Paul Wesley in The Vampire Diaries. / The CW
I generally do not pay much attention to the People’s Choice Awards, because as a professional critic, it is my duty to despise the people. But actually the awards have a use, as a measure of popularity that’s different from the ratings. Since they rely on motivated online voters, they’re a measure of what performers and works have the most intense followings (or, at least, which ones can best create the impression of same).
So what is America intense about? Big surprise: it loves the hell out of vampires.
The Vampire Diaries and True Blood both won awards, for favorite new TV drama and “favorite TV obsession” (whatever that distinction means) respectively, while Twilight won as both movie and movie franchise. In the other TV categories, it was no surprise that intensely devout Gleeks would have made Glee the favorite new comedy. I was surprised, though, that both House and Hugh Laurie won; I’m not a big follower of the show (though I like it well enough), but anecdotally I’d had the impression that the past season overall was not a favorite even among its big fans.
And congratulations to Alyson Hannigan for picking up an award—for her show that is not about vampires. Now that’s an accomplishment.