Slime flies at Kids Choice, Michelle Obama honoured

The slime flew, singer Katy Perry blew — her nose — and first lady Michelle Obama picked up a 'Big Help' award from the youth of America at the Kids' Choice Awards on Saturday.

The awards are given by the Nickelodeon television network and voted on by young viewers and families who watch it. Each  year the programme is most notable for green "slime" that shoots into the air and rains down on audience members and Hollywood stars who this year included Will Smith and Tyra Banks.

But for 2010, Nickelodeon turned a more serious eye on the problem of childhood obesity and acknowledged the first lady's work on her 'Let's Move' programme that aims to reduce the number of overweight kids by getting them to exercise.

Michelle Obama, appearing via satellite and holding the Nickelodeon blimp trophy in her hands, encouraged children and young teenagers to exercise, eat smart and get an education.

"You guys have to make smart and healthy choices in your own lives that will give you the focus to do better in school and the energy to play all day long," said the first lady and mother of two girls, Sasha and Malia.

Sixteen-year-old pop sensation Justin Bieber performed his song 'Baby,' Rihanna sang a medley of her tunes and, as usual, thick slime got dumped on everyone from host Kevin James to Tina Fey and Steve Carell, who together received the "slimetime achievement award."

Katy Perry took a powerful shot of the green stuff in her face, was knocked to her feet, and spent the next minute blowing her nose to get the goo out.

Olympic speed skater Apolo Anton Ohno set a "world slime record" when he was shown being catapulted 50 yards across a field, through a goal post and into a vat of the green stuff.

Beyond the goo, there were awards to hand out, too, based on some 115 million votes from viewers and fans.

Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel was picked best movie. Miley Cyrus was voted favourite film actress for Hannah Montana: The Movie, and Taylor Lautner earned best movie actor for his role as a werewolf in The Twilight Saga: New Moon.

"I have to admit, I have always dreamt of winning one of these orange blimps, seriously," Lautner told the crowd of screaming young fans.

Nickelodeon's iCarly was named favourite TV show, while a pair of stars from the Disney Channel took the best TV actor and actress awards. Actor went to Dylan Sprouse in The Suite Life of Zack and Cody and actress to Selena Gomez for Wizards of Waverly Place.

Skateboarder Ryan Scheckler was picked favourite athlete.