Julia Roberts Still People’s Choice

No one ever said the People’s Choice Awards were an omen of the Oscars, but maybe they will be this year for Julia Roberts, who Sunday was named favorite motion picture actress for the second year in a row.

Roberts is considered a likely Oscar nominee for “Erin Brockovich.”

On the other hand, People’s Choice provided no clue to what might be nominated for best picture in the wide-open field for the Academy Awards, since the vote for favorite movie went to “The Green Mile,” which was released in 1999.

The 27th annual People’s Choice Awards were handed out Sunday night at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, with CBS broadcasting the event nationally. Winners were selected in a poll conducted by the Gallup Organization, with members of the public asked simply to name their favorites in a variety of categories.

Mel Gibson won as favorite motion picture actor, and Jim Carrey was named favorite motion picture star in a comedy. “Meet the Parents” took the vote for favorite film comedy.

In the television categories, NBC’s “ER” won as favorite dramatic series for the eighth year in a row, while NBC’s “Friends” was selected favorite comedy series for the second consecutive year. Drew Carey and Jennifer Aniston were chosen favorite TV performers.

On the music front, Garth Brooks picked up his 11th award as favorite male performer; Faith Hill won as favorite female performer; and ‘N Sync was chosen favorite musical group.