DIVERSE GROUP TOPS 'PEOPLE'S CHOICE'
The nation has shown it has truly eclectic tastes in voting for this year's People's Choice Awards. Just look at the top music kudos handed out on the CBS broadcast: Favorite female musical performer, Faith Hill; male performer, Eminem; group or band (a tie between) the Dixie Chicks and Creed. In another tied division, "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" and "Spider-Man" won in the favorite movie category. America's king and queen of the silver screen in the People's Choice voting were Mel Gibson and Julia Roberts. The royalty of TV are Ray Romano (who had his twin, grade school-age sons deliver his acceptance speech) and Jennifer Aniston. The broadcast was the 29th annual for the event. Some winners sent in videotaped acceptance speeches.


NEWCOMER JONES WOWS 'EM AT GRAMMYS
Singer Norah Jones has followed in the footsteps of a cadre of past performers who came from obscurity to score big at the Grammys. During the internationally telecast event she beat out tough competition from music veterans, including Bruce Springsteen and Eminem, to win album, song and record of the year honors. Her album "Come Away With Me" became a huge instant seller. The big song from it was "Don't Know Why," which also garnered songwriting honors for Jesse Harris. At age 23, Jones is a photogenic, energetic addition to the world of pop music at a time when sales are down and many see it without a sense of direction -- or future. By the way, Springsteen won three awards: Best Rock Song, Rock Album and Rock Vocal Performance. All three honors stemmed from his dynamite CD "The Rising." Best Country Album went to "Home," by the Dixie Chicks. Much-loved country singer Johnny Cash copped the Country Male Vocalist honors with his song "Give My Love to Rose." Eminem got the Grammy for Best Rap Album, "The Eminen Snow." All in all, it was quite a show, with minimal bad language. Simon and Garfunkel opened the broadcast with "The Sounds of Silence." It was the first time the duo had performed in public in a decade.