When: Sunday, January 12th, 1997, 9:00pm-11:00pm (live EST, delayed PST)
Place: Santa Monica Airport, Santa Monica, CA
Hosts: Don Johnson ("Nash Bridges") & Roma Downey ("Touched By
An Angel")
Broadcast: CBS
* denotes winner
Actor-director-producer Rob Reiner was honored for his 30 years of career achievements in motion pictures and television with a special tribute.
Reinerís latest film, "Ghosts of Mississippi," which he directed earlier last year, tells the true story of Mississippi District Attorney Bobby DeLaughterís determination to bring to justice racist murderer Byron De La Beckwith 30 years after slaying civil rights worker Medgar Evers. The film stars Alec Baldwin, Whoopi Goldberg and James Woods.
Raised in a show business family in Los Angeles, Reiner began his career as an actor and appeared in two films directed by his father, Carl, before gaining national prominence as Archie Bunkerís liberal son-in-law, Mike Stivic, on CBSís "All in the Family." The role garnered him two Emmy awards (1974 and 1978). He made his directorial debut with the hilarious and critically acclaimed "rockumentary" parody, "This is Spinal Tap" (1984) and has since established himself as one of Hollywoodís most successful and distinguished directors.
Reiner enjoyed critical directorial success with the comedies "The Sure Thing" (1985), "The Princess Bride" (1987), and "When Harry Met SallyÖ" (1989), for which he received Best Director nominations from the Directors Guild of America and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. He was lauded with similar nominations for the romantic comedy "The American President" (1995). He also demonstrated a deft hand for dramatic material with his poignant directing of Stephen Kingís adolescent thriller "Stand By Me" (1986), which also garnered him nominations for a DGA Award and Golden Globe. The films "Misery" (1990), "A Few Good Men" (1992) and "North" (1994) were not only directed by Reiner, but co-produced by him through the Castle Rock Entertainment production company, which he co-founded in 1987. He still serves as one of the principal owners.
Aside from his work behind the camera, Reiner has continued to act, appearing in such films as "Enter Laughing," "Bullets Over Broadway," "Postcards from the Edge," and the 1993 smash hit "Sleepless in Seattle," "Bye, Bye Love" and "The First Wives Club," to name but a few.
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Each year the "Peopleís Choice Awards" pays special tribute
to an individual whose distinguished career has made tremendous impact in the entertainment
industry. |
The "People's Choice Awards" honors the top vote-getters in 15 categories
of television, feature films, and music.
First welcomed into the homes of television viewers more than two decades ago in
March, 1975, The People's Choice Awards are the most famous way of giving the American
public a voice; by asking them to name their favorites in the fields of television,
film, and music. It also allows the fans - those who write letters, buy records and
concert tickets, watch the television programs and stand in lines at movie theaters
- to tell each performer they love, "You are our Favorite!" The People's
Choice Awards is celebrating its 23rd anniversary.
The People's Choice Awards is a lavish, star-studded affair. But what makes the greatest
impression is that in an industry in which performers are frequently showered with
all manner of accolades and awards by their peers, those who are chosen as Favorites
in their categories are honored by all the people, and those most important critics
and judges of all: the American public. Brett Butler, host of the 1996 program, said
"The People's Choice Awards are a direct link between audience and performers.
You pick these winners!"
The People's Choice Awards stands apart from other awards because they involve no
lobbying and no politics. Honorees are not chosen by industry peers, but by a special
opinion poll, representative of 212 million Americans. It is conducted by The Gallup
Organization, the prestigious and highly respected polling firm based in Princeton,
New Jersey. Performers cannot campaign for a nomination, because there are no nominations.
The public is simply asked to "fill in the blank" with their favorites
in each category. Perhaps that explains why Bill Cosby, an outspoken opponent of
awards shows in which performers vie against each other, graciously (and humorously,
of course) accepted the 24 People's Choice Awards bestowed upon his series, The Cosby
Show, and himself. And that is the true reason such diverse talents as country singer
Barbara Mandrell and actress Meryl Streep could have shared the award for All-Around
Female Entertainer in 1995, or why the All-Around Male Entertainer award another
year went to both Eddie Murphy and Tom Selleck. Roseanne, never one to say something
she doesn't believe, declared last year, "This award means more to me than anything
else because of where it comes from, the people I love to do it for."
Procter and Gamble productions have produced all of The People's Choice Awards shows.
To date, well over one thousand stars of film, television and music have appeared
on the show and more than 300 stars have been honored.
The actual People's Choice Award handed to each recipient is hand-crafted out of
pure leaded crystal, weighs fourteen pounds and is a work of art that costs $3,000
to produce.
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