VH1 Counts Down the Greatest Moments in Academy Awards History, Premiering Thursday, February 14

Cuba Gooding Jr.'s Spirited Acceptance Speech Takes the Number One Spot on 'VH1's 20 Greatest Oscar(R) Moments'

NEW YORK, Feb. 11 -- As hundreds of millions of viewers worldwide prepare to watch the 80th Annual Academy Awards, VH1 is counting down the most dramatic, outrageous, and unexpected moments in Oscar history. Earning the number one spot is Cuba Gooding Jr.'s over-the-top acceptance speech for Best Supporting Actor for the film Jerry Maguire in 1997. Gooding was so exuberant, he even drowned out the orchestra trying to ''play him off'' the stage.

''VH1's 20 Greatest Oscar Moments'' premieres Thursday, February 14 at 9:00 PM* and features new interviews with Oscar nominees and presenters, past and present, such as Sylvester Stallone, Jennifer Garner, Tatum O'Neal and more. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is notoriously restrictive in allowing the use of clips from past telecasts but VH1 has secured the use of many beloved Oscar moments that have rarely been seen since their original airing for this countdown.

Moments include:

-- Onstage streakers - In '74, a naked man ran across the stage, flashing a peace sign and his piece.

-- Chair Leapers - In '99, Roberto Benigni made his walk to the stage ten times more challenging by climbing over the seats and heads of fellow celebrities.

-- Impromptu Kissers - In '03, Adrien Brody got an Oscar and perhaps an even better award when he surprised presenter Halle Berry with a giant, passionate kiss.

-- Historic Achievers - In '02, Halle Berry became the first African American woman to win Best Actress-and cried while she dedicated her speech to all the black actresses who had come before her.

The countdown will also cover some of the most glamorous and most celebrated fashion moments (hello, Cher), unexpected Oscar dates (remember Madonna and Michael Jackson?) and hosts who shined as well as a full preview of this year's major Oscar races in anticipation of the big night on February 24th.

Viewers can go online to VH1.com for more information.

The complete list of ''VH1's 20 Greatest Oscar Moments'' is attached.

''VH1's 20 Greatest Oscar Moments'' is a production of VH1. Warren Cohen serves as supervising producer with Ali Jacobs as coordinating producer. Tara Wilson and Shelly Tatro are executive producers for VH1.

VH1 connects viewers to the music, artists and pop culture that matter to them most with TV series, specials, live events, exclusive online content and public affairs initiatives. VH1 is available in 90 million households in the U.S. VH1 also has an array of digital channels and services including VH1Classic, VH1 Soul, VH1 Mobile, VH1Games and extensive broadband video on VH1.com. Connect with VH1 at VH1.com.

* all times ET/PT

    Number#    YEAR OF       NOMINEE        MOMENT       DESCRIPTION OF MOMENT
               ACADEMY
               AWARDS
      1.        1997     Cuba Gooding  Best Actor in a   Kept talking, even
                          Jr.          Supporting Role   over the orchestra
                                       Jerry Maguire     during his acceptance
                                       (1996)            speech for Best
                                                         Supporting Actor for
                                                         Jerry Maguire.
      2.        1973     Marlon Brando Best Actor in a   Sent Sacheen
                                       Leading Role for  Littlefeather in his
                                       The Godfather     place when he won
                                       (1972)            Best Actor for The
                                                         Godfather, in order
                                                         to protest the
                                                         treatment of American
                                                         Indians.
      3.        2003     Adrien Brody  Best Actor in a   Kissed Halle Berry
                                       Leading Role for  during his acceptance
                                       The Pianist       for Best Actor.
                                       (2002)
      4.        1974     Streaker      Host              Host David Niven,
                                                         after recovering from
                                                         the nude streaker who
                                                         ran across stage,
                                                         made a statement and
                                                         the audience roared
                                                         with laughter.
      5.        1977     Sylvester     Co-presenter:     Boxer Muhammad Ali
                         Stallone      Best Actress in   surprised presenter
                                       a Supporting      Sylvester Stallone on
                                       Role              stage claiming he was
                                                         the real Apollo
                                                         Creed. They jokingly
                                                         sparred on stage a
                                                         bit before Stallone
                                                         said, "although I
                                                         might not win
                                                         anything tonight, I
                                                         will still remember
                                                         this night forever to
                                                         be standing next to a
                                                         100% Legend."
      6.        1998     James         Best Director     Accepting Best
                         Cameron       for Titanic       Director award and
                                       (1997)            said "I'm king of the
                                                         world."
      7.        1985     Sally Field   Best Actress in   Memorable Speech:
                                       a Leading Role    "You like me, you
                                       for Places in     like me."
                                       the Heart (1984)  Elizabeth Taylor was
      8.        1970     Elizabeth     Presenter of      the originator of
                         Taylor        Best Picture      over the top red
                                                         carpet bling thanks
                                                         to her appearance at
                                                         the 1970 Oscars,  at
                                                         which she sported a
                                                         69-carat pear shaped
                                                         Cartier diamond.
      9.        1974     Tatum O'Neil  Best Actress in   Youngest Person to
                                       a Supporting      win an Oscar at age
                                       Role for Paper    10.
                                       Moon (1973)
      10.       1995     David         Host              Iconic Uma/Oprah joke
                         Letterman                       in opening monologue.
      11.       1972     Isaac Hayes   Performer         Performs the theme
                                                         song from "Shaft,"
                                                         emerging from a cloud
                                                         of smoke, decked out
                                                         in chains, and riding
                                                         a piano rather than a
                                                         motorcycle.
      12.       1986     Cher          Fashion Tribute   Cher has used the
                                                         biggest red carpet
                                                         stage of all to make
                                                         some of her most
                                                         daring fashion
                                                         statements.
      13.       2000     Trey Parker   (Fashion)         Dressed up in drag
                         and Matt                        and strolled down the
                         Stone                           red carpet.  The drag
                                                         mimicked dresses worn
                                                         by Gwyneth Paltrow
                                                         and Jennifer Lopez at
                                                         past award
                                                         ceremonies.
      14.       1991     Madonna and   (Pairing)         Arrived at the Oscars
                         Michael                         together.
                         Jackson
      15.       2004     Jack Black    Performed Best    Together they sang
                         and Will      Song              "You're Boring" at
                         Ferrell                         the Oscars.
      16.       2000     Angelina      Best Actress in   Jolie had a major
                         Jolie         a Supporting      public display of
                                       Role for Girl,    affection for her
                                       Interrupted       brother, James Haven
                                       (1999)            Voight.
      17.       2006     Jennifer      Presenter         On her way to the
                         Garner        Best Sound        podium, Garner almost
                                                         trips and falls.
                                                         When she reaches the
                                                         podium, she says, ''I
                                                         do my own stunts.''
      18.       1999     Roberto       Best Actor in     Leapt over seats
                         Benigni       a Leading Role    while accepting Best
                                       for Vita e        Actor for Life is
                                       Bella, La         Beautiful.
                                       (1997)
      19.       2002     Halle         Best Actress      First win for
                         Berry                           African-American
                                                         woman, emotional
                                                         acceptance speech.
      20.       1998     Matt Damon    Best Writing,     Their win put the
                         and Ben       Screenplay        young duo on the map.
                         Affleck       Written Directly
                                       for the Screen
                                       for Good Will
                                       Hunting (1997)