Countdown to Oscars 2016: 5 most memorable Oscars moments

Fans are expected to be glued on their seats as they watch Oscars 2016 on Feb. 28, to be held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California. Apart from the trophies to be given out, as well as the parade of the biggest film stars and their glamourous dresses, this year’s memorable moments are eagerly anticipated by movie enthusiasts.

Throughout the years, the Academy Awards has had its share of unforgettable episodes, from the most touching, to the funniest and even the most cringe worthy. Each decade seems to have a representation of “what just happened” moments, making the awards ceremony an entertaining spectacle.

In 2014, host Ellen DeGeneres had a few stunts up her sleeve to lighten up the mood at the Oscars. One of the most memorable snapshots of the event, literally, was when she took a selfie with some of the biggest Hollywood stars in the middle of the ceremony. The famous selfie, which brought down Twitter when DeGeneres posted it, featured the host with Meryl Streep, Kevin Spacey, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Lawrence, Julia Roberts, Lupita Nyong'o, Jared Leto, Channing Tatum and Bradley Cooper.

DeGeneres’ selfie with the stars is just among the countless incidents that made history at the Academy Awards over the past years. Here are some of the best Oscars moments.

The year when two African-Americans won (2002)
Oscars 2016 has been heavily criticised for its lack of diversity, with some celebrities even threatening to boycott the event. It even spawned the hashtag #OscarsSoWhite. Over a decade ago, however, the movie industry had an opposite experience. In 2001, Halle Berry won the Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role for the film “Monster’s Ball.” She became the first, and until now the only, African-American woman to take home the coveted award. Her win was even made more impressive when Denzel Washington also won that same evening as best actor for “Training Day.” Julia Roberts, who presented the award, could not contain her happiness when she announced the winner. “I love my life,” she expressed before saying Washington’s name.

Source: YouTube/Oscars

Billy Crystal’s Hannibal Lecter entrance (1992)
Definitely one of the coolest Oscars moment in history, Billy Crystal honoured the legendary film “The Silence of the Lambs” in the best way he knows how. In 1992, the comedian did not step out on stage, but was rather wheeled out, wearing Hannibal Lecter’s iconic face mask. The entire live audience was completely in stitches, including the movie’s lead star Sir Anthony Hopkins. As if that’s not enough, Crystal went down to Hopkins and asked, "Good evening, I'm having some of the Academy over for dinner. Care to join me?" Later that evening, Hopkins won as Best Actor. The movie made history for winning the “Big Five,” as it also bagged the Best Actress, Best Director, Best Writing and Best Movie awards.

Source: YouTube/Oscars

The birth of Adele Dazeem (2014)
Topping the list of the most awkward moments in Oscars history, or perhaps any other awards ceremony, is John Travolta’s “who’s who?” gaffe. In 2013, “Frozen” easily became the most successful Disney movie, and its popularity was partly because of its theme song “Let It Go.” Broadway star Idina Menzel, who lent her speaking and singing voice to the film, became undoubtedly known among people of all ages. Except Travolta, it seemed during the Academy Awards in 2014. Prior to Menzel’s performance, Travolta completely messed up her name, introducing her as “Adele Dazeem.” Despite the blunder that went along with it, “Let It Go” won the award for Best Original Song that night.

Sally Field’s “You like me, you really like me!” speech (1985)
Speaking of messing up words, Sally Field’s acceptance speech at the Oscars in 1985 earned the reputation of becoming the most misquoted speeches of all time. The famous line, “You like me, you really like me” was often attributed to Field’s Academy Awards speech when she won Best Actress for her performance in “Places of the Heart.” However, Field did not really say those words. What she said was, “I haven't had an orthodox career. And I've wanted more than anything to have your respect. The first time I didn't feel it. But this time I feel it. And I can't deny the fact that you like me... right now... you like me. Thank you.”

Source: YouTube/Oscars

“The Streaker" (1974)
A list of best Oscars moments won’t be complete without who is notoriously known now as “The Streaker.” At the 46th Academy Awards, host David Niven received the biggest surprise of the evening while he was introducing Elizabeth Taylor as presenter of that year’s Best Picture. In the middle of his spiel, the crowd roared in laughter as a man suddenly stepped out on the stage, completely naked. He was later identified as Robert Opel, a conceptual artist. Niven graciously kept his composure, amid a few snickers, saying, “Isn't it fascinating to think that probably the only laugh that man will ever get in life is by stripping off and showing his shortcomings?”

Source: YouTube/Oscars

As Taylor herself said, “That was a pretty hard act to follow.” Watch out if there’s anything that would top that memorable moment at the upcoming 88th Academy Awards. The ceremony, which will be hosted by actor Chris Rock, will air on Feb. 28 at 5:30 p.m. PST on ABC.