The most awkward moment of the Oscars
Mike Gallagher
CHRIS Rock has been killing it as host of the 88th Academy Awards, delivering close-to-the-bone jokes about race, diversity and sexism in Hollywood.
However, one odd little stunt during today’s ceremony fell undeniably flat in the auditorium — and left viewers at home scratching their heads.
Rock introduced former Clueless actor tued Fox News conservative pundit Stacey Dash, who courted controversy recently when she waded into the #OscarsSoWhite debate by announcing that institutions that celebrate black achievements — like Black History Month and the Black Entertainment Network (BET) should be abolished.
Introducing ‘the new director of our Minority Outreach Program’, Rock welcomed Dash to the stage, where she stood with a smile plastered on her face, giggling.
New Academy director of diversity outreach #oscars pic.twitter.com/EqXgrDodQi — Chris Rock (@chrisrock) February 29, 2016
“I cannot wait to help my people out. Happy Black History Month!’ she announced, to a stunned silence from the audience.
After a beat, she let out a meek, “Thank you”, and quickly exited stage right.
It seemed like a joke without a punchline, and the general reaction — summed up by model Chrissy Teigen’s expressive reaction shot from the audience — is that it was ... weird:
