One of the best things about awards season is the live ceremonies and the thrill that anything could happen in real time (is this what people who like sports get to experience every week?!). Sometimes, things really don’t go according to plan. Here are some of the biggest awards show controversies that happened right before our very eyes…
Apparently, presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway had been handed the wrong envelope backstage, and La La Land producer Josh Horowitz had to cut off his team’s acceptance speeches to announce the mistake and call the Moonlight team on to the stage. “This is not a joke, Moonlight has won Best Picture,” he said, as everyone looked on with a mix of shock and mortification.
Kanye said, “Yo, Taylor, I’m really happy for you, I’mma let you finish, but Beyoncé had one of the best videos of all time!” A shocked Beyoncé in the audience could be seen saying, “Oh, Kanye,” in response.
3.
During the 2022 Oscars broadcast, Chris Rock made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s bald head (she has alopecia) and Will Smith rushed onstage and slapped him.
“Wow. Will Smith just smacked the shit out of me,” Chris said, as the crowd appeared unsure whether it was a skit. Will confirmed he was serious when he returned to his seat and yelled, “Keep my wife’s name out your fucking mouth.”
4.
At the 1973 Academy Awards, Marlon Brando won Best Actor for The Godfather but boycotted the ceremony, sending Indigenous actor and activist Sacheen Littlefeather in his place to refuse the trophy onstage in protest of the poor treatment of Native Americans in the film industry.
The audience responded with a mix of applause and boos, and Sacheen later said John Wayne had to be restrained from storming the stage.
5.
During the 1974 Academy Awards, a streaker ran across the stage and threw up a peace sign while David Niven was introducing Elizabeth Taylor, who was going to announce Best Picture. After a moment of shock, David recovered and said, “Well, ladies and gentlemen, that was almost bound to happen.” He added, “But isn’t it fascinating to think that probably the only laugh that man will ever get in his life is by stripping off and showing his shortcomings?”
David then finished introducing Elizabeth, who laughed and said, “That’s a pretty hard act to follow.” The streaker turned out to be artist and gay rights activist Robert Opel, who later said, “It just occurred to me that it might be an educative thing to do.”
6.
At the 1998 Grammy Awards, Bob Dylan was performing “Love Sick” when a man who was meant to be a background dancer removed his shirt and took center stage alongside Bob, dancing erratically with the words “SOY BOMB” written across his chest.
Bob appeared confused and uncomfortable but kept on performing while the man, who turned out to be comedian and artist Michael Portnoy, was eventually escorted off the stage. He later said, “I was very surprised I got to dance for so long! But no one filming the event had any clue that it wasn’t part of the act.”
7.
At the same Grammys in 1998, Wu-Tang Clan member Ol’ Dirty Bastard jumped onstage and grabbed the mic as Shawn Colvin and John Leventhal were about to accept their award for Song of the Year for “Sunny Came Home.”
ODB’s beef wasn’t even with them — it was over an award presented earlier in the night, Best Rap Album, which Wu-Tang lost to Sean Combs, then known as Puff Daddy. “Wu-Tang is for the children. … Wu-Tang is the best,” ODB said.
8.
Halle Berry presented Adrien Brody with Best Actor at the 2003 Academy Awards, and when he reached her onstage, he grabbed her and kissed her without her consent.
Halle somewhat played along, but later revealed she was thinking, “What the fuck is happening?”
9.
At the 1993 Academy Awards, Richard Gere, Susan Sarandon, and Tim Robbins all used their time as presenters to address causes they cared about — Richard spoke out against human rights abuses in China, while Susan and Tim called for the American government to allow HIV-positive Haitians into the United States.
10.
In 2004, Evanescence beat 50 Cent, amongst others, to win Best New Artist at the Grammy Awards — and 50 Cent went up onstage and walked through the band as they were accepting the award, apparently in protest.
“Thanks, 50,” Evanescence lead singer Amy Lee said jokingly after a moment of confusion.
11.
At the 2014 Oscars, John Travolta introduced Idina Menzel, who was performing “Let It Go” from Frozen, by mispronouncing her name as “Adele Dazeem,” in a moment that instantly became a meme.
Idina later said she was thinking, “What the hell did he just say? Oh no. … this was my big opportunity.”
12.
Betty Thomas won the Outstanding Supporting Actress award at the 1985 Emmys for Hill Street Blues, but as she was making her way up to the stage, a man jumped up and accepted the award on her behalf.
Amidst the confusion, the broadcast cut to commercial break, and when the show returned, Betty was able to accept her award. The man was later revealed to be Barry Bremen, a serial “imposter,” who was arrested that night.
13.
Oasis performed “Champagne Supernova” at the 1996 MTV Awards, but lead singer Liam Gallagher, apparently in the midst of one of many fights with his brother/guitarist Noel Gallagher, went off script.
He changed the lyrics of the chorus to “a champagne supernova up your bum,” and finished the song by spitting on the stage.
14.
During the 2000 BRIT Awards, Ronnie Wood and Thora Birch were presenting the award for Best Soundtrack to Notting Hill when a seemingly drunken Brandon Block, a DJ, appeared onstage and yelled into the microphone. As he was being dragged offstage, Ronnie jokingly said, “Get off stage, you cunt,” leading Brandon to charge back at him.
Ronnie defensively splashed his drink in Brandon’s face. “What did you call me?” Brandon demanded into the microphone, to which Ronnie responded, “The nicest guy I’ve ever met.” Brandon said, “Thank you very much, you old bastard,” before being dragged offstage once again as Ronnie told him to “fuck off.”
15.
At the 2012 BRIT Awards, Adele won Album of the Year but had barely begun her acceptance speech when she was cut off by host James Corden because the show was apparently going overtime.
“Goodbye and I’ll see you next time ’round,” Adele said, sticking up her middle finger.
What unplanned awards show moments stand out to you? Share your most memorable live TV moments in the comments or the anonymous form below!
