By Tamar Anitai
MTV's awards shows have, historically, created so many memorable moments that they could easily fill their own award show of memorable moments. Some moments were scripted and planned: Sasha Baron Cohen's bare bum descending upon Eminem's face at the 2009 MTV Movie Awards: planned. Kanye West rushing the stage during Taylor Swift's acceptance speech at the 2009 VMAs: unplanned.
And speaking of Kanye, 'Yeezy may have inspired a confused-looking Aubrey Plaza, who — wearing a handwritten reference to her upcoming movie, "The To-Do List," on her décolletage — wandered up on stage during Will Ferrell's acceptance speech for the Comedic Genius Award.
Will Ferrell barely broke character, throwing subtle shade by saying "What's happening, are you okay? Aubrey Plaza, everyone! Just like we rehearsed it" and then continuing with his acceptance speech without missing a beat.
The Greek chorus of celebration and complaint that is Twitter quickly lit up with the appropriate echoes of confusion, disbelief, and, of course, references to the great Kanyeing of 2009.
Some members of the Twitterverse, like GreeneggsnSam24 , blamed it on the alcohol, tweeting "I'm going to take the fact that she spilled her drink everywhere and that this wasn't funny as a clue it wasn't planned."
@grace_nicolee speculated "I think Aubrey Plaza was wasted pants tonight."
And while Aubrey Plaza's stage crash was certainly unplanned (she was promptly asked to leave the show after the incident), some Twitter users weren't reluctant to respond to the actress' blatant (albeit slightly misguided) attempt to market herself. @NebraskaHeath reacted by tweeting "Well now I know who Aubrey Plaza @evilhag is and her movie coming out. #WellPlayed #SketchyMarketing" while @soundofthesuns responded with "Aubrey you know how to do publicity right, girl. A+ on getting kicked out. #thetodolist @evilhag
Well now I know who Aubrey Plaza @evilhag is and her movie coming out. #WellPlayed #SketchyMarketing
— Heath Christiansen (@NebraskaHeath) April 15, 2013
Aubrey you know how to do publicity right, girl. A+ on getting kicked out. #thetodolist @evilhag
— Laura Crespo (@soundofthesuns) April 15, 2013
@Super_AlphaMale was unimpressed by Plaza's attempt to divert attention from Will Ferrell, writing, "@evilhag way to mess up Wills acceptance speech to try to promote your movie. Pretty selfish&childish if you ask me. Glad you got kicked out."
Still, the 28-year-old actress has built a loyal fanbase with her characteristic deadpan delivery in "Parks & Recreation" and performances in "Funny People" and "Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World," and many fans saw the unplanned moment as more adorable than awkward:
@chrisc0Ifer tweeted @evilhag you kanye west'd the mtv movie awards but in a much cuter way will you marry me, while Trevor May enthused "I am in love with @evilhag !!!"
While reactions to her stage crash were mixed, it's undeniable that Aubrey Plaza created one of the night's most talked-about (and possibly most intoxicating) moments and that hits to "The To-Do List's" Wikipedia page likely saw an unforeseen spike. Your move, Kanye.
