Cuba Gooding Jr.'s Spirited Acceptance Speech Takes the Number One Spot on 'VH1's 20 Greatest Oscar(R) Moments'

Cuba Gooding Jr.'s Spirited Acceptance Speech Takes the Number One Spot on 'VH1's 20 Greatest Oscar(R) Moments'

VH1 Counts Down the Greatest Moments in Academy Awards(R) History, Premiering Thursday, February 14 at 9:00 PM*

NEW YORK, Feb. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- As hundreds of millions of viewers worldwide prepare to watch the 80th Annual Academy Awards, VH1 is counting down the most dramatic, outrageous, and unexpected moments in Oscar history. Earning the number one spot is Cuba Gooding Jr.'s over-the-top acceptance speech for Best Supporting Actor for the film Jerry Maguire in 1997. Gooding was so exuberant, he even drowned out the orchestra trying to "play him off" the stage.

"VH1's 20 Greatest Oscar Moments" premieres Thursday, February 14 at 9:00 PM and features new interviews with Oscar nominees and presenters, past and present, such as Sylvester Stallone, Jennifer Garner, Tatum O'Neal and more. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is notoriously restrictive in allowing the use of clips from past telecasts but VH1 has secured the use of many beloved Oscar moments that have rarely been seen since their original airing for this countdown.

Moments include:

-- Onstage streakers - In '74, a naked man ran across the stage, flashing
a peace sign and his piece.

-- Chair Leapers - In '99, Roberto Benigni made his walk to the stage ten
times more challenging by climbing over the seats and heads of fellow
celebrities.

-- Impromptu Kissers - In '03, Adrien Brody got an Oscar and perhaps an
even better award when he surprised presenter Halle Berry with a giant,
passionate kiss.

-- Historic Achievers - In '02, Halle Berry became the first African
American woman to win Best Actress-and cried while she dedicated her
speech to all the black actresses who had come before her.

The countdown will also cover some of the most glamorous and most celebrated fashion moments (hello, Cher), unexpected Oscar dates (remember Madonna and Michael Jackson?) and hosts who shined as well as a full preview of this year's major Oscar races in anticipation of the big night on February 24th.

Viewers can go online to VH1.com for more information.

The complete list of "VH1's 20 Greatest Oscar Moments" is attached.

"VH1's 20 Greatest Oscar Moments" is a production of VH1. Warren Cohen serves as supervising producer with Ali Jacobs as coordinating producer. Tara Wilson and Shelly Tatro are executive producers for VH1.

VH1 connects viewers to the music, artists and pop culture that matter to them most with TV series, specials, live events, exclusive online content and public affairs initiatives. VH1 is available in 90 million households in the U.S. VH1 also has an array of digital channels and services including VH1Classic, VH1 Soul, VH1 Mobile, VH1Games and extensive broadband video on VH1.com. Connect with VH1 at VH1.com.

* all times ET/PT

Contact: Lori Bogin/VH1
212-846-7131
lori.bogin@vh1staff.com

Number# YEAR OF NOMINEE MOMENT DESCRIPTION OF MOMENT
ACADEMY
AWARDS
1. 1997 Cuba Gooding Best Actor in a Kept talking, even
Jr. Supporting Role over the orchestra
Jerry Maguire during his acceptance
(1996) speech for Best
Supporting Actor for
Jerry Maguire.
2. 1973 Marlon Brando Best Actor in a Sent Sacheen
Leading Role for Littlefeather in his
The Godfather place when he won
(1972) Best Actor for The
Godfather, in order
to protest the
treatment of American
Indians.
3. 2003 Adrien Brody Best Actor in a Kissed Halle Berry
Leading Role for during his acceptance
The Pianist for Best Actor.
(2002)
4. 1974 Streaker Host Host David Niven,
after recovering from
the nude streaker who
ran across stage,
made a statement and
the audience roared
with laughter.
5. 1977 Sylvester Co-presenter: Boxer Muhammad Ali
Stallone Best Actress in surprised presenter
a Supporting Sylvester Stallone on
Role stage claiming he was
the real Apollo
Creed. They jokingly
sparred on stage a
bit before Stallone
said, "although I
might not win
anything tonight, I
will still remember
this night forever to
be standing next to a
100% Legend."
6. 1998 James Best Director Accepting Best
Cameron for Titanic Director award and
(1997) said "I'm king of the
world."
7. 1985 Sally Field Best Actress in Memorable Speech:
a Leading Role "You like me, you
for Places in like me."
the Heart (1984) Elizabeth Taylor was
8. 1970 Elizabeth Presenter of the originator of
Taylor Best Picture over the top red
carpet bling thanks
to her appearance at
the 1970 Oscars, at
which she sported a
69-carat pear shaped
Cartier diamond.
9. 1974 Tatum O'Neil Best Actress in Youngest Person to
a Supporting win an Oscar at age
Role for Paper 10.
Moon (1973)
10. 1995 David Host Iconic Uma/Oprah joke
Letterman in opening monologue.
11. 1972 Isaac Hayes Performer Performs the theme
song from "Shaft,"
emerging from a cloud
of smoke, decked out
in chains, and riding
a piano rather than a
motorcycle.
12. 1986 Cher Fashion Tribute Cher has used the
biggest red carpet
stage of all to make
some of her most
daring fashion
statements.
13. 2000 Trey Parker (Fashion) Dressed up in drag
and Matt and strolled down the
Stone red carpet. The drag
mimicked dresses worn
by Gwyneth Paltrow
and Jennifer Lopez at
past award
ceremonies.
14. 1991 Madonna and (Pairing) Arrived at the Oscars
Michael together.
Jackson
15. 2004 Jack Black Performed Best Together they sang
and Will Song "You're Boring" at
Ferrell the Oscars.
16. 2000 Angelina Best Actress in Jolie had a major
Jolie a Supporting public display of
Role for Girl, affection for her
Interrupted brother, James Haven
(1999) Voight.
17. 2006 Jennifer Presenter On her way to the
Garner Best Sound podium, Garner almost
trips and falls.
When she reaches the
podium, she says, "I
do my own stunts."
18. 1999 Roberto Best Actor in Leapt over seats
Benigni a Leading Role while accepting Best
for Vita e Actor for Life is
Bella, La Beautiful.
(1997)
19. 2002 Halle Best Actress First win for
Berry African-American
woman, emotional
acceptance speech.
20. 1998 Matt Damon Best Writing, Their win put the
and Ben Screenplay young duo on the map.
Affleck Written Directly
for the Screen
for Good Will
Hunting (1997)

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: VH1

CONTACT: Lori Bogin of VH1, +1-212-846-7131, lori.bogin@vh1staff.com

Web site:

http://www.vh1.com/

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