This past Saturday, the Black Eyed Peas showed up at the NRJ Awards (the top music awards show in France), and won the award for best international group. Just one more step in the unending world-wide dominance of the Black Eyed Peas, right? Wrong! The group was actually given the award by mistake. The new winner was announced, to the sound of boos.
As the host of the show said, "It happens!" Indeed. Embarrassing mistakes at award shows do happen... and so, in honor of this occasion, we present you with a round-up of the Most Amazing Award Show Mistakes of All Time,after the jump.
Michael Jackson Accepts an Award Instead of Cake (2002 Video Music Awards)
In 2002, MTV's VMA ceremony was held on August 29th... which also happens to be the same day as Michael Jackson's birthday. To celebrate his B-Day, MTV planned an impromptu party. They had Britney Spears present him with a cake, and during her introductory speech, she called Michael "the artist of the millennium."
And that's when things started to get a little... weird. A confused MJ thought that he was being given an actual award for "artist of the millennium" (no such award exists), and began giving a speech of his own. Michael accepted the "award," and then went on to thank (in no particular order), God, his mother, James Brown... and magician David Blaine. A slightly startled audience went along with it, and gave him a standing ovation anyway.
Sigh. Oh MJ, we hardly knew you. And you hardly knew what you were saying.
Avril Lavigne Can't Say "David Bowie" (2003 Grammy Awards)
An eighteen-year-old Avril Lavigne mispronounced the name of one of the most famous rock-stars in the world at the nominations announcements of the '03 Grammys. Announcing the nominees for best male vocal performance, she pronounced the Thin White Duke's name as follows: "David B-OW-ie." Uh, no, Ms. Lavigne. It's said like this: "B-ough-ie." Pronounced "Owe," as in, you sort of owe him an apology.
When told of her mistake, Avril said this: "Oops! I knew that was going to happen..." Yeah. Hey, Avril, considering how hard it is to pronounce your own name (it's AV-roohl Luhv-EEN, for the record), maybe you could take a little more effort when reading the names of others. Just a thought...
Andy Williams to Stevie Wonder: "Can You See Us Now?!" (1976 Grammy Awards)
Sadly, the next awards show moment occurred before the existence of YouTube - otherwise, we'd have approximately one million video clips of it. And speaking of video problems, technical difficulties were rife at the 1976 Grammy awards. Singer Stevie Wonder was all set to perform a live show from Nigeria, but couldn't get connected to the main Grammys stage.
It was at this point that host Andy Williams grew frustrated, and shouted out the immortal words, "Stevie, can you see us now?!" Slight problem, though. Stevie Wonder is BLIND. Whoops.
Many years later, Ryan Seacrest would perform a version of the same mistake when he attempted to high-five a blind contestant on 'American Idol.' Although that's not from an awards show, we thought it worth mentioning... just because it remains mortifyingly awful...
Kristen Stewart Drops Her Award (2009 MTV Movie Awards)
If you're Kristen Stewart, star of "Twilight," you don't just have to worry about dating an abstinence glitter vampire, or about being surrounded by hordes of obsessed fans. No, you also have to worry about more basic things... like gravity.
Here, Kristen accepts a best actress award, then instantly drops it to the ground. Luckily, there's a bizarre popcorn-hatted creature in gold spandex to help her pick it up. And thank God for that.
Marisa Tomei Named Best Supporting Actress by "Mistake" (1993 Academy Awards)
This one isn't actually true... at least not as far as we call tell. Marisa Tomei is considered the biggest dark-horse in Oscars history, and when she won the award for best actress in 1993 (for 'My Cousin Vinny,' of all things), people were taken aback. (One reason for this was that she beat out acclaimed veteran actresses Joan Plowright and Vanessa Redgrave.)
After Marisa won the award, rumors circulated that presenter Jack Palance had been drunk, and had simply read out her name by mistake. However, there seems to be no truth to these rumors. (Although Jack Palance does seem a little confused, calling Judy Davis "Joan," for instance.) The Academy Awards insists that it has two certified accountants at either end of the awards stage, to prevent such a mistake from ever happening. For her part, Ms. Tomei has called the rumors of her getting an accidental award to be "extremely hurtful." And we have to admit, she's got a pretty good point there.
Elizabeth Taylor, Drunken(?) Awards Show Presenter (2001 Golden Globes)
We'll never really know if Elizabeth Taylor was drunk during this show or not. But it's Elizabeth Taylor... so draw your own conclusions. Here, she attempts to read the nominees for best picture during the 2001 Golden Globes. First, she opens the envelope containing the winner by mistake. Then, she receives shouted advice from the crowd. ("I'm new at this!" she says.) Finally, a flustered Dick Clark steps in to help her with the difficult task of reading names from a list. ...And the whole process is redeemed by Ms. Taylor's startled cry at the end: "Glaaaad-iator!!!"
(Note: the Golden Globes footage begins at the 6:15 mark of the video.)
Hellooo! i totally agree with xharharx29!! my parents say a lame "quote" but its says alot: ~even monkeys fall from trees~ dont get it? think about it some more!!! O_o
Yeah I agree with you xharharx29. It is NOT that serious the specialest okay?? Yes David is one of the most famous rock-stars in the world but anyone can make a mistake. Who's to say that she is familar with the fellow? Surprising but possible. Or she may know who he is but never heard his name pronounced and herself is the first person she verbally heard the name from.
Yes Tokio Hotel were the winners but they weren't boo they weren't even there!!! the fans were booing because the dude did not say who the real winner was!!! And Tokio Hotel deserved that award!!!
This article about the 2010 NRJ Awards is misleading and incorrect. Tokio Hotel - the real winners of the award were not even present. Further, the boos were for the announcer that made the glaring error - - not for the band. Further, why not name the real winners in your coverage, Tokio Hotel!
Regarding Elizabeth Taylor -- It would be nice if all the facts about a person were considered. Dame Taylor has needed prescription pain killers for her numerous back issues. Yes, she has drunk with the best of 'em, too, but let's cover all the possible bases. She's serious about not reading well. And stage fright applies to stars, too.
re avril mispronouncing David Bowie's name: In Great Britain, it is pronounced BOW-ee, like "bow-wow", which is also how Mr. Bowie himself pronounces it, not BO-wee like Bo Derek. Avril is from Canada which was a province of Great Britain so she's within her rights to pronounce it either way. Then there's Jim Bowie who died at the Alamo and for whom the knife is named. That's pronounced BOO-ee.
I seem to remember years ago watching Diana Ross saying "There must be some mistake" when presenting an award for either best artist or best song of the year (won by Peter Frampton/Baby I love your way)
Ive always wondered about that Marisa Tomei award, even before Id heard of this "urban legend" about it. Watch the film again, it's mildly funny (emphasis on MILDLY) but extremely lightweight, and I dont just wonder why she "won" it, I wonder why she was even in the list of nominees in the first place. Then again, these are the same people that gave "Best Director" to two first time actor-turn-directors (Robert Redford, Kevin Costner) for their pedestrian films, over one of the greatest directors of all time (Martin Scorsese) for two of his all time greatest films. Or how about Benigni winning "Best Actor" for the vastly overrated "Life is Beautiful" over the stunningly perfect performance by Edward Norton in "American History X". I only wish those had been a "mistake", it would explain everything.
Oh, Specialest hun, I soooooo agree with you about the Black Eyed Peas...God they suck to high heavens! I am so sick and tired of hearing their lame songs all over the airways. They even managed to play New Year's Eve on one of the TV stations ugh. While we're on the subject, Avril Lavigne blows chunks too. Had some nerve showing up on American Idol as one of the judges in that hideous get up she wore. What a joke! What a skank!
haha couldnt've happened to a crappier group of phony musicians. They SUCK!!!! and whats the deal with them opening the football season up?? what a smack in the face to nfl fans, no men listen to that crap. theyre almost as annoying as the progressive lady. please go away black eye peas and bring the progressive lady with you....
I think it was truly a mistake to make Michael Jackson the artist of the millinium. He could never step ahead of Elvis Presley who changed music forever. He brought music up many paces ahead of Frank Sinatra and Andy Williams and other singers of that day. Elvis changed music forever and paved the way for the Beatles and Michael Jackson.
Agreed. This article was very misleading and honestly, quite offensive to Tokio Hotel fans. It was also a very poor reflection on the author of this article. Today's lesson: Don't mess up/with the facts, or you're just going to end up with a bunch of pissed off fans.
What a silly mommy! Katie Holmes takes Suri into the water in her clothes as the two spend the afternoon at the beach in Miami. More of Today's Hottest Photos
Mad Men: When Is a Big Reveal Not So Revealing?
Conservatives Hate Lena Dunham's Tweet About Peeing
This past Saturday, the Black Eyed Peas showed up at the NRJ Awards (the top music awards show in France), and won the award for best international group. Just one more step in the unending world-wide dominance of the Black Eyed Peas, right? Wrong! The group was actually given the award by mistake. The new winner was announced, to the sound of boos.
In 2002, MTV's VMA ceremony was held on August 29th... which also happens to be the same day as Michael Jackson's birthday. To celebrate his B-Day, 
An eighteen-year-old Avril Lavigne 
Sadly, the next awards show moment occurred before the existence of YouTube - otherwise, we'd have approximately one million video clips of it. And speaking of video problems, technical difficulties were rife at the 1976 Grammy awards. Singer Stevie Wonder was all set to perform a live show from Nigeria, but couldn't get connected to the main Grammys stage.
This one isn't actually true... at least not as far as we call tell. Marisa Tomei is considered the biggest dark-horse in Oscars history, and when she won the award for best actress in 1993 (for 'My Cousin Vinny,' of all things), people were taken aback. (One reason for this was that she beat out acclaimed veteran actresses Joan Plowright and Vanessa Redgrave.)
Add a comment
Hellooo! i totally agree with xharharx29!! my parents say a lame "quote" but its says alot: ~even monkeys fall from trees~ dont get it? think about it some more!!! O_o
Yeah I agree with you xharharx29. It is NOT that serious the specialest okay?? Yes David is one of the most famous rock-stars in the world but anyone can make a mistake. Who's to say that she is familar with the fellow? Surprising but possible. Or she may know who he is but never heard his name pronounced and herself is the first person she verbally heard the name from.
Yes Tokio Hotel were the winners but they weren't boo they weren't even there!!! the fans were booing because the dude did not say who the real winner was!!!
And Tokio Hotel deserved that award!!!
Reply
This article about the 2010 NRJ Awards is misleading and incorrect. Tokio Hotel - the real winners of the award were not even present. Further, the boos were for the announcer that made the glaring error - - not for the band. Further, why not name the real winners in your coverage, Tokio Hotel!
Reply
Regarding Elizabeth Taylor -- It would be nice if all the facts about a person were considered. Dame Taylor has needed prescription pain killers for her numerous back issues. Yes, she has drunk with the best of 'em, too, but let's cover all the possible bases. She's serious about not reading well. And stage fright applies to stars, too.
Reply
re avril mispronouncing David Bowie's name: In Great Britain, it is pronounced BOW-ee, like "bow-wow", which is also how Mr. Bowie himself pronounces it, not BO-wee like Bo Derek. Avril is from Canada which was a province of Great Britain so she's within her rights to pronounce it either way. Then there's Jim Bowie who died at the Alamo and for whom the knife is named. That's pronounced BOO-ee.
Reply
I seem to remember years ago watching Diana Ross saying "There must be some mistake" when presenting an award for either best artist or best song of the year (won by Peter Frampton/Baby I love your way)
Reply
Ive always wondered about that Marisa Tomei award, even before Id heard of this "urban legend" about it. Watch the film again, it's mildly funny (emphasis on MILDLY) but extremely lightweight, and I dont just wonder why she "won" it, I wonder why she was even in the list of nominees in the first place. Then again, these are the same people that gave "Best Director" to two first time actor-turn-directors (Robert Redford, Kevin Costner) for their pedestrian films, over one of the greatest directors of all time (Martin Scorsese) for two of his all time greatest films. Or how about Benigni winning "Best Actor" for the vastly overrated "Life is Beautiful" over the stunningly perfect performance by Edward Norton in "American History X". I only wish those had been a "mistake", it would explain everything.
Reply
I mean c'mon people,who cares???
Reply
If you are going to make a big deal out of some inconsequential froggie award, the least you could do is tell us who DID win it!
Reply
Avril Lavigne can't say "Jones"?
Reply
OMG! They didn't even say that Tokio Hotel won! Lame guys.
Congrats Tokio Hotel, even though you weren't mentioned.
Reply
There is no way that was 2001 with Elizabeth Taylor.
Reply
People make mistakes! Get over it!
Reply
Oh, Specialest hun, I soooooo agree with you about the Black Eyed Peas...God they suck to high heavens! I am so sick and tired of hearing their lame songs all over the airways. They even managed to play New Year's Eve on one of the TV stations ugh. While we're on the subject, Avril Lavigne blows chunks too. Had some nerve showing up on American Idol as one of the judges in that hideous get up she wore. What a joke! What a skank!
Reply
haha couldnt've happened to a crappier group of phony musicians. They SUCK!!!! and whats the deal with them opening the football season up?? what a smack in the face to nfl fans, no men listen to that crap. theyre almost as annoying as the progressive lady. please go away black eye peas and bring the progressive lady with you....
Reply
The audience actually seemed like a fair mix of cheers and boos. So they definatley weren't booing the winners, as this article makes it seem.
Reply
I think it was truly a mistake to make Michael Jackson the artist of the millinium. He could never step ahead of Elvis Presley who changed music forever. He brought music up many paces ahead of Frank Sinatra and Andy Williams and other singers of that day. Elvis changed music forever and paved the way for the Beatles and Michael Jackson.
Reply
Avril will shoo david booie what she's all aboot.
Reply
Agreed. This article was very misleading and honestly, quite
offensive to Tokio Hotel fans. It was also a very poor reflection on
the author of this article. Today's lesson: Don't mess up/with the
facts, or you're just going to end up with a bunch of pissed off
fans.
Reply