Whether they are staged or not, some unexpected moments at the annual televised ceremony often steal the spotlight and leave a lasting impression on viewers.
- Sep 15, 2024
AceShowbiz - The Emmy Awards are the most prestigious TV honors in the U.S., and perhaps globally. Thus, it's no surprise that the ceremony is one of the most anticipated TV events each year.
While the winner announcements are the main highlight, unexpected moments often steal the spotlight. Whether they are staged or not, these incidents leave a lasting impression on viewers.
With the 76th annual Primetime Emmy Awards just around the corner, people may be in for some jaw-dropping moments. In the meantime, let's take a look back at some of the Most Shocking Primetime Emmy Moments Over the Years.
1. Bryan Cranston's Kiss on Julia Louis-Dreyfus in 2021
Bryan Cranston and Julia Louis-Dreyfus may be longtime friends, but they were not close enough to be smooching in public, unless it's for their former TV series "Seinfeld". The "Breaking Bad" alum, however, couldn't resist the temptation to revisit their onscreen kiss when the actress accepted her award for best lead actress in a comedy for her role on "Veep". The actor jumped in front of her, grabbed her and passionately kissed her onstage, leaving her shocked.
While it might seem like an unwanted advance, their earlier banter might have set up the steamy bit. When they presented an award for best lead actor in a comedy together, Louis-Dreyfus joked that Cranston oddly looked similar to an actor she'd worked with on "Seinfeld", and Cranston reminded her that he was that actor.
2. Sexist Bit Involving Sofia Vergara in 2014
An eye candy may be a title aptly attributed to Sofia Vergara for her beauty and sex appeal. Seemingly making use of such qualities in her, she was asked to stand on a revolving platform after introducing then president of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, Bruce Rosenblum, during the 66th Annual Primetime Emmys in 2014.
Sofia's awkward appearance was intended to reflect Rosenblum's speech about giving "the viewers something compelling to look at." However, many criticized the skit as sexist and accusing it of promoting objectification. Despite the backlash, the "Modern Family" alum defended the bit, saying, "Somebody can be hot and also be funny and make fun of herself."
3. Tom Bergeron and Heidi Klum's Disastrous Impromptu Skit in 2008
In 2008, the Emmys were hosted by a panel of reality TV stars, including Heidi Klum, Tom Bergeron, Howie Mandel, Jeff Probst and Ryan Seacrest, who were all nominated for an Emmy in the newest category at the time, best reality host. During an unrehearsed skit, the model pretended to swoon, falling into co-host Bergeron's arms.
However, Bergeron accidentally dropped Klum, who fell to the floor, causing her a nasty bruise that the pair later showed off backstage. Probst ended up taking home the Emmy, while Klum ended up with a bruised thigh and ego.
4. Lucille Ball Forgot Her Glasses in 1975
No one can fight aging, not even a celebrity. Lucille Ball made fun of her sign of aging at the 27th Annual Primetime Emmys in 1975. As she presented the award for outstanding comedy series, she paused and stared at the envelope, seemingly confused. She looked at the audience and told them she forgot her glasses, which made everyone giggle.
The comedienne then tossed the envelope, claiming she'd grabbed the wrong one, only to realize all the award envelopes were at the podium. Eventually, using an empty wine and glass and a borrowed pair of spectacles which she wore upside down, she announced the winner, "The Mary Tyler Moore Show".
5. Kirstie Alley's NSFW Speech in 1991
A live televised event is prone to hiccups and Kirstie Alley contributed to one of them at the Primetime Emmys in 1991. As she accepted her trophy for Best Actress for a Comedy for her role on "Cheers", the late actress did not hold back from expressing her love for her then-husband Parker Stevenson.
Alley, who died at 71 in 2022, thanked Stevenson for being "the man who has given me the big one for the last eight years." Futher making it awkward, Macaulay Culkin, who was only 11 years old at the time, had remained onstage when the actress delivered the NSFW remark.
6. Groucho Marx Grabbed Rosemary LaPlanche in 1951
Groucho Marx not only hosted the Emmys in 1955, but also won an Emmy for Most Outstanding Personality. True to this title, he left everyone confused as he grabbed former Miss America Rosemary LaPlanche instead of his trophy and carried her off of the stage.
When later asked the reason why he had grabbed LaPlanche, Marx quipped that he mistakenly thought the beauty pageant contestant was the Emmy. There's no word on whether LaPlanche got a heads-up prior to Marx's stint.
7. Andy Samberg Shared His HBO NOW Password in 2015
Andy Samberg apparently felt extra generous at the 67th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards. When hosting the ceremony in 2015, he shared his HBO NOW username and password in response to HBO CEO Richard Plepler stating that he didn't care if subscribers shared their login credentials with friends and family.
While some might have thought the comedian was only joking, fans soon realized that the username and password were legit. HBO tweeted in response, "Lucky for you, @AndySamberg is a very generous #Emmys host." However, the password only worked for a day.
8. Patty Duke's Incoherent Speech in 1970
While most nominees would come to award ceremonies prepared, Patty Duke apparently did not make her acceptance speech in advance. When she won an Emmy for "My Sweet Charlie" in 1970, she stood silently for an uncomfortably long time before mumbling a thank you to someone named Damien Evans. She then spotted her mom in the crowd and told her "happy birthday" before pausing once again.
Duke then admitted that her "acceptance speech is still in the code room being deciphered." Later after the show, the "Valley of the Dolls" actress described the moment as a "nationally televised nightmare."
9. Alan Alda's Cartwheel in 1979
Alan Alda had a unique and sporty way to celebrate his win for outstanding writing for a comedy series for his work on "M*A*S*H" at the 31st Annual Primetime Emmys. He was so ecstatic to win his first award for writing, something he'd dreamed of since he was a child.
Not being able to contain his happiness, the actor incorporated gymnastics into his acceptance speech. As he approached the stage, he did an impromptu cartwheel in front of the entire audience, much to everyone's surprise.
10. Betty Thomas Interrupted by an Impostor in 1985
If Oscars once had a streaker leave his footprints in the show's history , the Emmy Awards was once crashed by an impostor. In 1985, Betty Thomas was announced as the winner of the best supporting actress in a drama series prize. As she made her way to the stage to accept the award, she was shocked to find someone else had taken her statue and was standing at the podium.
The man named Barry Breman (later dubbed The Great Imposter) told the audience that Thomas couldn't attend the ceremony, so he was accepting the award on her behalf. Realizing something was wrong, producers went to commercial before resuming with Thomas standing at the podium. Joking about the bit, she said, "Well, it is definitely hard to follow an act like that."
11. Joan Rivers and Eddie Murphy's Hosting Gig in 1983
It was a hit or miss when Joan Rivers and Eddie Murphy were tapped to co-host the 35th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards in 1983. While the unlikely pair had no issue working together, it was their jokes that left people's jaws drop.
The duo shocked everyone with their not-safe-for-TV routine, delivering a joke about "a black, a Jew, two women, and a cripple" that many deemed inappropriate. The broadcast was also full of profanity, courtesy of Rivers. While they kept audiences entertained, neither of them was ever asked to host the show again.
12. Helen Mirren's Profanity-Laden Speech in 2006
Helen Mirren broke people's expectation of herself at the Primetime Emmys in 2006. As she accepted an award for Best Actress in a Miniseries at the 58th annual ceremony, she let her potty mouth loose.
After reaching the stage to accept her statue, Mirren joked that it was "a great triumph not falling a** over t*** as I came up those stairs." Her British accent was apparently so thick that the censors didn't pick up on her cursing, which made it through the broadcast.
