High Fidelity
Top-five controversial award show moments
Josh Learn
Issue date: 12/1/09 Section: Arts & Entertainment
Who saw this one coming? That question could be a reference to the topic on this week's High Fidelity (I have lost my imagination and rely on pop culture events to occur to cultivate a top-five list), or Adam Lambert's performance at the American Music Awards. To recap his performance, the American Idol finalist made out with his keyboardist, simulated oral sex with a dancer, and grabbed the crotch of another performer. Although this sounds like a typical evening at my house, the fact that the individuals he groped were also males made this event quite controversial. I personally feel this performance was genius, as Lambert received more media attention than he ever would have as purely an American Idol.
So where does this controversy rank? As it was a fairly recent event, it is very tough to gage. However, I have tried to determine the most controversial moments during award shows through a number of criterions. The first is the amount of complaints it received by the various governing bodies. The next set of measures was the amount of fines and the impact the event had of the performer's career or award show.
5.) "Kanye steals the mic from Taylor Swift" - MTV Video Awards 2009
When the President of the United States calls you a "jackass" for your actions, you've done something wrong. Kanye has been off the radar since the incident.
4.) "The entire 2000 MTV Music Awards" - MTV Video Awards 2000
Where do I begin with this one? Tim Commerford (bassist of Rage Against the Machine) spent a night in jail after climbing scaffolding and threatening to jump, after Limp Bizkit won Best Rock Video. Britney Spears performance featured her in skin-coloured attire. Finally, Whitney Houston's erratic behaviour, including jumping up and down and shouting "free" in reference to on-again, off again boyfriend Bobby Brown's recent jail release. Can you say "train wreck"?
3.) "Vanessa Redgrave's Acceptance Speech" - 1977 Oscar Awards
Redgrave had won the Best Supporting Actress Award for her role in Julia that year. During her speech she insulted the Zionist movement, which ticked off a majority of the audience. Jewish groups around the world burned effigies and picketed the award ceremony the following year.
So where does this controversy rank? As it was a fairly recent event, it is very tough to gage. However, I have tried to determine the most controversial moments during award shows through a number of criterions. The first is the amount of complaints it received by the various governing bodies. The next set of measures was the amount of fines and the impact the event had of the performer's career or award show.
5.) "Kanye steals the mic from Taylor Swift" - MTV Video Awards 2009
When the President of the United States calls you a "jackass" for your actions, you've done something wrong. Kanye has been off the radar since the incident.
4.) "The entire 2000 MTV Music Awards" - MTV Video Awards 2000
Where do I begin with this one? Tim Commerford (bassist of Rage Against the Machine) spent a night in jail after climbing scaffolding and threatening to jump, after Limp Bizkit won Best Rock Video. Britney Spears performance featured her in skin-coloured attire. Finally, Whitney Houston's erratic behaviour, including jumping up and down and shouting "free" in reference to on-again, off again boyfriend Bobby Brown's recent jail release. Can you say "train wreck"?
3.) "Vanessa Redgrave's Acceptance Speech" - 1977 Oscar Awards
Redgrave had won the Best Supporting Actress Award for her role in Julia that year. During her speech she insulted the Zionist movement, which ticked off a majority of the audience. Jewish groups around the world burned effigies and picketed the award ceremony the following year.
Be the first to comment on this story