People's Choice Awards air in new format

LOS ANGELES , Jan. 8 (UPI) -- Hollywood stars Drew Barrymore and Joaquin Phoenix earned People's Choice Awards during CBS' newsmagazine re-boot of the program Tuesday night.

The show was given a new format because most stars have said they will not cross a Writers Guild of America picket line to collect or present prizes at a traditional awards gala.

Queen Latifah, elegantly dressed in a black gown, presided over the special program, introducing highlights from past shows, clips of nominated performances and taped acceptance speeches.

Barrymore won the award for favorite leading lady for her work in the romantic comedy "Music and Lyrics."

Phoenix, who won the prize for favorite leading man for his performance in "We Own the Night," held up cards that read: "Hi. I'm Joaquin. I'm speechless without the writers. Seriously. But in my own quiet way, I want to thank the millions of fans that voted for me for favorite leading man."

He then smiled and said aloud: "What is wrong with you people? Thank you."

"Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" earned the honors for favorite movie and favorite "threequel," while the saga's male star, Johnny Depp, was named favorite male movie star and his leading lady, Keira Knightley, won the award for favorite female action star.

Matt Damon was named favorite male action star and his film, "The Bourne Ultimatum," won for favorite action movie.

The period romance "Becoming Jane" won the award for favorite independent film and "Shrek the Third" grabbed the prize for favorite family movie.

An estimated 10 million fans helped pick the People's Choice winners.

Tara