Viewers flocked to social media after labelling the 2023 MTV Movie and TV Awards as "awful" and a "train wreck" as bosses ditched the live awards show.
MTV bosses announced the awards ceremony would not be broadcast live after host Drew Barrymore pulled out three days before the show in solidarity for the striking Writers Guild of America members.
On Tuesday, 11,500 film and television writers represented by the union put down their pens and laptops after failing to reach a new contract with the trade association that represents Hollywood studios and production companies.
The union is seeking higher minimum pay, more writers per show and shorter exclusive contracts, among other demands – all conditions it says have been diminished in the content boom driven by streaming.
Drew supported the union by pulling out of the show on Sunday, although she has agreed to return as host for the 2024 edition of the event.
MTV decided to air a pre-recorded show, which included flashbacks from the 32-year history of the awards, with the winners having recorded their speeches.
Many were confused by the concept of the show, with many boycotting the event in unison with the striking members and the automated voiceover instead of a show presenter.
One fan wrote: "The #MTVAwards are AWFUL this year. Happy with a lot of the winners. Too many flashbacks, not many acceptance speeches, it’s so boring. Y’all better pay your writers correctly because this is not it!!! The boycott made this show so boring!!! Do better."
Another commented: "I don’t know what’s going on with the #MTVAwards but this year sucks. I’m out of this nightmare! Yuck. Do better next year. This is a train wreck."
A third person brutally said: "The most shocking thing about the MTV Music and Television awards show is that there is still the MTV Music and Television awards."
A fourth added: "Last one about #MTVAwards but it's legit painful watching them rehash all the high points that this award show had only for this to be some kind of weird tribute to a dying industry? They couldn't get any celebrities to show up this year I guess?"
Throwback clips which were used in the broadcast-only awards ceremony included Jennifer Lopez's emotional speech when she collected the MTV Generation Awards last year.
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