PASADENA, Calif. — "Big Daddy," the Adam Sandler summer hit that was panned by critics, and the supernatural thriller "The Sixth Sense," won best film honors at the 26th annual People's Choice Awards on Sunday.
The awards, which honor popular favorites in films, television and music, named Sandler's film the most popular comedy of the year and gave Sandler the nod for favorite comic actor.
"The Sixth Sense" was named the favorite film and favorite dramatic film of 1999, and Bruce Willis, who starred in it, was named favorite motion picture actor.
"Thank you for giving 'The Sixth Sense' the respect it deserved," Willis told the audience.
The awards were based on a telephone poll of 5,000 Americans conducted by the Gallup Organization. The poll is intended to reflect the views of 200 million Americans.
As part of the show's 26th anniversary, members of the public were allowed to vote on the Internet for their favorite new drama series and new comedy series.
"Providence" won favorite new television dramatic series, while "Stark Raving Mad" won favorite new television comedy series.
In a news conference following the awards, Willis told reporters how much he had enjoyed working with director M. Night Shyamalan, whom he called "brilliant," and with child actor Haley Joel Osment. "He has so much heart, so much talent. It's just astonishing to see that," Willis said, adding that he expected Osment to receive an Oscar nomination.
Although neither of her current films, "Notting Hill" and "Runaway Bride," received awards, Julia Roberts was chosen as "favorite motion picture actress." Action hero Harrison Ford was chosen as "favorite motion picture actor."
The people's favorite choice of television comedy series went to "Friends," now in its sixth year. "ER," the highest-rated, most-watched show on television, was chosen as favorite dramatic series.
Drew Carey, oddball comedic actor, was named favorite male television performer, and Calista Flockhart, star of "Ally McBeal," was named favorite female television performer.
Billy Campbell, star of TV drama "Once and Again," was honored as favorite male performer in a new television series.
Jennifer Love Hewitt, who came to the public eye on the hit TV show "Party of Five" and who now stars in "Time of Your Life," was named "favorite female performer in a new television series."
In the musical categories, Latin heartthrob Ricky Martin was voted favorite male musical performer. Country-pop sensation Shania Twain, was named favorite female musical performer, and Backstreet Boys were chosen favorite musical group.