TV Hot Spot: News

Strike Forces People's Choice Revamp!

Post by: Sal


Source: Zap2It

Concerns about the writers strike have apparently caused a format shift for the People's Choice Awards.

By mid-afternoon on Wednesday (Dec. 19), a number of media sources were reporting that the People's Choice Awards had been cancelled entirely. While that buzz was false, the annual populist kudosfest will have a very different look in its latest incarnation.

While the awards themselves haven't been cancelled, the People's Choice Awards will take place on Jan. 8 without its usual Shrine Auditorium ceremony and star-studded red carpet. Instead, Queen Latifiah will host a news magazine-style show featuring pre-taped acceptance speeches (winners are always notified in advance anyway) and celebrities answering questions from fans.

Fans can submit their questions starting Friday on the People's Choice website.

The writers strike, now in its seventh week, was set to impact the People's Choice Awards on a number of different levels. Not only did the WGA reportedly refuse to grant the show a waiver for scripted banter, the inevitable picket line would probably have deterred many (if not all) big names from attending.

CBS will still telecast the revamped People's Choice Awards as planned at 9 p.m. on Jan. 8.


Take Care,

Sal