The writers strike upended producers’ plans for its 2023 MTV Movie & TV Awards, and the Golden Popcorn was a bit tarnished as a result, but the awards show still delivered some viral-worthy moments. Here are some of the best:
Josie Geller returns
Sunday’s show opened with a sketch in which former host Drew Barrymore once again played Josie from Never Been Kissed, looking for love on the sets of Smile, Nope, Wednesday, The White Lotus, M3GAN, and Top Gun: Maverick, before getting it on with an unusual scene partner.
Josie Grossie’s first kiss went a little like this 💋🐻 #MTVAwards pic.twitter.com/tO4JdYC9gs
— Movie & TV Awards (@MTVAwards) May 8, 2023
Pedro Pascal says young people deserve real heroes
“All the young people in the world are my heroes, and I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you,” the Last of Us actor said as he received the Best Hero award. “And I want to say that you deserve a world that serves your interests. You deserve to be healthy, you deserve to be safe, you deserve your individual rights to be fought for and protected. You deserve real heroes in this world.”
In a subsequent acceptance speech for Best Show, the actor said he was “standing in solidarity with the WGA, that is fighting very hard for fair wages.”
You can always count on Pedro Pascal to save the day 🦸♀️
You voted and he took home the golden popcorn for Best Hero at the 2023 #MTVAwards! pic.twitter.com/IjPFQ4fHFi
— Movie & TV Awards (@MTVAwards) May 8, 2023
Drew’s a Barbie girl in a Barbie world
In another green-screen-enabled sketch, Barrymore joined the upcoming Barbie movie as the unofficial “Skipper,” saying she just showed on set until she made it on camera. “Everyone knows that Skipper is the logical, levelheaded one,” she said. “I can totally play that.”
Next Stop: Barbie Land ✈️ 💖🌴
This barbie…is a skipper!!! #MTVAwards pic.twitter.com/yv3tGplolm
— Movie & TV Awards (@MTVAwards) May 8, 2023
Tom Cruise takes flight
The Top Gun: Maverick star delivered his Best Performance in a Movie award in midair, from the cockpit of his World War II-era P-51 Mustang. “I make these films for you,” he said. “I love you. I love entertaining you. To know how much you enjoy it, how much you appreciate it, there’s no better feeling.”
Things we’ll never forget: @TomCruise‘s performance in #TopGun: Maverick 🎥
Congrats to Tom Cruise on winning Best Performance in a Movie at the 2023 #MTVAwards! pic.twitter.com/dZr3Wglpdq
— Movie & TV Awards (@MTVAwards) May 8, 2023
Jennifer Coolidge gets Shakespearean
Accepting the Comedic Genius Award, Coolidge quoted one of William Shakespeare’s most famous lines — “the play’s the thing” — as she expressed solidarity with the striking WGA members. The White Lotus star also won the Best Frightened Performance trophy on Sunday.
Thank YOU, @JENCOOLIDGE 🫶🍿🏆 Welcome to the Comedic Genius Award Club! #MTVAwards pic.twitter.com/CLH78d1bP3
— Movie & TV Awards (@MTVAwards) May 8, 2023
Drag queens support a royally important cause
Fan faves from RuPaul’s Drag Race spoke out against anti-trans legislation and drag queen bans during their Best Competition series, with Jaida Essence Hall calling for donations to the Drag Defense Fund, which supports the ACLU’s fight for LGBTQ+ equality.
The competition was stiff but @RuPaulsDragRace came out on top 🏆 #DragRace: All-Stars is the winner of Best Competition Series at the 2023 #MTVAwards! pic.twitter.com/LhVQNjHwuu
— Movie & TV Awards (@MTVAwards) May 8, 2023
Sneak peeks of possible 2024 award winners
MTV also aired sneak peeks of The Little Mermaid, Yellowjackets, and Transformers: Rise of the Beasts during the show.
Look at this stuff, isn’t it neat? 🧜♀️✨🐚 And by stuff, we mean a *sneak peek* at The @LittleMermaid! #TheLittleMermaid #MTVAwards pic.twitter.com/ECm78GA4K1
— Movie & TV Awards (@MTVAwards) May 8, 2023
Just got a sneak peek at @yellowjackets96 episode 7 and i’m FREAKING!!!! OUT!!!! 🌲✈️🐝😳 #Yellowjackets #MTVAwards pic.twitter.com/XM9ucj2W0Z
— Movie & TV Awards (@MTVAwards) May 8, 2023
Autobots, ASSEMBLE 🤖🚗
Here’s your ~exclusive~ sneak peek at the new @Transformers: #RiseOfTheBeasts! #MTVAwards pic.twitter.com/hNQDLYDyXI
— Movie & TV Awards (@MTVAwards) May 8, 2023
This story originally appeared on TV Insider
