Blockbuster Entertainment Awards#Video Games
{{short description|Film awards ceremony which ran from 1995 to 2001}}
{{Infobox award
| name = Blockbuster Entertainment Awards
| awarded_for = Peoples choice awards for music, film, and video games
| location = Los Angeles, Hollywood
| country = United States
| sponsor = Blockbuster LLC
| presenter = Blockbuster Entertainment
| reward = Trophy
| most_awards = Nicolas Cage
| year = {{start date and age|1995}}
| year2 = {{end date and age|2001}}
| producer = Ken Ehrlich
| network = CBS (1995)
UPN (1996–1998)
Fox (1999–2001)
Fox Radio
}}
The Blockbuster Entertainment Awards was a film awards ceremony, founded by Blockbuster Entertainment, Inc., that ran from 1995 until 2001, and ended with the decision to cancel the 2002 awards following concerns after the September 11 attacks. They were produced each year by Ken Ehrlich.{{cite web |url=https://movies.nytimes.com/person/233623/Ken-Ehrlich/filmography |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130630013542/http://movies.nytimes.com/person/233623/Ken-Ehrlich/filmography |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 30, 2013 |department=Movies & TV Dept. |work=The New York Times |title=Ken Ehrlich |access-date=May 15, 2013}}{{cite web |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/blockbusterr-and-entertainment-weekly-magazine-present-the-seventh-annual-blockbuster-entertainment-awardsr-airing-april-11-on-fox-70975167.html |title=Blockbuster(R) and Entertainment Weekly Magazine Present the Seventh Annual Blockbuster Entertainment Awards(R) Airing April 11 on FOX |date=January 8, 2001 |via=PR Newswire |access-date=May 15, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131114234028/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/blockbusterr-and-entertainment-weekly-magazine-present-the-seventh-annual-blockbuster-entertainment-awardsr-airing-april-11-on-fox-70975167.html|archive-date=November 14, 2013}}
Formation and first awards
The awards were first held on June 3, 1995, at the Pantages Theatre{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1AsEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA87 |title=Calendar: June |date=May 27, 1995 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=September 30, 2019 |page=87}} and broadcast on June 6. The idea for the awards show came from Blockbuster marketing executive Brian Woods, who worked on the project for about two years. Blockbuster reportedly saw creating the awards as a way of promoting both the company and also the performers whose records and films were sold in their stores.
{{cquote|We wanted to have entertainers who are truly public favorites, like Arnold Schwarzenegger or Sylvester Stallone or Jean-Claude Van Damme, people who do big box office and big business in home video, but are not in the foreseeable future likely to be nominated for an Academy Award.|Brian Woods}}
CBS signed a contract to screen the awards in late 1994, and Ken Ehrlich was hired to produce. Winners were determined by votes cast by customers in Blockbuster stores. The ballot consisted of the year's three top-grossing films, videos, and music albums{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/05/22/business/more-awards-programs-more-winners-more-money.html |title=More Awards Programs, More Winners, More Money |last1=Mifflin |first1=Lawrie |date=May 22, 1995 |work=The New York Times |url-access=subscription |access-date=September 30, 2019}} in 33 categories.{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2gsEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA73 |title=Blockbuster Getting Into The Act With Awards Show |last= Fitzpatrick |first=Eileen |date=March 4, 1995 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=September 30, 2019 |page=64}} Over 1.5 million votes were cast and approximately 10 million people watched the awards on television. The music and video industry "turned out in full force" for the event, which was hosted by Cindy Crawford and William Baldwin. Celebrities attending included Bill Pullman, George Clooney, Kurt Russell, Steve Martin, Jennifer Tilly, Melanie Griffith, Danny Glover, Alfre Woodard, and David Spade.{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8AsEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA64|title=Industry Turns Out For Blockbuster Awards |date=June 17, 1995 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=September 30, 2019 |page=64}} Jim Carrey, who won three awards, was one of the few winners who thanked voters for his award, stating: "I'm thankful for this award, even if you rented my tapes just to show the guy behind the counter that you rent more than porn videos." Eileen Fitzpatrick of Billboard magazine stated that the awards show was "surprisingly entertaining", and applauded Blockbuster for "raising the status of home video". Fitzpatrick questioned the idea of handing out awards for films in both theatrical and video releases, saying it did not make much sense, as almost all films nominated had been on video for several months. This caused confusion for recipients, many of whom did not understand what award they were getting. Sandra Bullock had just received the award for Best Action / Adventure / Thriller Actress in Video for the film Speed, when she was named the winner for the same film in the theatrical category, and "literally didn't know whether she was coming on or going off the stage."{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8AsEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA60 |title=Blockbuster Awards Reflect Video Industry's Legitimacy |last=Fitzpatrick |first=Eileen |date=June 17, 1995 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=September 30, 2019 |page=60}}
Subsequent awards
The second Blockbuster Entertainment Awards were held on March 6, 1996{{cite web |url=http://www.cmt.com/artists/shania-twain/photos/7990444 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160316094430/http://www.cmt.com/artists/shania-twain/photos/7990444/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 16, 2016 |title=Photo of Shania Twain|work=Country Music Television |access-date=May 15, 2013}} at the Pantages Theatre, and hosted by Kelsey Grammer. As Blockbuster was owned by Viacom, who also owned Paramount Pictures, MTV, Big Ticket Television and Worldvision Enterprises, producer Ken Ehrlich stated the awards "bent over backward" to avoid any connections with Paramount, in order to give the awards more credibility. Paramount productions were nominated for only 5 of the 49 nominations, though coverage of the awards switched from CBS to the United Paramount Network.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,291538,00.html |title=Blockbuster Entertainment Awards -- The second annual ceremony could reward Emma Thompson and Brad Pitt |last1=Richter |first1=Erin |date=February 23, 1996 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180617043006/https://ew.com/article/1996/02/23/blockbuster-entertainment-awards/ |archive-date=June 17, 2018 |url-status=dead}} Unlike the first ceremony, which was taped and aired later, the 2nd ceremony were aired live.{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JA0EAAAAMBAJ&q=%22blockbuster+entertainment+awards%22+nominees+billboard&pg=PA96 |title=Blockbuster Awards: New Time, New Channel |last=Fitzpatrick |first=Eileen |date=December 16, 1995 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=September 30, 2019 |page=96}}
The 3rd Blockbuster Entertainment Awards were held on March 11, 1997, at the Pantages Theatre. Over 11 million votes were cast, which made it the largest publicly-voted awards presentation in history at the time.{{cite web |url=http://blockbuster.mwnewsroom.com/manual-releases/Talk-With-The-Stars-Live-From-The-3rd-Annual-Block |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304033840/http://blockbuster.mwnewsroom.com/manual-releases/Talk-With-The-Stars-Live-From-The-3rd-Annual-Block |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |url-status=usurped |title=Talk With The Stars Live From The 3rd Annual Blockbuster Entertainment Awards Chat Room on Tuesday, March 11 at www.blockbuster.com |date=March 8, 1997 |work=Blockbuster LLC |access-date=May 15, 2013 }} Reba McEntire, Tony Rich, Blackstreet and Garth Brooks performed live.
The 4th Annual Blockbuster Entertainment Awards were held on March 10, 1998, at the Pantages Theatre. Once again over 11 million votes were cast. Boyz II Men, Garth Brooks, Mariah Carey and Savage Garden performed live.{{cite web | date = March 10, 1998 | title = Julia Roberts and Will Smith Each Take Two Trophies at Fourth Annual Blockbuster Entertainment Awards | url = http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/julia-roberts-and-will-smith-each-take-two-trophies-at-fourth-annual-blockbuster-entertainment-awardsr-77062637.html | publisher = Blockbuster Entertainment | via = PR Newswire | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150620224920/https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/julia-roberts-and-will-smith-each-take-two-trophies-at-fourth-annual-blockbuster-entertainment-awardsr-77062637.html | archive-date = June 20, 2015 | url-status = dead| access-date = September 30, 2019 }}
The 5th Blockbuster Entertainment Awards were held on June 16, 1999{{cite web |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/star-studded-excitement-of-fifth-annual-blockbuster-entertainment-awardsr-featured-at-wwwblockbustercom-74842112.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150620091051/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/star-studded-excitement-of-fifth-annual-blockbuster-entertainment-awardsr-featured-at-wwwblockbustercom-74842112.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 20, 2015 |title= Star-Studded Excitement of Fifth Annual Blockbuster Entertainment Awards(R) Featured at www.blockbuster.com |date=June 16, 1999 |via=PR Newswire |access-date=May 15, 2013}} at the Shrine Auditorium.{{cite web |url=https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/458705/the-5th-annual-blockbuster-entertainment-awards |title=5th Annual Blockbuster Entertainment Awards, The |work=Turner Classic Movies |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181015002819/http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/458705/5th-Annual-Blockbuster-Entertainment-Awards-The/ |archive-date=October 15, 2018 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://tv.nytimes.com/show/38881/5th-Annual-Blockbuster-Entertainment-Awards/overview |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130403223422/http://tv.nytimes.com/show/38881/5th-Annual-Blockbuster-Entertainment-Awards/overview |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 3, 2013 |title=5th Annual Blockbuster Entertainment Awards |work=The New York Times |access-date=May 15, 2013 }} Approximately 6.5 million people watched the awards on television. Harry Connick, Jr. described his nomination for Best Actor for the critically panned film Hope Floats as "absolutely insane".{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Wl8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA66 |title=Blockbuster Entertainment Award |date=April 2000 |magazine=Los Angeles |access-date=September 30, 2019 |page=96}}
The 6th Blockbuster Entertainment Awards were held on May 9, 2000{{cite web |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sixth-annual-blockbuster-entertainment-awardsr-presenters-and-performers-to-receive-king-size-basket-of-thank-you-gifts-73060002.html |title=Sixth Annual Blockbuster Entertainment Awards(R) Presenters and Performers To Receive King Size Basket of Thank You Gifts |date=May 8, 2000 |via=PR Newswire |access-date=May 15, 2013}} at the Shrine Auditorium, and for the first time presented awards for video games in addition to music and film.{{cite web |url=http://tv.nytimes.com/show/38913/6th-Annual-Blockbuster-Entertainment-Awards/overview |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130403211716/http://tv.nytimes.com/show/38913/6th-Annual-Blockbuster-Entertainment-Awards/overview |archive-date=April 3, 2013 |title=6th Annual Blockbuster Entertainment Awards |work=The New York Times |url-status=dead}} Christina Aguilera and the Backstreet Boys both received two awards.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1045588/this-day-in-music |title=This Day in Music |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180621211538/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1045588/this-day-in-music |archive-date=June 21, 2018 |url-status=live}}
The 7th and final Blockbuster Entertainment Awards were held on April 10, 2001, at the Shrine Auditorium. Approximately 4.5 million people watched the awards on television. Stevie Nicks, Sheryl Crow, Joe, Mystikal, LeAnn Rimes and Ricky Martin performed live at the event.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/80178/nicks-crow-rimes-sign-on-for-blockbuster-awards |title=Nicks, Crow, Rimes Sign On For Blockbuster Awards |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181015043733/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/80178/nicks-crow-rimes-sign-on-for-blockbuster-awards |archive-date=October 15, 2018 |url-status=live}}
Categories
These were the categories presented at the Blockbuster Entertainment Awards.
=Movies=
- Favorite Actor - Action/Adventure
- Favorite Actress - Action/Adventure
- Favorite Actor - Comedy
- Favorite Actress - Comedy
- Favorite Actor - Drama
- Favorite Actress - Drama
- Favorite Actor - Horror
- Favorite Actress - Horror
- Favorite Actor - Science Fiction
- Favorite Actress - Science Fiction
- Favorite Actor - Suspense
- Favorite Actress - Suspense
- Favorite Actor - Newcomer
- Favorite Actress - Newcomer
- Family Animated Favorite
- Family Favorite
- Family Favorite Film
- Favorite Family Film
- Favorite Supporting Actor - Action/Adventure
- Favorite Supporting Actress - Action/Adventure
- Favorite Supporting Actor - Comedy
- Favorite Supporting Actress - Comedy
- Favorite Supporting Actor - Drama
- Favorite Supporting Actress - Drama
- Favorite Supporting Actor - Horror
- Favorite Supporting Actress - Horror
- Favorite Supporting Actor - Science Fiction
- Favorite Supporting Actress - Science Fiction
- Favorite Supporting Actor - Suspense
- Favorite Supporting Actress - Suspense
- Favorite Actor - Drama/Romance
- Favorite Actress - Drama/Romance
- Favorite Actor - Comedy/Romance
- Favorite Actress - Comedy/Romance
- Favorite Supporting Actor - Drama/Romance
- Favorite Supporting Actress - Drama/Romance
- Favorite Supporting Actor - Comedy/Romance
- Favorite Supporting Actress - Comedy/Romance
- Favorite Comedy Team
- Favorite Action Team
- Favorite Actor - Action
- Favorite Actress - Action
- Favorite Actor - Action/Science Fiction
- Favorite Supporting Actor - Action/Science Fiction
- Favorite Villain
- Filmmaker Award
- World Artist Award
=Music=
- Favorite CD
- Favorite Duo/Group - Country
- Favorite Female - Country
- Favorite Male - Country
- Favorite Female - R&B
- Favorite Group - R&B
- Favorite Male - Rap
- Favorite Group - Rap
- Favorite Group - Classic Rock
- Favorite Group - Modern Rock
- Favorite Soundtrack
- Favorite Group - Pop
- Favorite Female - Pop
- Favorite Group - New Artist
- Favorite Male - New Artist
- Favorite Female - New Artist
- Favorite Male Artist - Pop
- Favorite Artist - Rap
- Favorite Latino Artist
- Favorite Latino Group
- Favorite Single
- Favorite Song from a Movie
- Favorite Artist - Comedy
- Favorite Female Artist of the Year
- Favorite Male Artist of the Year
- Favorite Group of the Year
=Video Games=
- Favorite Video Game
- Favorite PlayStation Game
- Favorite PlayStation 2 Game
- Favorite Nintendo 64 Game
- Favorite Game Boy Game
- Favorite Dreamcast Game
Cancellation
In November 2001, after having run for seven consecutive years, Blockbuster announced they were canceling the awards following concerns after the September 11 attacks, stating: "Due to the uncertainty of the times, we can't predict consumer response to our show, nor audience behavior—especially media viewing habits—all of which are being affected by world events."{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/2001/11/22/blockbuster-cancels-awards-show/ |title=Blockbuster cancels awards show |last1=Susman |first1=Gary |date=November 22, 2001 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190711121948/https://ew.com/article/2001/11/22/blockbuster-cancels-awards-show/ |archive-date=July 11, 2019 |url-status=live}}{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/77644/blockbuster-cancels-awards-show |title=Blockbuster Cancels Awards Show |year=2001 |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180708124604/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/77644/blockbuster-cancels-awards-show |archive-date=July 8, 2018 |url-status=live}} Blockbuster stated their decision to cancel the awards was influenced by the fact that the 53rd Primetime Emmy Awards had to be rescheduled twice following security concerns after the September 11 attacks, and that when they did air, their ratings were 22% lower than the previous year.{{cite news |url=http://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com/issue/2001-11-24/article/8505?headline=Viewership-uncertainty-causes-Blockbuster-to-cancel-awards--The-Associated-Press |title=Viewership Uncertainty Causes Blockbuster to Cancel Awards |date=November 24, 2001 |newspaper=Berkeley Daily Planet |agency=Associated Press |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130628174227/http://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com/issue/2001-11-24/article/8505?headline=Viewership-uncertainty-causes-Blockbuster-to-cancel-awards--The-Associated-Press |archive-date=June 28, 2013 |url-status=live}}
Ratings
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Blockbuster}}
{{Musicawards}}
Category:1995 establishments in California
Category:2001 disestablishments in California
Category:Awards established in 1995
Category:Awards disestablished in 2001
Category:Impact of the September 11 attacks on television