The most awkward moment of the Oscars

SUPERMODEL Chrissy Teigen’s face summed up the response from the audience perfectly: this was the weird Oscars stunt that just fell flat.

CHRIS Rock has been killing it as host of the 88th Academy Awards, delivering close-to-the-bone jokes about race, diversity and sexism in Hollywood.

However, one odd little stunt during today’s ceremony fell undeniably flat in the auditorium — and left viewers at home scratching their heads.

‘Welcome to the White People’s Choice Awards!’ Chris Rock’s best jokes

Oscars 2016: Live updates

Rock introduced former Clueless actor turned Fox News conservative pundit Stacey Dash, who courted controversy recently when she waded into the #OscarsSoWhite debate by announcing that institutions that celebrate black achievements — like Black History Month and the Black Entertainment Network (BET) should be abolished.

Actress turned conservative pundit seemed happy to laugh at herself — but others didn’t get the joke.

Introducing ‘the new director of our Minority Outreach Program’, Rock welcomed Dash to the stage, where she stood with a smile plastered on her face, giggling.

New Academy director of diversity outreach #oscars pic.twitter.com/EqXgrDodQi

— Chris Rock (@chrisrock) February 29, 2016

“I cannot wait to help my people out. Happy Black History Month!’ she announced, to a stunned silence from the audience.

.@realstaceydash makes a special cameo at the #Oscars, and the crowd had no clue how to react https://t.co/RO5WqpCgWC

— Independent Journal (@INJO) February 29, 2016

After a beat, she let out a meek, “Thank you”, and quickly exited stage right.

It seemed like a joke without a punchline, and the general reaction — summed up by model Chrissy Teigen’s expressive reaction shot from the audience — is that it was ... weird:

Chrissy Teigen reacting to Stacey Dash is all of us reacting to Stacey Dash: https://t.co/sHfzsMtYNI pic.twitter.com/wo78q8adp3

— Bustle (@bustle) February 29, 2016

That Stacey Dash moment still has me cringing 😳

— Abigail Ratchford (@AbiRatchford) February 29, 2016

You think Stacey Dash will comeback & all will be understood?

— mia farrow (@MiaFarrow) February 29, 2016

We were all @theweeknd during that Stacey Dash bit. #Oscars pic.twitter.com/HmjVx8Ss90

— The Cut (@TheCut) February 29, 2016

The big upside to that Stacey Dash joke is now we all know what it sounds like when a tree falls in a forest and nobody's around. #Oscars

— Adam Liaw (@adamliaw) February 29, 2016

I was making the face from the Stacey Dash moment ahhhhhhh not Sarah!

— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) February 29, 2016

Half of America reacting to Stacey Dash pic.twitter.com/lFXXUJO15V

— Dave Itzkoff (@ditzkoff) February 29, 2016

The 2016 Oscars Red Carpet

VIEW GALLERY

Originally published as The most awkward moment of the Oscars