When Oscars flubs happen: Five cringe-worthy, unforgettable moments
Sure the Oscars are Hollywood’s biggest night. We tune in to watch the spectacle, glitz and glamour.
But we also love it when things go terribly wrong.
Here, then, are five famous Oscar flubs through the years. What could possibly go wrong this year? Lots, friends. Lots. Take a look at the past:
‘LA LA LAND’ NAMED AS BEST PICTURE
Perhaps the most famous recent Oscar flub was in 2017, when Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty presented the best picture Oscar. Beatty opened the envelope and seemed genuinely flummoxed before Dunaway snatched the envelope from him and proclaimed “La La Land” as the winning best picture.
Except it wasn’t.
“Guys, guys, I’m sorry. No. There’s a mistake. This is not a joke,” “La La Land” producer Jordan Horowitz said. “’Moonlight’ has won best picture,” holding up the correct card naming the winner.
There were audible gasps from the audience and chaos and confusion ensued.
A PricewaterhouseCoopers accountant who had apparently been posting Twitter selfies with stars backstage was later found to be responsible for incorrectly handing Beatty and Dunaway the wrong envelope. Oops!
PricewaterhouseCoopers was surprisingly not fired from handling the awards’ tabulations or handing out of envelopes, but it did ban its employees from posting anything on social media during the ceremony. (Insert sad face emoji.)
THE ONE AND ONLY ADELE DAZEEM
John Travolta had the job of introducing Broadway sensation Idina Menzel to perform the Oscar-nominated song “Let it Go” from Disney’s “Frozen.” Probably her most iconic song.
But to quote his song “Greased Lightnin’” from the musical “Grease,” he probably had chills and they were probably multiplying when he introduced Menzel as “the one and only Adele Dazeem.”
Huh? Said the Internet.
It was made only more awkward when the duo presented an award at the Oscars together the following year and he kept touching and holding her face. Eww.
Menzel got her revenge, though, by introducing Travolta as “Glom Gazingo.” And suddenly a meme was born.
THE STREAKER
It was the 1970s, an era of free love, disco and naked people. Let the sun shine in, indeed. But not too much.
The 1974 Oscars telecast had actor David Niven introducing Elizabeth Taylor — but not before an artist named Robert Opel went streaking naked across the stage while raising his fingers in a “peace” sign.
Niven, of course, was surprised but improvised comically, saying “Isn’t it fascinating to think that, probably, the only laugh that man will ever get in life is by stripping off and showing his shortcomings?”
JENNIFER LAWRENCE TRIPS ON THE STAIRS
It was 2013, and in a tight race for lead actress, Jennifer Lawrence emerged as the winner for her feisty performance in “Silver Linings Playbook.”
But silver linings can come with a price.
As Lawrence made her way to accept her award, she stepped on her billowing Christian Dior gown and fell on the stairs. Not her most graceful moment, certainly. But she picked herself up, resumed her composure and laughed about it.
After she received a standing ovation, Lawrence said, “You’re only standing up because I fell on the stairs. I feel so embarrassed.”
But it only made her more endearing. Silver lining, for sure.
AND THE NOMINEES AREN’T...
Renowned actor Laurence Olivier was presenting the 1985 Oscar for best picture when he failed to read the nominees and instead went to reading the winner right off the bat, which was “Amadeus.”
Who needs a build-up anyway? Certainly not in the movies.
This story was originally published March 27, 2022 at 2:07 AM with the headline "When Oscars flubs happen: Five cringe-worthy, unforgettable moments."