JDR sent members to the People's Choice Awards in Jan 06, below are their reports
Originally posted on 1/11/06 at 07:03 AM
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One of the JDR members who went last night emailed me her report. Here it is, so glad to hear that you had a good time and your report is perfect, thanks for writing it! And you're welcome! ( I had divided the JDR group in 2 smaller groups so it was easier for the meet up and parking. This way no one would have to go alone since the requests were so high we limited it to 1 ticket per JDR member to be sure more JDR people got in.)
Here is her report:
Thanks Karen, everything ran smooth in our group. We met up ok and checked in, all names were on the list ok, we got wristbands and tickets and they shuttled us over in busses to the Shrine. Never been in there and the place inside is unreal, a beautiful old building that is full of so much history. I was in awe at actually getting to see the inside. We were in the red carpet bleachers which were on two sides very small so it made it more intimate. At the beginning when all the stars came, they talked to the press and then they would go to one section of the bleachers to sign autographs. Since they could not get to each section, most of them would wave at the crowd which gave you a good opportunity to snap a quick photo. Some of the ones I saw signing autographs were Nicollette Sheridan, Jason Lee, Donald Sutherland, Kelly Clarkston,Craig Surgeon. Things were moving so fast I am sure I missed some as the last 30 minutes before the show everyone was coming and they were rushing them in. They then let us in the auditorium quickly as the show was about to start. They herded everyone upstairs which I thought was just going to be general admission tickets, high up in the balcony where the other red carpet people with event tickets were sent. We ended up with ASSIGNED SEATS in the loge in the 2nd row! The usher hurried us to our seats and we had a perfect view of everything. People were in our seats by the time we got up there but the usher had them move over so we could get our seats. We had a great view and could see all the movie stars coming in late as the show started. No Johnny on the red carpet but since we saw Mathew M come in right before his category to sit down we figured maybe Johnny would do the same. There were tons of screams when Johnny's name came up and then when he won and appeared. They said via satellite which I did not think was really a satellite but the sound was delayed like it so maybe it was. Glad he won and we had a blast. Thanks so much for everything!
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Then Banana reported in on 1/11/06 at 10:37 PM
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I just want to say a huge THANK YOU to Karen, JDR, Sheila & Belinda for the wonderful evening at the People's Choice Awards! Thanks for posting all the details, Sheila - I don't have alot to add, but I can certainly post a few observations....
This was a first time experience for me, and thank to Belinda & Sheila, everything went flawlessly. They took me under their wings (angels that they are) and we flew through all the checkins and lineups with no problems. It was a long day, standing & waiting for shuttles and waiting to get into the red carpet bleachers. I don't watch much TV, so our wonderful Belinda pointed out all the actors and shows (this girl knows EVERYONE!). In addition to the actors Sheila named, we saw Brad Garrett, Dominick Monaghan, Neil Patrick Harris, Patricia Heaton, Lou Ferrigno, Kelsey Grammar, and the designers from ABC Home Makeover.
Since the show is broadcast live starting at 6PM PST, the red carpet arrivals wrapped up around 5:30 and it was rush rush rush to our seats inside, which were just incredible. Didn't even need the binoculars I brought. I kept peaking over the railing hoping that Johnny might slip in from backstage somewhere....
The theatre is gorgeous, the show had beautiful lighting and set design, and all I can say is THUMBS UP. Good job to all the production staff.
Of course the highlight was Johnny's acceptance speech, which he gave from God knows where. Looked like he was at the local Long John Silver's. He thanked everyone and we all applauded and he paused and smiled, and I realized that he could actually HEAR us, so that was really nice. It was kind of special to see him LIVE (from wherever) at that very moment.
By the time the show was over, we were STARVING - no time to eat all day, which is something you really don't think about while all the excitement is happening, but after it's over you realize how hungry you are & how much your feet hurt! (For future JDR attendees - wear comfortable shoes!)
So off we went to Mel's and talked and talked and had a really great time. It's so amazing how Johnny gently paves the way for new friendships. He's such a lovely common denominator.
Again, a big big THANK YOU to Karen, JDR, Belinda & Sheila for the spectacular evening. I still can't believe I got to attend. It was such a special event for me, especially spending it with such sweet people!
Banana
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Then SRoberts101A reported on 1/11/06 at 05:35 PM
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First, thanks to Karen and Johnny Depp Reads for the wonderful opportunity to attend the 32nd Annual People’s Choice Awards and to our good friend Belinda for expertly guiding us through the maze once we arrived at the Shrine Auditorium.
Ginger (Banana), Belinda and I met at the parking lot, checked in, and were issued bright yellow wristbands before being shuttled over to the Shrine Auditorium to be seated in the bleachers for the Red Carpet arrivals. I have to be honest, I see more films than television, so there were many celebrities whom I didn’t recognize, but Belinda is a pro and patiently pointed each and every one out to me so I wasn’t at a complete loss! During the course of the Red Carpet arrivals, we saw many stars and celebrities including George Lucas, Nicolette Sheridan, Donald Sutherland, Doris Roberts, Ray Romano, Kelly Clarkston, and even Tara Banks. The event was well organized and started on time. The stars arrived by limo and graciously waved and sometimes stopped to talk and sign autographs for the fans as they made their way along the red carpet and gave interviews and photo ops to the media and press.
At the conclusion of the Red Carpet, moments before the Awards show started, we were ushered quickly from the bleachers into the Shrine. While we had assigned seats in the Loge, due to the lateness someone had already taken our seats, but the ushers quickly resolved the problem by seating us elsewhere just as the show went live. Our new seats turned out to be just fabulous! We sat dead center in the first couple rows overlooking the stage and right next to the professional photographers who were capturing the event for Getty Images, Reuters, and other media outlets. We had a spectacular, unobstructed view of the entire stage below us. The stage design was amazing and showcased the awards proceedings perfectly providing several convenient locations for presentation and a variety of avenues to the sides and center for quick entrances and exits. There was also an interesting feature of the stage design – sort of an awards show version of a “mosh pit” -- in which lucky audience members stood directly eye-level on either side of the center aisle from where they could observe the action taking place around them. The lighting design was also well done and included a combination of bright spotlights strategically positioned on the floor as well as computer controlled lights inside china balls suspended by wires from the ceiling that cast a soft glow over the event.
The show was hosted by Craig Ferguson who was entertaining, engaging and kept things lively. Throughout the show, he good naturedly targeted the mosh pit audience members with his outrageous brand of host humor tossing crackers on a tray to them after one commercial break and spraying them with water to refresh them after another break! From our vantage point, we could see all the stars as they arrived and took their seats at the last minute prior to presenting or accepting an award including Owen Wilson, Sandra Bullock, Reese Witherspoon, and Matthew McConaughey. The show opened with Jessica Simpson dressed in a sexy cowgirl outfit performing a lively musical number and singing “These Boots Are Made for Walking” surrounding by black-attired dancing cowboys. Ellen DeGeneres, who was honored as Favorite Daytime Talk Show Host and Favorite Funny Female Star, brought excitement and laughter to the stage with her humorous acceptance speech. Harrison Ford (Hans Solo from the original Star Wars) presented writer-director George Lucas with the People’s Choice Award for Favorite Movie for Star Wars: Episode III. George Lopez, who presented the award for Favorite Female Movie Star to Sandra Bullock, energized the show with his outrageous sense of humor -- some of which later had to be bleeped ! Brad Pitt won for Favorite Leading Man and Reese Witherspoon for Favorite Leading Lady. McConaughey won for Favorite Male Action Star and Jennifer Garner for Favorite Female Action Star.
Eva Mendes presented Johnny Depp with the award for Favorite Male Movie Star to the loud and enthusiastic applause of the audience . Johnny appeared live via satellite and was dressed casually sporting a striped brown and white shirt with his sleeves rolled up to reveal his tattoos, a pair of well worn jeans (with plenty of holes!), his trademark brown fedora, glasses, and rings on each hand. He appeared to be lounging in a Caribbean themed restaurant booth and claimed to be on a distant tropical location “working 23, 23-1/2 hours a day surrounded by wild animals and studio executives.” Perhaps he was still working on that Pirates film, but somehow I suspect his location was much closer to the West Coast . With his usual graciousness, humility, and distinctly Johnny sense of humor, he thanked the audience for the award as well as his family and warned he might “weep or break into song.”
Later in the show it was announced that “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” won for Favorite Family Movie.
Television shows which took top honors included “CSI,” “American Idol,” “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” “My Name is Earl,” and “Prison Break.” The latter two were announced after votes cast over the internet during the live telecast were counted. Ray Romano won for Favorite Male TV Star and Jennifer Garner for Favorite Female TV Star. Two members of the group Green Day accepted the award for Favorite Tour.
The Awards were broadcast live on CBS and nominations were determined by the editors of Entertainment Weekly, the People’s Choice production team, and a panel of pop culture fans. The actual award is a flame shaped statuette handcrafted by Orrefors that crystallizes two hands applauding. The winners were determined by internet voting.
Ginger, Belinda and I had a terrific time! We capped off our exciting evening by having dinner together at Mel’s Diner on the Sunset Strip. (Mel’s Diner was one of the locations for George Lucas’ “American Graffiti” in 1979.) I recommend their Hot Fudge Sundae highly!!
Thanks again to Johnny Depp Reads, Karen, and Belinda for a wonderful experience!!