‘Something About Mary’ Makers Stun Audience for MTV Awards
Cameron Diaz, Jim Carrey and “There’s Something About Mary” were the top winners Saturday night at the 1999 MTV Movie Awards.
But the show’s patently irreverent sensibility turned serious when filmmakers Bobby and Peter Farrelly stepped into the firestorm over youth and violence, leaving the audience in stunned silence.
While accepting the best picture award for “There’s Something About Mary,” Bobby Farrelly said that with Hollywood in the hot seat, he hoped that the “next time some high school kid breaks up with his girlfriend” and “wipes out half his classmates, maybe he’ll think of us.”
Most in the crowd at Santa Monica Air Center’s Barker Hangar, a raucous mix of movie insiders and young fans, seemed shocked and uncertain how to react.
Afterward, though, the Farrellys told The Times that they may have misspoken and that their intent was not to make light of such recent episodes of violence as the Littleton, Colo., school shootings. Rather, they wanted their statement to be a commentary on the criticism Hollywood has received for a supposed role in such tragedies.
“What we were saying is that since the [Littleton] tragedy, Hollywood has taken a lot of hits,” said Peter Farrelly. “It’s ludicrous to think that Hollywood’s to blame, and especially ludicrous that a movie like ours is blamed.”
Their film is full of crude humor, but has no graphic violence--unless the comedic battle between star Ben Stiller and the small dog Puffy counts (that scene took the best fight award).
After the taping, MTV officials were unclear whether the questionable acceptance comments would be left in or edited from the version of the show set to premiere Thursday night on the cable channel. The Farrellys said that they would not be upset if it was edited, especially if it failed to convey their intent.
“No, they can do what they want--it’s their show,” said Bobby. “If people are offended,” added Peter, “I hope they take it out.”
Almost certain to be excised or bleeped from the telecast are parts of Carrey’s acceptance of the best actor award for “The Truman Show.” Appearing in the guise of a biker-styled rocker with full beard and elbow-length hair, Carrey punctuated his comments with profanities and sexual innuendo.
Hosted by “Friends” star Lisa Kudrow, the awards show is now in its eighth year. Winners were chosen through a national poll of MTV viewers.
The winners:
* Best movie: “There’s Something About Mary”
* Best male performance: Jim Carrey, “The Truman Show”
* Best female performance: Cameron Diaz, “There’s Something About Mary”
* Breakthrough performance, male: James Van Der Beek, “Varsity Blues”
* Breakthrough performance, female: Katie Holmes, “Disturbing Behavior”
* Best Villain: (tie) Matt Dillon, “There’s Something About Mary,” Stephen Dorff, “Blade”
* Best song from a movie: “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing,” performed by Aerosmith, “Armageddon”
* Best comedic performance: Adam Sandler, “The Waterboy”
* Best on-screen duo: Jackie Chan, Chris Tucker, “Rush Hour”
* Best kiss: Gwyneth Paltrow and Joseph Fiennes, “Shakespeare in Love”
* Best action sequence: Asteroid destroys New York City, “Armageddon,” Michael Bay, director
* Best fight: Ben Stiller vs. Puffy the Dog, “There’s Something About Mary”
* Best new filmmaker: Guy Ritchie, director, “Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels”