Award ceremonies have two main purposes: 1) To reward an industry’s finest talent with the gongs they deserve. 2) To provide a healthy supply of hiccups and calamities for the thirstiest of armchair fans. Madonna’s Brits #capegate set a high standard that not even Katy Perry’s falling house could match. But last night’s Oscars truly delivered. The biggest gaffes galore in the ceremony’s history, they managed to give the Best Picture award to the wrong film, and they honoured a living woman during an ‘In Memoriam’ montage. Needless to say, meme-makers the world over were primed for sweet viral goodness, but nobody was expecting this much material to work with.
While the gobsmacked reactions of Emma Stone and the ‘La La Land’ crew stole the headlines, the Oscars brought so many more unforgettable moments, from professional photobombers to the most bizarre applause since Michael Gove clapped like a seal. Here’s what went down at this year’s Oscars:
Justin Timberlake still thought he was in Trolls
Every Oscars needs a decent photobomb, right? Justin Timberlake, come on down!
We all have that one friend. ? #Oscars #WEMFradio ? #TheWorldIsOurScene pic.twitter.com/xIxktj6D3K
— WEMF Radio (@WEMFRadio) February 27, 2017
men faving tweets of women they’ve never interacted with before https://t.co/8N7eaX9jEQ
— jeff.gif (@thecultureofme) February 27, 2017
Nicole Kidman redefined clapping
Perhaps she was just being reserved, but Kidman’s clapping technique was weird as hell, and people certainly noticed.
— NME (@NME) February 27, 2017
Why does Nicole Kidman clap like The Grinch?! pic.twitter.com/dhzN7Og8xC
— Mihuel LoPriore (@MichaelLopriore) February 27, 2017
Nicole Kidman can't clap either why is this happening pic.twitter.com/EJbJ6ePrxl
— lauren yap (@itslaurenyap) February 27, 2017
why does nicole kidman clap with her . palms only
— kylie (@barelynineteen) February 27, 2017
Leonardo DiCaprio was reminded of his troubled Oscars past
leonardo dicaprio, and the ghosts of all the oscars he never won pic.twitter.com/0Nf6rVpIdr
— keely flaherty (@keelyflaherty) February 27, 2017
A bloke called Gary stole the show
During a particularly prolonged skit, host Jimmy Kimmel orchestrated a bus load of tourists to accidentally walk into the ceremony. It was hit and miss in parts, but Gary from Chicago and his wife-to-be Vicky stole the show.
Jimmy Kimmel: "I feel like you're ignoring all the white celebrities"
Gary from Chicago : "Yes, I am"
? #Oscars pic.twitter.com/cIEEvCzjpT
— alex medina (@mrmedina) February 27, 2017
I think it's pretty safe to say Gary from Chicago had a pretty good day ?? #Oscars pic.twitter.com/CxiAR0ogaC
— Ali (@Ali_Givenchy) February 27, 2017
Gary from Chicago is me if I was at the #Oscars. pic.twitter.com/wtfvikAynC
— Natali Castillo (@_NataliCastillo) February 27, 2017
"Ion give a damn about no Matt Damon where Denzel at?" pic.twitter.com/sdYjS99QjA
— Micah A. ? (@LetMicahDown) February 27, 2017
But there were warnings for this unlikely viral superstar
https://twitter.com/jess_mc/status/836054033529991168
What is Ryan Gosling whispering in this woman’s ear?
Behold Whispering Ryan Gosling, the best meme from this year’s Oscars. When Kimmel’s pack of gobsmacked tourists appeared on stage, Gosling leant in for a kiss with Gary’s wife Vicky who, by all means, did not look prepared. But what knowledge did Ryan share?
GOSLING KNEW. pic.twitter.com/Ps5214V0sr
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) February 27, 2017
GOSLING: I saved jazz music. pic.twitter.com/iUWbUqTbjk
— Jamie Woodham (@jwoodham) February 27, 2017
"it's not on their menu but you can order anything 'animal style' " pic.twitter.com/WD45hOpgZh
— Terry F (@daemonic3) February 27, 2017
Is Matt Damon the world’s best punchbag?
Kimmel reignited his long-running light-hearted feud with friend (and enemy) Matt Damon throughout the evening. Starting as a slight poke at his latest film The Great Wall, it soon escalated to Kimmel playing him off.
.@jimmykimmel tells Matt Damon to wrap it up. #Oscars pic.twitter.com/9tCgi67EN1
— Variety (@Variety) February 27, 2017
Kimmel brought his Mean Tweets skit to the Oscars
And it was amazing, especially thanks to Robert De Niro’s sassy response.
And the Best Picture goes to…
The greatest gaffe in Oscars history provided a lifetime supply of meme potential. The Internet wasted no time in living up to the challenge.
woah (etc) pic.twitter.com/m4Il6UPNKv
— David Lewis (@davidclewis) February 27, 2017
Well I would have never expected that #Oscars2017 #Oscars #moonlight #WarrenWhatDidYouDo pic.twitter.com/5i8QL5dxAe
— John Mullin (@jmm212) February 27, 2017
— Jerry Saltz (@jerrysaltz) February 27, 2017
And that's me gone… pic.twitter.com/O7V8UGgzYC
— Nick Levine (@mrnicklevine) February 27, 2017
King of twists M. Night Shyamalan took credit for the mix-up
I wrote the ending of the academy awards 2017. @jimmykimmel we really got them!
— M. Night Shyamalan (@MNightShyamalan) February 27, 2017
But most importantly, Toploader finally got the credit they deserve
incredibly, i remade the title card and have just now realised that i managed to upload the wrong mp4 pic.twitter.com/iCscBo7kKV
— Stan The Golden Boy (@tristandross) February 27, 2017