2012 People's Choice Awards: Some Pleasant Surprises Among the Usual Stuff

2012 People's Choice Awards: Some Pleasant Surprises Among the Usual Stuff
Wednesday, January 11, 2012

If you tuned out at one point during the 2012 People's Choice Awards, well, I can't blame you. This year's proceedings were the usual mix of awkwardly scripted spiels, product placement and winners you could see from a mile off. Well, almost.

There were a bunch of pleasant surprises in tonight's two-hour ceremony, hosted by The Big Bang Theory's Kaley Cuoco. Now, me doing a roll call of said surprises.

See this year's People's Choice nominees

The opening sketch, featuring the whole TBBT cast, was a win. From Sheldon calling Jay-Z a droid to Penny getting a slot on the PCAs as a seat filler, it set up the night well... and then everything went downhill humor-wise. Other comic highlights: Neil Patrick Harris dealing with his addiction to opening musical numbers in award shows, and the segment featuring the cast of Parks & Recreation. Ron Swanson with a bigger beard!

Chloe Moretz beating off four Harry Potter stars in the Favorite Movie Star Under 25 category. Also, I'm reminded that the Harry Potter stars are all just under 25.

Castle winning two awards: one for Favorite TV Crime Drama, and one for Favorite TV Drama Actor, for Nathan Fillion. I honestly thought The Vampire Diaries would win that category again (they went home with one award, for Nina Dobrev), so, good job, Castle fandom!

All the Betty White mentions. Yes, it's tiring already, but whenever Betty answers back you feel endeared to her again. "90 just happened," she said on stage after Hot in Cleveland won Best Cable TV Comedy. "I didn't do anything!"

And the moments best forgotten: the unusually off musical performances, the fact that Kim Kardashian won for nothing, the fact that Water for Elephants won because Robert Pattinson was there (I thought the whole Twilight thing is over?) and Adam Sandler's loooooooong speech, compounded by the fact that it's not funny, and that Ellen DeGeneres was being counted down when she was on stage.

Anyway, the winners:

Favorite Network TV Comedy: How I Met Your Mother

Favorite Network TV Drama: Supernatural

Favorite Cable TV Comedy: Hot in Cleveland

Favorite Cable TV Drama: Pretty Little Liars

Favorite TV Competition: American Idol

Favorite TV Crime Drama: Castle

Favorite Sci-Fi/Fantasy Show: Supernatural

Favorite New TV Comedy: 2 Broke Girls

Favorite New TV Drama: Person of Interest

Favorite TV Comedy Actor: Neil Patrick Harris, How I Met Your Mother

Favorite TV Comedy Actress: Lea Michele, Glee

Favorite TV Drama Actor: Nathan Fillion, Castle

Favorite TV Drama Actress: Nina Dobrev, The Vampire Diaries

Favorite TV Guest Star: Katy Perry, How I Met Your Mother

Favorite Late Night TV Host: Jimmy Fallon, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon

Favorite Daytime TV Host: Ellen DeGeneres, The Ellen DeGeneres Show

Favorite Celebreality Star: Kim Kardashian

Favorite Movie: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2

Favorite Comedy Movie: Bridesmaids

Favorite Drama Movie: Water for Elephants

Favorite Movie Actor: Johnny Depp

Favorite Movie Actress: Emma Stone

Favorite Movie Icon: Morgan Freeman

Favorite Comedic Movie Actor: Adam Sandler

Favorite Comedic Movie Actress: Emma Stone

Favorite Action Movie: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2

Favorite Action Movie Star: Hugh Jackman

Favorite Movie Star Under 25: Chloe Moretz

Favorite Ensemble Movie Cast: The cast of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2

Favorite Animated Movie Voice: Johnny Depp, Rango

Favorite Movie Superhero: Ryan Reynolds as Green Lantern

Favorite Book Adaptation: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2

Favorite Male Artist: Bruno Mars

Favorite Female Artist: Katy Perry

Favorite Song of the Year: "ET", Katy Perry featring Kanye West

Favorite Album of the Year: Born This Way, Lady Gaga

Favorite Pop Artist: Demi Lovato

Favorite Hip-Hop Artist: Eminem

Favorite R&B Artist: Rihanna

Favorite Country Artist: Taylor Swift

Favorite Band: Maroon 5

Favorite Music Video: "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)", Katy Perry

Favorite Tour Headliner: Katy Perry

Good job, fans. Let's see what you can do next year.

(Image courtesy of CBS)

Slideshow The 20 Best and Worst Dressed TV Stars at the People's Choice Awards 2012

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