Christian Bale accepts the favorite action movie award for “The Dark Knight” at the 35th Annual People’s Choice Awards on Wednesday in Los Angeles. {thanks, AP}

From today’s b, the paper

LOS ANGELES — “The Dark Knight” soared away with every trophy it was nominated for Wednesday at the 35th annual People’s Choice Awards on CBS. The caped crusader flick won five awards, including favorite cast, superhero, action movie and on-screen matchup for Christian Bale’s Batman and the late Heath Ledger’s Joker.”On behalf of all of the cast from the movie, thank you very much to the fans,” said Bale. “Here’s to Heath.”

The CBS ceremony was hosted by Queen Latifah and returned to the Shrine Auditorium for its typical star-studded live show format, following last year’s writer’s strike-friendly, pre-taped program. Stars such as Adam Sandler, Kate Hudson, Robin Williams, Hugh Laurie and Reese Witherspoon showed up to accept thier awards at the slightly subdued ceremony.

“It’s such a great way to start the new year,” Witherspoon, the “Four Christmases” star who won an Oscar in 2005 for portaying June Carter Cash in “Walk the Line,” said as she accepted her award for favorite female movie star. “A couple years ago, I won a great award for singing in a movie. This year, I won an award for having a baby throw up on me.”

Other recipients selected by Internet voters in categories spanning movies, television and music included “Dancing With the Stars” as favorite reality show, Carrie Underwood as favorite female singer, “House” as favorite TV drama, Brad Pitt as favorite leading man, Angelina Jolie as favorite female action star and Ellen DeGeneres as favorite talk show host.

“I wish I could share this with you,” DeGeneres told the audience while clutching her trophy on stage. “I could throw it on the ground and smash it into a million pieces, and give each one of you a little piece of it, but that’s violent, and that’s probably why you voted for me, because I’m not violent.” {AP}

Pitt defends Aniston, denies Jolie affair

Brad Pitt insists he didn’t cheat on Jennifer Aniston with Angelina Jolie.

In a story posted on W magazine’s Web site, the 45-year-old actor defends both women and says his relationship with Jolie didn’t begin until after he and Aniston split in 2005.

Jolie revealed last year that she and Pitt fell in love on the set of the 2005 film “Mr. & Mrs. Smith.” In November, Aniston called Jolie’s comments “really uncool.”

Pitt tells the magazine for its Jan. 20 issue that filming continued after he split from Aniston, whom he calls a “sweetheart” in the interview, and that his relationship with Jolie wasn’t “some kind of dastardly affair.” {AP}

‘Dark Knight’ scoops up another accolade

Add writing to Batman’s bag of tricks. “The Dark Knight” has earned a nomination for best adapted screenplay from the Writers Guild of America.

The Batman blockbuster is competing with “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” “Doubt,” “Frost/Nixon” and “Slumdog Millionaire.”

Nominated for original screenplay Wednesday: “Burn After Reading,” “Milk,” Woody Allen’s “Vicky Cristina Barcelona,” the cross-culture tale “The Visitor” and “The Wrestler.” {AP}

Hudson won’t be joining inauguration party

Contrary to rumors circulating last week, Jennifer Hudson will not be performing at the presidential inauguration.

The rumor mill had stirred hopes that the event would bring Hudson back to the stage for the first time since the tragic slayings of her family members.

However, a representative for the Season 3 contender has put an end to the scuttlebutt, telling “Access Hollywood,” “There is no truth to this.”

Idol Nation continues to wait for the return of one of its great heroines. {LOS ANGELES TIMES}

Spawn no. 2 for Bennifer
Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck welcomed their second daughter on Tuesday, People reports. A name was not released.

Zeppelin to tour, record sans Plant
NME.com reports Jimmy Page’s manager confirmed on Tuesday that Led Zeppelin is planning to tour and record a new album with a replacement singer for Robert Plant.

Spelling heading back to the same old zip code
According to Entertainment Weekly, Tori Spelling is moving back to Beverly Hills. Spelling, 35, will reportedly sign on to reprise her role as Donna Martin in the CW’s new “90210.”

Underwood jumps on the hockey bf train
“Access Hollywood” reports Carrie Underwood has been romantically linked to Canadian-born hockey player Mike Fisher, center for the Ottawa Senators.

Porn industry to request $5B bailout — really
Hustler publisher Larry Flynt and Girls Gone Wild CEO Joe Francis said Wednesday they want $5 billion for a bailout of the adult entertainment industry, cnn.com reports. It’s news that is really hard to swallow. Thanks, b Images Editor Brian Krista, for the “swallow” joke.

New Eminem song leaked online
A new song from Eminem, “Crack a Bottle,” which features 50 Cent and Dr. Dre has leaked online, billboard.com reports. Em’s new album, Relapse, is expected this spring.

HBO to air inauguration opening ceremony
HBO has secured exclusive rights to air the Jan. 18 opening ceremony of Barack Obama’s presidential inauguration, zap2it.com reports. The network hasn’t nailed down whether the show will air live. {Compiled by Jordan Bartel, b}

I didn’t have to meet Big to play Big. If you from [Brooklyn], you supposed to know it. You supposed to know the boy’s swagger from the door
— Jamal “Gravy” Woolard, who plays slain rapper Biggie Smalls in upcoming film “Notorious”

You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.