Top 10 moments from the 2012 People’s Choice Awards (photos)

The 2012 People’s Choice Awards aired tonight on CBS and while there were plenty of fun moments, some were more memorable than others. Below are the top 10 moments that TV viewers will be talking about around water coolers tomorrow.

1. Betty White steals the show. Betty White will celebrate her 90th birthday next week, so the Hot in Cleveland star got front and center seating at this year's PCA's. She was featured on camera all night and made the trek to the stage when Hot in Cleveland won the award for Favorite Cable TV Comedy. The Betty White fame train rolls on.
2. Kaley Cuoco’s opening skit. Kayley’s opening number was just plain funny. Her co-stars from The Big Bang Theory debate the importance of receiving an award from “the people.” One says, “They’re chosen by the same people who think their blankets need sleeves!” Kaley adds, “If it’s not hosted by Neil Patrick Harris, who cares?” It was a well-written, timely and very funny opening. Kudos to the PCA writers.
3. Neil Patrick Harris returns. The star of How I Met Your Mother has hosted a number of awards shows, including the People’s Choice Awards. He sat in the audience, quietly waiting to break into an opening dance number. When Kaley tore off his breakaway tux and revealed his two stately and well-endowed women companions, Harris said lamely that they were his parents. He was eventually escorted from the building. To cap off the night, How I Met Your Mother won the final award of the evening for Favorite Network TV Comedy, meaning Harris left a memorable mark at the beginning and end of the show. Well done.
4. Most heartfelt speech. Emma Stone won an award for Favorite Movie Actress and touched viewers with her honest, candid acceptance speech. “You have to stay true to yourself and don’t be afraid,” she said emotionally. “We’re all in this together.”
5. Robert Pattinson takes the stage. Unlike last year when Pattinson, Lautner and Stewart huddled together in their seats, the only Twilight star present at the 2012 PCA's was Robert Pattinson. He took the stage to accept the People’s Choice Award for his film Water for Elephants. “It was so much fun doing it that I didn’t even care if anyone saw it,” he said of the film. Oh, R-Patt...
6. Nathan Fillion cracks up the audience. Nathan Fillion from Castle won a People’s Choice Award for Favorite TV Drama Actor. He was quite serious until he cracked up the audience by saying, “To the fans, let this great crystallized tear of victory be a symbol of your excellent taste.” Very funny, especially for a drama actor.
7. Best crack by host Kaley Cuoco: “Pajama jeans – it means that you have just given up.”
8. Morgan Freeman wins first ever Favorite Movie Icon Award. Talk about stiff competition. This was the first year ever for the Movie Icon category and the nominees were Robert De Niro, Harrison Ford, Tom Hanks, Morgan Freeman and George Clooney. During his humble acceptance speech, Freeman explained that the definition of icon is, “A person who is representative of something.” He quickly added, “I represent a working actor who is forever grateful for this award.” Very nice.
9. Faith Hill lights up the stage. Country star Faith Hill took a five-year break from recording and performing, but she proved tonight that she’s back and better than ever. She lit up the stage by performing “Come Home." Once a star, always a star.
10. Best line of the night. 2 Broke Girls won the award for Favorite New TV Comedy. Kat Dennings and Beth Behrs accepted the award graciously. Behrs wins the award for the best line of the night when she said, “Thanks for making ‘2 Broke Girls’ feel like a million bucks.” Perfect and nicely said.

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