"High School Musical 2" rules Teen Choice awards

LOS ANGELES, Aug 27 (Reuters) Hollywood's young stars turned out to shine at the Teen Choice awards with television sensation ''High School Musical 2'' winning a top honor for best TV movie.

The Disney musical also won a special award for its recent smash debut on TV in front of an estimated 17 million viewers, and star Zac Efron was given the coveted title, ''hottie.'' '''High School Musical' started two years ago' and the only reason we're up here today is because of you guys,'' Efron said above the screams of girls in the packed audience.

The Teen Choice Awards annually are handed out to many of Hollywood's up-and-coming stars, and they help gauge popularity among younger fans whom TV networks and movie studios target.

The nominees compete in a range of categories from the serious, such as best comedy or breakout actress, to the just plain funny, like best liplock and hissy fit. Winners are given a surfboard instead of a trophy or statuette.

The awards show, which aired in the United States last night on the Fox broadcast network, was co-hosted by actress-singer Hilary Duff, 19, and actor-comedian Nick Cannon, 26.

Duff, who shot to stardom in 2001 in the hit TV series ''Lizzy McGuire,'' is the only person who has hosted the show twice in it's nine-year history.

The show featured songs from Kelly Clarkson, Fergie, Shop Boyz and Avril Lavigne. The only slip-up in the live TV broadcast was when Dane Cook, who was named best comedian, uttered an expletive onstage.

Fergie performed ''Big Girls Don't Cry'' and was honored as this year's Teen Choice female artist of the year.

''I have to say this award in particular means so much to me,'' said Fergie, clutching her surfboard. ''Because this award isn't paid for ... it's picked by you.'' Other winners included Ryan Seacrest for best hissy fit, in the comedy movie ''Knocked Up,'' and Steve Carell for choice scream, in the film ''Evan Almighty.'' Carell also was named best TV actor in a comedy for ''The Office.'' Finally, Miley Cyrus won two awards for summer artist and for best TV actress in a comedy with ''Hannah Montana.'' That show also was named best comedy TV program.

REUTERS RN RK0915