GECs
Oprah voted America’s top favourite TV personality for fourth consecutive year
MUMBAI: For the fourth consecutive year, Oprah Winfrey captures the number-one position as America’s top favourite television personality. The survey was conducted by Harris Interactive.
In the 12 years that Harris Interactive has conducted this survey, Oprah has always been one of the top-three favourites. In fact, this is the sixth time she has been number one; in addition to this year, she topped the list in 1998, 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2004.
Jon Stewart continues his rise to the top as he and David Letterman swap places this year; Stewart comes in at number two, while Letterman drops one spot to number three. Jay Leno, who consistently beat Letterman in the ratings game, has tied for number four spot with Fox News talk show host Bill O’Reilly, who was number eight last year. Ellen DeGeneres moves up one spot from number seven last year to number six this year.
These are the results of a nationwide Harris Poll of 960 US adults surveyed online between 8 to14 December, 2005 by Harris Interactive.
There are four new TV personalities who made it into the top-10 list this year, two for the first time and two from years past:
Conan O’Brien jumps onto the list for the first time at number seven, while George Lopez debuts at number nine.
Jerry Seinfeld makes a return to the list this year at number eight. He was last on the list in 2000.
Another sitcom star, Tim Allen, makes a return to the list. He last appeared in 1999 at number seven; this year he returns at number 10.
The four people who dropped off the list this year are Ray Romano (was number four last year), Bill Cosby (was number six), Dr. Phil McGraw (was tied for number nine) and Regis Philbin (was tied for number nine).
While Oprah Winfrey tops with women and adults aged 65 and over, David Letterman is No. 1 for men. Among adults aged 18 to 24, who are an important demographic to advertisers, Conan O’Brien is the most popular. Not surprisingly, Bill O’Reilly is tops among conservatives, while liberals choose Jon Stewart as their favourite.
GECs
Asianet Television Awards 2026 celebrates women power in Malayalam TV
“She is the Colour” theme honours icons as ceremony airs on March 14 and 15 at 7 PM.
MUMBAI: If television lights up living rooms, this year Asianet decided to let women provide the colour. The Asianet Television Awards 2026 turned the spotlight firmly on women empowerment with the theme “She is the Colour”, celebrating the strength, resilience and achievements of women who continue to shape society and the Malayalam entertainment industry.
The ceremony honoured several distinguished personalities whose journeys have left a lasting cultural imprint. Among them was legendary playback singer Vimala Varma, widely recognised as the first Malayalam playback singer. The evening also paid tribute to Padma Shri awardees Devaki Amma and Vimala Menon for their exceptional contributions in their respective fields.
Leading women from the Malayalam film industry were also recognised during the event, including actor Shweta Menon, who currently serves as president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists, and National Award winning actor Surabhi Lakshmi.
The awards ceremony brought together a glittering lineup of actors and industry figures, including Jayasurya, Vijay Babu, Asha Sarath, Lena, Esther Anil, Anumol, Akhila Bhargavan, Sarayu Mohan, Prajod Kalabhavan, Gayathri Suresh, Sabumon Abdusamad, Swasika, Tini Tom, Sijoy Varghese, Kailash, Veena Nandakumar, Sabareesh Varma, Ansiba Hassan and Dinesh Prabhakar. Kishan Kumar, executive vice president Malayalam at JioStar, was also present at the event.
Beyond individual recognitions, the awards celebrated excellence across Malayalam television, acknowledging artists and technicians whose work continues to drive the industry forward.
The evening also offered plenty of spectacle, with elaborate dance performances, stunt acts and comedy skits performed by popular television and film personalities, turning the ceremony into a full fledged entertainment showcase.
Viewers will get to watch the celebrations when the Asianet Television Awards 2026 air on Asianet on March 14 and 15, Saturday and Sunday, from 7 pm onwards, bringing the star studded tribute to homes across Kerala and beyond.
