BOYLE WINS DGA AWARD

The Directors Guild of America named Danny Boyle the best director of 2008 for “Slumdog Millionaire” on Saturday night.

It’s the first guild win for the 52-year-old British director. Boyle has won critics’ groups honors, as well as the Golden Globe, Critics Choice and the British Independent Film Award for “Slumdog Millionaire.” He’s also nominated for an Oscar for best director for the drama about an Indian teenager who grew up in poverty and reflects upon his life while competing on a TV game show.

The DGA Awards have become one of the most reliable indicators for the Academy Awards, scheduled to be held Feb. 22 at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the guild have disagreed only six times in their selections in the last 60 years.

The 61st annual DGA ceremony was held at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza with Jon Cryer of “Two and a Half Men” filling in as host for Carl Reiner, who was forced to cancel his emcee duties after he became ill from food poisoning.

Other winners announced Saturday night:

* TV drama series: Dan Attias for “The Wire” (HBO)

* TV movie: Jay Roach for “Recount” (HBO)

* TV comedy series: Paul Feig for “The Office” (NBC)

* Musical variety: Brent “Bucky” Gunts for the Opening Ceremony Beijing 2008, Olympic Summer Games (NBC)

* Daytime serials: Larry Carpenter for “One Life to Live” (ABC)

* Reality TV: Tony Croll for “America’s Next Top Model” (CW)

* Documentary: Ari Folman for “Waltz With Bashir”

* Children’s programming: Amy Schatz for “Classical Baby (I’m Grown Up Now): ‘The Poetry Show’ ” (HBO)

* Commercials: Peter Thwaites

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susan.king@latimes.com