The Academy Awards have seen their fair share of unforgettable moments, both inspiring and awkward. A new ranking highlights the most cringe-worthy incidents that have occurred during the prestigious ceremony.
Memorable Awkward Moments
Throughout its history, the Oscars have provided audiences with a mix of heartfelt tributes and uncomfortable gaffes. Here are some of the most notable:
- Dick Poop: During the 2014 nominations, Academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs mistakenly referred to cinematographer Dick Pope as „Dick Poop,“ creating a memorable slip of the tongue.
- The 1974 Streaker: David Niven was interrupted by a naked protestor, Robert Opel, while presenting an award, leading to an iconic moment in Oscar history.
- Chadwick Boseman’s Posthumous Nomination: The Academy restructured the ceremony to end with the Best Actor award, only for Boseman to lose to Anthony Hopkins, who was absent from the event.
- Michael Moore’s Controversial Speech: After winning for „Bowling for Columbine,“ Moore made political remarks that drew mixed reactions from the audience.
- Jack Palance’s Push-Ups: At 73, Palance surprised everyone by performing one-armed push-ups during his acceptance speech.
- Adele Dazeem: John Travolta’s infamous mispronunciation of Idina Menzel’s name became a running joke, only to be followed by Menzel’s own playful jab at him the next year.
- Elia Kazan’s Lifetime Achievement Award: Kazan’s controversial past led to a divided audience, with some giving a standing ovation and others refusing to applaud.
- Jan Chapman Mistakenly Honored: The Academy mistakenly included living producer Jan Chapman in the in memoriam segment, leading to public embarrassment.
- Seth MacFarlane’s „We Saw Your Boobs“ Song: The opening number drew criticism for its crude humor, particularly towards female nominees.
- The Snow White Musical Number: A lengthy and awkward performance featuring Snow White and Rob Lowe is often cited as one of the worst moments in Oscar history.
- Frank Capra’s Confusion: In 1934, a mix-up led to Capra mistakenly believing he had won Best Director, only to find out it was Frank Lloyd.
- Adrien Brody’s Kiss: After winning for „The Pianist,“ Brody’s uninvited kiss on Halle Berry raised eyebrows regarding consent.
- Will Smith’s Infamous Slap: The unexpected altercation between Smith and Chris Rock during the 2022 ceremony shocked viewers and overshadowed the event.
- Sacheen Littlefeather’s Speech: Littlefeather’s acceptance on Brando’s behalf sparked a mixed reaction, highlighting tensions surrounding Native American representation.
- La La Land’s Best Picture Mix-Up: The 2017 ceremony ended in chaos when „La La Land“ was mistakenly announced as the Best Picture winner before being corrected to „Moonlight.“
These moments reflect the unpredictable nature of live television and the Academy’s ability to create both memorable and cringe-worthy experiences for viewers.
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