7 Awkward Moments From the 2016 Oscars That We're Still Not Over

Stacey Dash, scrolls and music contributed to some of the Academy Award's strange scenes

By Francesca Bacardi Feb 29, 2016 7:38 PMTags
Chris Rock, 2016 Oscars, Academy AwardsKevin Winter/Getty Images

There's no doubt that Chris Rock rocked the 88th Annual Academy Awards. From start to finish, Rock addressed the #OscarsSoWhite controversy with poignancy while also going after it with hard humor.

But for every great moment there were ones that did not work at the Oscars.

Yes, Rock's monologue was hilarious and hit all the important points, but soon after he brought out Stacey Dash and the joke just crashed and burned. "It's hard to get a job," Rock began the bit. "But let me tell you some good news. The Academy has taken steps to fix this problem. That's why it's my honor to introduce the new director of our minority outreach program. Please welcome miss Stacey Dash."

Aside from a few awkward laughs, there was pretty much an all-encompassing cringe from the crowd. It only got worse when she announced, "I cannot wait to help my people out."

"Happy Black History Month!" she added, before giving a quick laugh and a "Thank you."

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

The whole joke was referencing Dash's controversial comments in which she said America should get rid of the BET Awards and Black History Month, but it didn't land, and Chrissy Teigen let everyone know it from her seat.

Here is our list of other awkward moments (in no particular order):

1. The thank-you chyron

The Academy introduced a scroll at the bottom of the screen with the names of people a winner would like to thank in the hopes of shortening up winners' speeches. But instead it looked like a breaking news ticker and took away from the show's classiness. Plus, it didn't even shorten the speeches, as everyone seemed to receive the musical cue to get off the stage (except Leonardo DiCaprio).

2. Music selection

We get the orchestra was trying to play classic movie hits, but the idea of hearing the Indiana Jones theme song to welcome Vice President Joe Biden made no sense at all.

ABC

3. The camera movements

Whether they were panning or zooming, the camera movements were sometimes dizzying. Take Eddie Redmayne presenting the Best Actress category—the camera just couldn't keep still and instead had to revolve around The Danish Girl star in order to see all the nominees in the background.

4. The animated segments

Disney-Pixar will forever be the masters of weaseling its way into our hearts through its characters, but sometimes enough is enough. We love a good cameo from Buzz Lightyear and Woody, but it just went on too long. The Minions also made far too many appearances, enough for us to say, "OK we get it. Just announce the winner."

MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images

5. Jacob Tremblay's presentation

Now this was awkward in the most adorable way possible. The 9-year-old Room star was too short for the microphone, so no one could hear him when he started to speak. Fortunately, Rock got ahold of some wooden platforms that Tremblay could stand on and present with ease. "I'm a good person!" Rock shouted as he ran off the stage.

6. Sarah Silverman's introduction of Best Song nominee (and winner) "Writing's on the Wall"

She somehow started out strong but then took a turn and started talking about James Bond's penis, or something like that. She made a joke that he wasn't a "grower or a shower."

Watch E!'s live 2016 Oscars red carpet coverage starting at 1:30p.m. ET/10:30a.m. PT on Sunday, February 28th