There were plenty of memorable moments from Sunday night's Academy Awards broadcast — including some groundbreaking winners and more than one emotional acceptance speech — but some viewers are hung up on the very awkward exchange between Jimmy Kimmel and human rights activist Malala Yousafzai. Let's just say that Jimmy's bit went over like a lead balloon.
The moment happened during a segment where Jimmy hosted a fan Q&A.
The 55-year-old comedian made his way out to the audience to share questions sent in by viewers. Although the bit was meant to be a comedic one, those watching from home thought it fell especially flat when Jimmy asked Malala about "spitgate."
For those who may not remember, a video of the cast of Don't Worry Darling appeared to show Harry Styles spitting on Chris Pine during a tense exchange at the Venice Film Festival, sparking a "did he or didn't he" debate among fans.
Malala refused to take the bait and had a classy response for the late-night host.
Instead of wading into the ongoing drama that has followed producer Olivia Wilde's latest film, Malala took a mature approach. "I only talk about peace," she said, before Jimmy was forced to abandon the bit and move on to the next person in the audience.
But unfortunately for both Jimmy and Malala, the awkward exchange didn't end there.
A person in a bear costume proceeded to pester Malala as soon as Jimmy moved on.
Actress Elizabeth Banks took the stage to talk about special effects while standing alongside someone dressed as the furry star of her new movie, Cocaine Bear. After her presentation was over, the bear joined Jimmy in the audience and appeared to try to get a rise out of Malala after the host walked away.
"Cocaine bear, leave Malala alone," Jimmy chastised the bear as Malala seemed to squirm uncomfortably in her seat.
Critics took to social media to call out Jimmy for the incident.
Viewers at home immediately went to Twitter to bash Jimmy's exchange with Malala.
"Utterly disrespectful and patronizing behavior towards her and her work," one person wrote. "It was the same cringe feeling and reaction from the [Will] Smith slap."
Another person spoke out about how they could have used the extra time for something better than harassing a Nobel Prize winner. "I am so annoyed right now that they played off those winners so Jimmy Kimmel could lead a bit where Cocaine Bear harasses Malala," the person tweeted in part.
Malala is the youngest Nobel Peace Prize winner in history.
Most of the viewer outrage stems from the fact that Malala is a well-known and highly respected activist who has made a stunning recovery from being shot in the face by Taliban forces when she bravely stood up for the educational rights of women and girls in 2012.
Jimmy could have actually had a respectable moment with her and allowed her to use the Oscars platform for good, but instead he made some cheap jokes, leaving viewers with a bad taste in their mouths.
