'Dark Knight' romps 'People's Choice'

 

And the People's Choice Award goes to ... the folks who showed up, preferably if they star in host network CBS television shows. "Kath & Kim," did you really think you had a chance?

Truth be told, "The Dark Knight" blazed its way through the 35th annual fan-voted kudos last night -- named favorite in the action movie, movie, superhero, cast and onscreen matchup categories -- but aside from that there was a "Gary Unmarried," "Two and a Half Men" and "The Mentalist" for every "House," "Dancing with the Stars" and "Ellen."

And it was a decent night for "The Secret Life of Bees," despite its reception at the boxoffice that can best be described as, "Meh."

Queen Latifah worked hard to make it seem like there was some excitement in the air -- though the crowd shots suggested otherwise -- and Robin Williams might've had the best line of the night when he called Richard Belzer, "the Keith Richards of comedy." Williams picked up an award for a guest appearance on Belzer's "Law & Order: SVU."

The other good quip of the night came from Ellen DeGeneres, who presented the first award, to funnyman Adam Sandler, by saying she was standing in for a traffic-delayed Kate Hudson. "That's no way to sell a movie, Kate," DeGeneres deadpanned. (Never mind -- there's precious little else opening this weekend, and the studio, Hudson and co-star Anne Hathaway have been burning up the PR circuit for "Bride Wars." It'll be this year's "27 Dresses!")

And speaking of, that rom-com won an award last night, as did "The Simpsons," Kid Rock, Hugh Laurie, Christina Applegate, Reese Witherspoon, Carrie Underwood (three times) and, after she arrived, Hudson.

The romp belonged to "The Dark Knight," with star Christian Bale giving a hearty, "Here's to Heath!" during his gracious thank you.

On a night of repeats and specials, "People's Choice Awards" didn't do too badly in the ratings with 9.3 million viewers. THR's Live Feed says that's down 17% from '07 but up 44% from last year, when the writers strike made it a celeb-less affair.

The awards season will be televised, and it's all started now. Brace yourselves!