy Movie - BRUCE ALMIGHTY

Favourite New TV Comedy - TWO + A HALF MEN

Favourite All-Time Entertainer - Tom Hanks

Favourite Movie - PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL

Favourite Male Musical Performer - TIM McGRAW