American audiences reaffirmed Monday they are creatures of habit by choosing perennial winners Bill Cosby and "L.A. Law" in the 17th annual People's Choice Awards.
In addition, TV fans recognized two old favorites - Carol Burnett and Burt Reynolds - ironically both in the category of favorite performers in new television series.Burnett, selected for her NBC variety series, "Carol Burnett & Company," took home her 13th People's Choice Award, and Reynolds, star of the CBS sitcom "Evening Shade" and the host of the awards program, won his ninth award.
Cosby accepted his seventh award for favorite male TV performer and all-around male performer. He dedicated his awards to the Persian Gulf troops, to world peace and to the memory of Sammy Davis Jr. Cosby accepted via hookup from Las Vegas, Nev., where he is performing.
"L.A. Law" won its fifth award in as many years for favorite TV dramatic series.
"Cheers," which week-after-week tops the TV ratings, won its first award, as favorite TV comedy series.
The "Cheers" principal cast members accepted their collective award in a slap-happy mood, playfully hitting their crystal awards and each other with hammers equipped with sound effects of shattering glass.
"Cheers" star Kirstie Alley was also favorite female TV performer and received exaggerated kisses from each of her fellow cast members on her way to the stage.
*****
(Additional information)
The winners were:
Comedy series: "Cheers."
Dramatic series: "L.A. Law."
Miniseries: "The Civil War."
New comedy series: (tie) "In Living Color" and "The Simpsons."
New dramatic series: "Equal Justice."
Male performer: Bill Cosby.
Female performer: Kirstie Alley.
Young performer: Fred Savage.
Male performer in a new series: Burt Reynolds.
Female performer in a new series: Carol Burnett.
Motion Picture: "Pretty Woman."
Comedy motion picture: "Pretty Woman."
Dramatic motion picture: "Ghost."
Motion picture actor: Mel Gibson.
Motion picture actress: Julia Roberts.
Male musical performer: M.C. Hammer.
Female musical performer: Paula Abdul.
All-around male entertainer: Bill Cosby.
All-around female entertainer: Julia Roberts.