Dancing with the Stars and American Idol fifth-season finalist Chris Daughtry were both honored during last night's pre-taped broadcast of the 34th annual People's Choice Awards on CBS.
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The Idol fifth-season third-place finisher saw his band Daughtry win the award for Favorite Rock Song with "Home," a ballad that served as background music for Idol sixth-season eliminations. "Home" defeated "Hey There Delilah" by Plain White T's and "Makes Me Wonder" by Maroon 5.
"We're very, very honored to be accepting this award from the people," said Daughtry, who received the award via satellite with his fellow band mates. "You're the reason we do what we do and why we're able to do what we do, so thank you very much."
Daughtry has been riding high in recent weeks, as his band took home 2007 American Music Awards in November for Favorite Adult Contemporary Artist and Favorite Breakthrough Artist -- while the group's self-titled debut album was also recognized for Favorite Pop or Rock Album.
A few weeks later, Daughtry received three Grammy Award nominations. The group's self-titled debut was nominated for Best Rock Album; one of its singles -- "It's Over You" -- received a nod in the Best Rock Song category; and "Home" received a nod in the Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals category.
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ABC's Dancing with the Stars took home the award for Favorite Reality Show, besting Fox's American Idol and ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.
"I'm telling you guys, this really means the world to us," said Dancing with the Stars judge Bruno Tonioli, who accepted the award with fellow judge Carrie Ann Inaba. "This comes from you guys -- this is from the hearts of America. You've embraced us and we love you. Thank you very much."
"No one believed a ballroom dance show would be interesting," added Inaba. "We thank you for just kind of joining in with us on the ride. It's an honor."
Reality shows first received a People's Choice Awards category in 2001, when Survivor was honored as the Favorite Reality Based TV Program. There was no reality category in 2002, but Survivor: Thailand won Favorite Reality/Game Show honors in 2003.
While there was no reality category once again in 2004, there were three in 2005 -- with MTV's Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica being honored for Favorite Reality Show Other; Extreme Makeover: Home Edition honored as the Favorite Reality Show Makeover; and Idol honored as Favorite Reality Show Competition.
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Idol once again took home Favorite Reality Show Competition honors in 2006, and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition was honored as the Favorite Reality Show Other winner. Idol won Favorite Reality Show honors during the 2007 ceremony, which featured only one reality category.
Due to the ongoing Writers Guild of America strike, the People's Choice Awards announced last month it would replace its traditional live show with "a new format" that delivered awards to music, film and television stars on location.
People's Choice Awards' recipients are determined by fan votes cast via the People's Choice website.
About The Author: Christopher Rocchio