The American Latino Media Arts awards, also known as the ALMAs, honor the achievements of Hispanic artists in the entertainment industry. The big winner at last night's ceremony, which was hosted by
Desperate Housewives star
Eva Longoria Parker, was ABC's
Ugly Betty. Star
America Ferrera picked up the Entertainer of the Year award for her performance as Betty Suarez and for her charitable off-screen efforts, while director Linda Mendoza earned a trophy for helming the "Betty's Baby Bump" episode. In addition, the entire cast picked up a special award for having the best Latino-led ensemble on television.
Ugly Betty wasn't the only big winner at the ceremony. Stars from shows as diverse as
Lost and
Two and a Half Men also picked up trophies.
Proving that they're smarter than the Emmys, the ALMAs handed an award to
Edward James Olmos for his fantastic work on
Battlestar Galactica. Olmos was named Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series, while
Lost star
Jorge Garcia was honored as Outstanding Supporting Actor.
Roselyn Sanchez was lauded for her work as the lead actress on
Without A Trace, and
Eli Stone's
Julie Gonzalo was honored in the supporting category.
On the comedy side, where the ALMAs lump together leading and supporting performances,
Charlie Sheen somehow won an award for his wooden work on
Two and a Half Men. He was up against
Mind of Mencia star
Carlos Mencia, who must have earned his nomination by blackmailing someone.
Judy Reyes picked up a trophy for her work on
Scrubs, beating out two stars from
Wizards of Waverly Place, along with other actresses.
Here is a complete list of winners of the 2008 ALMA Awards:
• Entertainer of the year: America Ferrera
• Humanitarian award: Shakira
• Trailblazer award: Linda Ronstadt
• Performance by a Latino ensemble in a television series:
Ugly Betty, ABC.
• Actor in a television series, drama: Edward James Olmos,
Battlestar Galactica, SciFi Channel.
• Actress in a television series, drama: Roselyn Sanchez,
Without A Trace, CBS.
• Actor in a television series, comedy: Charlie Sheen,
Two and a Half Men, CBS.
• Actress in a television series, comedy: Judy Reyes,
Scrubs, NBC.
• Supporting actor in a television series, drama: Jorge Garcia,
Lost, ABC.
• Supporting actress in a television series, drama: Julie Gonzalo,
Eli Stone, ABC.
• Director of a television series: Linda Mendoza,
Ugly Betty, ABC.
• Writing for a television series: Gloria Calderon Kellett,
How I Met Your Mother, CBS.
• Comedy special:
George Lopez: America's Mexican, HBO.
• Made-for TV documentary:
American Experience: Roberto Clemente, PBS.
• Career achievement award: David Wader, Stage Manager.
• Special achievement in fashion: Narciso Rodriguez.
• Special achievement award: Spanish-language motion picture:
La Misma Luna.
• Special achievement award: Director of a made-for-TV movie: Kenny Ortega,
High School Musical 2, Disney Channel.
Though the ALMA Awards were held last night at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, the ceremony won't air on ABC until Friday, September 12. It's tough to see the appeal in watching an awards show when the winners were announced weeks in advance, but at least viewers will get to see a very special performance from the Cheetah Girls.
- Don Williams, BuddyTV Staff Writer
(Image courtesy of Reuters)