Most controversial Logies moments

Held to honour the best and brightest on TV, the Logies has also played host to some of television’s most talked about moments.

It’s the prestige awards ceremony which honours the best and most popular in the Australian television industry.

But the Logies has also played host to some of the most awkward — and talked about — moments of live television.

Ahead of this year’s Logies on Sunday, June 30, here are some of the most controversial moments from past events.

BERT NEWTON'S "MENTOR" GAG

TV veteran Bert Newton stunned the audience last year when he took the stage to present the Graham Kennedy Award for Most Popular New Talent and referred to himself as an "old poof". 

 Newton joked that young Australians might see him on TV and ask: "Where has this old poof come from?"

Bert Newton's 2018 Logies speech

Things slid further downhill shortly afterward when he opened up about his late friend Graham Kennedy, who he claimed would "mentor young people" behind "locked" doors.

"He enjoyed giving young people a chance on television, he was a great mentor, he mentored a lot of young people. You knew if you went to his dressing room it was locked, he will be inside doing some mentoring."

HUGHESY'S "LOVE" OF DON BURKE

Hughesy had the crowd in stitches during his opening monologue last year, but fumbled through an awkward moment after bringing up disgraced Nine star Don Burke.

“Give it up for Tracy Grimshaw, guys. 30 years, nominated for gold. And also her Don Burke interview has been nominated as well. That was amazing. We have a lot of revelations from that. We got the revelation that Don apparently has Asperger's. No-one knew about that. Including his doctor. No, I love Don Burke. I love Don.”

At this point, with the audience groaning, Hughesy backtracked about his “love” for Don Burke, who faced a slew of allegations about sexual harassment and inappropriate behaviour throughout his career in late 2017.

“I don’t love everything about him. Alright? Now I’ve taken myself to weird zone. Sorry.”

Dave Hughes' 2018 Logies speech hit an awkward note.

And it wasn't Hughesy's first Logies gaffe. 

In fact, the comedian's opening speech at the 2017 Logies reportedly cost him a gig on Channel 7.

The radio host took aim at Olympian Grant Hackett’s mental health battle, complaining that the swimmer had become “a bit whingey”.

Hughes also mocked Stefanovic’s highly publicised love life and the affair scandal surrounding Seven CEO Tim Worner at the time.

He later claimed his joke about Worner had cost him a spot on Seven show Behave Yourself!, however, this was denied by the network.

KARL STEFANOVIC’S ‘DRUNK’ TODAY APPEARANCE

One of the event’s most memorable moments didn’t happen on the night.

Karl Stefanovic made headlines for his infamous 2009 post-Logies broadcast on Today.

The TV host slurred his words and broke down giggling several times, admitting in 2014 that he perhaps had one too many the night before.

Karl Stefanovic’s infamous post Logies appearance. Picture: Channel 9

“It wasn’t any different to any other year — we all get smashed at the Logies and go to work the next day; we’d done it for years and years. But this was the first Logies when stuff really started working on the internet,” he said in an interview posted on Youtube.

“I remember seeing it on Today Tonight and going, ‘Oh god.’ I really was drunk, or at least I certainly looked and sounded drunk.”

KARL PRAISES WIFE’S ‘ARSE’ IN LOGIES ACCEPTANCE SPEECH

Accepting the award for most popular presenter in 2011, Stefanovic had another noted Logies moment when he told viewers his then-wife Cassandra Thorburn had “the best arse I have ever seen”.

His off-the-cuff comment caused a stir, with Channel 7 presenter Johanna Griggs slamming the Today presenter for mentioning his wife’s behind on the family-friendly show.

JULIA MORRIS FORGETS TO READ LOGIES NOMINEES

At the 2015 Logies Julia Morris announced The Voice Australia as the winner of the outstanding entertainment program category — without naming any of the other nominees.

The I’m A Celebrity host didn’t realise her mistake until after Voice star Ricky Martin had come on stage to accept the award.

“It’s live, don’t tell anyone, we can cut it out later,” Julia said as she realised what she had done.

“We’re going to talk about the nominees later when I’m in really big trouble. It’s just inappropriate to talk about who they are now.”

JOAN RIVERS GOES OFF SCRIPT

The Logies is known for trotting out international celebrities to spice up the ceremony, but the late Joan Rivers’ 2006 appearance at the Logies will be memorable for all the wrong reasons.

The red carpet queen appeared to have had one too many glasses of champagne when she let rip at Australia’s A-list.

Joan Rivers with her pink Logie afterwards. Picture: Supplied

Appearing on stage with Richard Wilkins as she was presented with a pink Logie, Rivers said:

“They don’t know who the sh*t I am. I don’t know why the f**k I’m here. I know him (pointing to Wilkins) and I know you’re all famous (gesturing to audience) and I hope you all win. I know I’m sitting with important people, I don’t know who you are.”

When Wilkins handed Rivers her trophy, she declared it the “ugliest award I’ve ever seen” before throwing it. Awkward.

BERT NEWTON CALLS MUHAMMAD ALI ‘BOY’

In one of the Logies’ most infamous moments, Bert Newton risked an international upset when he referred to Muhammad Ali as “boy” in 1979.

Appearing beside the boxing legend on stage, Newton told the audiences “I like the boy”, apparently not realising the expression could be interpreted as a racial slur.

A shocked Ali responded by asking if Newton had said “Roy or boy”, before going on to slam the Logie trophy.

“I don’t want to embarrass nobody, but is this real gold? What do you do to win one of these? Is this a big thing?’’ the boxer asked.

Newton replied: “This is 23 years for me.’’

“Twenty-three years for this? … I love the award, I like your style, but this gift is so cheap, I won’t see you for a while,” Ali hit back.

Originally published as Most controversial Logies moments