Kicking off the 2016 season, the 42nd People’s Choice Awards are scheduled for Jan. 6, and Jane Lynch is doing hosting duties. But what sets this awards ceremony apart from others is how the nominees are developed.
By this point, you know the finalists come from the public vote – not a group of seasoned panelists or critics. For most of the award show’s existence, nominations came from the Gallup polls. By 2005, the system changed to online voting.
Yet, no matter how it’s done, the People’s Choice Awards don’t necessarily reflect what’s popular or on top of the charts. For instance, something like Jurassic World or Empire getting recognition makes sense: Plenty of viewers tune in week after week or make the trek to the theater.
On the other hand, many are left scratching their heads, wondering how Hilary Duff or even Johnny Depp made it into the list of nominations. If few people saw your show, went to your movies, or bought your album, how does this inclusion reflect the public’s tastes?
So, on that note, we list some of the most out-there nominations for 2015: