'Lord of the Rings,' a box-office favorite, gets two big honors at People's Choice Awards

PASADENA, Calif. (AP) _ ``The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' proved a crowd-pleaser at the 29th Annual People's Choice Awards, sharing the favorite motion picture award with

Monday, January 13th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

PASADENA, Calif. (AP) _ ``The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' proved a crowd-pleaser at the 29th Annual People's Choice Awards, sharing the favorite motion picture award with co-nominee ``Spider-Man'' and winning in the best dramatic motion picture category.

The ``Fellowship of the Ring'' captured the two top awards while its sequel, ``The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers,'' was topping the box office.

At the awards ceremony Sunday night, Mel Gibson was named favorite motion picture actor and Julia Roberts won the favorite actress award, her ninth win in the category.

Jennifer Aniston also made a return engagement as favorite female television performer for her role as Rachel on ``Friends,'' which also won in the favorite comedy series category.

Ray Romano took home the favorite male television performer prize, and ``CSI: Crime Scene Investigation'' dethroned longtime top vote-getter ``ER'' in the favorite television drama series.

Country singer Faith Hill and rap sensation Eminem were named as favorite musical performers.

The People's Choice Awards were presented live at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, with Tony Danza hosting. The awards cover 16 categories in film, television and drama.

A nationwide poll conducted by the Gallup Organization determined both the open-ended nominees and the winners.

Fans also could vote on the Internet in two categories. They named ``Eight Simple Rules for Dating Your Teenage Daughter'' the best new comedy series, and ``CSI: Miami'' the best new television drama.

The complete list of winners:

_ Motion picture: (tie) ``The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' and ``Spider-Man.''

_ Dramatic motion picture: ``The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.''

_ Comedy motion picture: ``My Big Fat Greek Wedding''

_ Motion picture actor: Mel Gibson.

_ Motion picture actress: Julia Roberts

_ Television dramatic series: ``CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.''

_ Television comedy series: ``Friends.''

_ Female television performer: Jennifer Aniston.

_ Male television performer: Ray Romano.

_ Reality-based television program: ``Survivor: Thailand.''

_ Daytime dramatic series: ``Days of Our Lives.''

_ New television comedy series: ``8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter.''

_ New television dramatic series: ``CSI: Miami.''

_ Female musical performer: Faith Hill.

_ Male musical performer: Eminem.

_ Favorite group or band: (tie) Dixie Chicks and Creed.