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Anything can happen at the Academy Awards.
Just ask comedian Chris Rock, who was unceremoniously slapped by Will Smith during last year’s show after cracking a joke about the actor’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. Another literal smackdown is unlikely at this year’s event, although plenty of contenders will figuratively duke it out in too-close-to-call races such as best actor, best actress and best original screenplay.
With just a week out before Jimmy Kimmel returns to host the Oscars on March 12 (ABC, 8 EDT/5 PDT), here’s a look back at some of the wildest, most unexpected moments in the awards show’s history:12. Cher turns heads in a see-through dress (1988)
Bjork had her swan dress and golden eggs at the 2001 awards, while Celine Dion wore a backward tuxedo and diamond-studded sunglasses to the show in 1999. But no one has made bolder fashion statements at the Oscars than Cher, who has unforgettably donned feathered headdresses and belly-baring gowns. Her jewel-encrusted naked dress may have been her most daring, which she wore when she won best actress for «Moonstruck.»11. John Travolta butchers Idina Menzel’s name (2014)
The «Grease» actor launched a thousand memes when he introduced the «Frozen» star’s performance of «Let It Go,» unintelligibly pronouncing her name as «Adele Dazeem.»10. Chris Rock takes no prisoners in his blistering opening monologue (2016)
The stand-up comedian made for a searing Oscar host amid outrage over the second year of #OscarsSoWhite, taking aim at the lack of diversity in the acting nominees, and stars such as Smith and Pinkett Smith, who boycotted the ceremony because of it. «Jada boycotting the Oscars is like me boycotting Rihanna’s panties,» he jabbed. «I wasn’t invited!» 9. Rob Lowe opens the show with a bizarre duet (1989)
The actor was endlessly lampooned for his participation in this campy opening number, in which he performed a duet of «Proud Mary» with «Snow White»-clad newcomer Eileen Bowman. Stars including Paul Newman and Julie Andrews slammed the disastrous 10-plus-minute number as an «embarrassment» in an open letter, and Disney filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against the Academy for using its character.
