5 Times When The Academy Awards Faced The Unexpected!

This year’s Oscar ceremony is almost upon when it takes place this coming Sunday on February 26th. It may be fair to say that the nominees, especially for categories such as Best Picture, are hardly appetizing but it will be interesting to see what else they can conjure to make the show an event to remember alongside Jimmy Kimmel, who will be host. It will be the 89th show since it’s birth in 1929.

The Oscars have, for the most part, been a glorious occasion in which some of Hollywood’s elite have been rewarded for their hard work and dedication to their craft of acting and other aspects of filmmaking. But there have also been moments that have shocked, raised controversy and just been plain weird!

We are going to look at five of the most shocking and unexpected times that viewers have found appalling, strange and out and out cringe worthy!

Marlon Brando refusing his Oscar award for The Godfather

Then James Bond actor Roger Moore was left stirred (but not shaken, thankfully) when actor Marlon Brando’s name was read out as the winner for Best Actor for The Godfather. An obscure actress by the name of Sacheen Littlefeather was requested by Brando to address everybody on stage to explain why he could not accept what should have been one of the most prestigious moments in his career.

The reason? Brando accused Hollywood of their supposedly bad portrayals of American Indians in movies at the time. While one can now look back and think that his act was rather noble, it was certainly one of the most uncomfortable situations that the ceremony has ever had to undertake.

Marisa Tomei winning an Oscar for My Cousin Vinny

The 65th Academy Awards back in 1993 have still got many speculating 24 years later as to whether actress Marisa Tomei deserved her award for her performance in comedy film, My Cousin Vinny, even going as far as suggesting that there was a mistake! Jack Palance, who presented the award, has been accused of reading out the wrong winner. Tomei, herself, even made a statement in 1994 insisting that there was no mistake but that has not seemed to have cooled things down much.

Whatever the case may be, Marisa Tomei’s shock win is a prime example of the underdog rising to seize the moment!

The opening act for the 61st Academy Awards

There is pretty much only one thing that the 1989 ceremony is mostly remembered for. Obscure actress Eileen Bowman and Rob Lowe, who was trying to recover from a sex tape scandal, came together to perform an awful duet that was overly decorated with an elaborate stage set together with a ten minute song that made faces go red! Bowman did confess that she could not wait until it was all over!

Allan Carr, who produced such hit musicals as Grease, made something that was so corny that even those that were sitting front row have not have good words to say about it decades later. Carr’s career in Hollywood was effectively ruined as well as Bowman’s, who wanted to pursue success in America’s most famous neighbourhood! Instead, her naivety and lack of experience was taken advantage of, although Rob Lowe didn’t exactly do too bad afterward.

Nude streaker during 1974’s Oscar ceremony

David Niven showcased how witty he can be in the moment when he knew he had to come up with something clever after a nude streaker by the name of Robert Opel stormed the stage in the buff shortly after the names for Best Picture were read out to an unsuspecting audience.

Shortly after Opel had his few seconds of fame, Niven stated: “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?” Normal duty was resumed shortly afterward.

It is not known for sure what compelled Opel to perform such a dare, but he was known for streaking a number of times, some of which were to protest some of then ongoing happenings.

James Franco presenting the 83rd Academy Awards with Anne Hathaway

Was James Franco high from smoking too much marijuana before presenting in 2011? Who knows.

But he certainly looked just a little too chill with Anne Hathaway, which resulted in many uneasy moments caused by the lack of chemistry between them both. Hathaway, to her credit, looked more natural but Franco seemed as if he was struggling what to say over half the time.

He later stated that he felt trapped, although he also has said that he does not regret hosting. But one does not need to be a psychic to probably realise that James Franco will stick to just starring in movies in the future instead of addressing an audience.

About Age of the Nerd

Age of the nerd was created for the same reason most entertainment sites were started. A group of disgruntled journalists got together and decided our opinion was more valuable… In a day when it’s easier to get a position as a freelance writer or just create your own job, a small group of us got together and asked the obvious question: why not us? So after a heated discussion on ideas, focus and long-term goals, we decided to just go for it. What’s the worst that can happen?

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