The 34th Annual People’s Choice Awards aired on Tuesday on CBS against the Writers Guild of America strike. The award ceremony was rather unusual, as the stars sent their taped acceptance speeches upon receiving the statuettes. This is not a single case, as many other award shows have been altered by the writers’ protests.

However, after being forced to cancel the show, the producers thought a taped broadcast is better than nothing, so they decided to make a Tuesday night special on CBS, hosted by Queen Latifah, who told the viewers what they were in for: “I know this show’s a little different than last time. But we have what’s important – you, the people, and all your favorites all night long.”

Setting aside the unusual circumstances, it’s the people’s choice that counted on Tuesday night, and people chose Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End as Favorite Movie, as the previous two parts of the series were. Johnny Depp and Keira Knightley were also chosen Favorite Male/Female Movie star, while the Favorite Onscreen Match-Up award was given to Ocean’s Thirteen co-stars George Clooney and Brad Pitt.

Reese Witherspoon won the Female Movie Star Award, while Drew Barrymore was named Favorite Leading Lady. Joaquin Phoenix was chosen Favorite Leading Man and The Bourne Ultimatum leading star Matt Damon took home the title of Favorite Male Action Star, after his movie was declared Favorite Action Movie.

The ten million people who voted their favorite movies and stars were probably fed up with writers’ strike jokes and excuses by the end of the show, but there was one particular acceptance speech that was a lot different than the others: after losing his voice on a USO Tour, Robin Williams let his tour mates Kid Rock and Lewis Black do the speech for him, while he mimed his reactions.

The canceled award ceremony is not a singular case amid the two month Writers Guild of America strike against the major Hollywood studios. The WGA does not wish to collaborate to any award show and refuses to let the show producers hire any writer or actor that is in the union. How long will this last? No one can tell. Until then, the viewers will have to settle for taped acceptance speeches or news conferences.