Will he or won’t he be slimed?
That was the question on everyone’s minds Saturday night at the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards at USC’s Galen Center. Host Mark Wahlberg claimed he was “unslimeable” throughout the evening, but eventually, it was his own family who got him with the green gook. What started as a simple knock knock joke from his daughter ultimately turned into his slimy demise.
The packed center was filled with kids of all ages screaming and shouting as their favorite stars took the stage to present awards, accept awards or to get slimed. “American Idol” alum Todrick Hall opened the show with a performance of “Timber,” “Applause” and “Happy,” all of which included aerial dancers and neon costumes. Even though Miley Cyrus’ “Wrecking Ball” wasn’t covered at the show, Hall brought in a giant wrecking ball and swung from it a la Cyrus.
Marky Mark fans were teased with a potential throwback performance from Wahlberg when he first took the stage and joked, “Wasn’t Todrick Hall amazing? He makes me want to rap and dance a little bit again.” But it didn’t happen.
Rapper Pharrell — without his signature hat — and Kaley Cuoco Sweeting (“Big Bang Theory”) presented the favorite female singer award to winner Selena Gomez, who beat out Taylor Swift. Although Pharrell didn’t have his hat, he did happen to wear a “SpongeBob Squarepants” onesie. He said they were his favorite pajamas. Unfortunately, his sleepwear of choice was ruined as the duo became the first celebrity slime victims.
Later in the show “Kenan and Kel” alumni Kenan Thompson (via video) and Kel Mitchell presented Nickelodeon’s first-ever lifetime achievement award to Dan Schneider (“Kenan and Kel,” “All That,” “Zoey 101”). Mitchell opened his speech with his favorite Schneider-penned line: “Welcome to Good Burger, home of the Good Burger. Can I take your order?” Soon after, many of the cast members from all of his shows took the stage to present him with the golden submarine.
In his acceptance speech, Schneider thanked Nickelodeon, his family and his fans. “I feel so lucky that I get to spend my days hanging out with people as talented and hilarious and wonderful as all of you.”
When Kristen Bell and Chris Evans presented the favorite movie actor award, it wasn’t smooth sailing. In an attempt to wave some of the slime off of the envelope, Evans tossed it into one of the mosh pits. Luckily, a fan handed it back to him so he and Bell could bestow winner Adam Sandler (“Grown Ups 2”) with an orange submarine. When he got on stage, Sandler riled up the audience with some chanting. He said, “Let there be balls!” and from the ceiling dropped balls, but apparently he expected a few more.
“I honestly thought there was going to be more balls,” Sandler said. “That was pathetic.”
Robert Downey Jr. took home a submarine for favorite male buttkicker. He kept his speech short because, “I have to go film ‘Avengers 2,'” which made all of the kids squeal with excitement. But he did make sure to dole out a piece of advice before he left: “When life is kicking your butt, never forget to kick it back right in the face!”
Here is the full list of winners:
Favorite Male Singer: Justin Timberlake
Favorite Cartoon: “SpongeBob SquarePants”
Favorite Reality Show: “Wipeout”
Favorite Female Buttkicker: Jennifer Lawrence, “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire”
Favorite Voice from an Animated Movie: Miranda Cosgrove, “Despicable Me 2”
Favorite Movie Actress: Jennifer Lawrence, “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire”
Favorite Movie: “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire”
Favorite Animated Movie: “Frozen”
Favorite Male Buttkicker: Robert Downey Jr.
Favorite Movie Actor: Adam Sandler
Favorite Song: “Story of My Life,” One Direction
Favorite Music Group: One Direction
Favorite TV Show: “Sam & Cat”
Favorite TV Actor: Ross Lynch
Favorite TV Actress: Ariana Grande
Favorite Female Singer: Selena Gomez
Favorite Funny Star: Kevin Hart
KCA Fan Army Winner: Selenators, Selena Gomez
Favorite Video Game: “Just Dance 2014”
Favorite App Game: “Despicable Me: Minion Rush”
Favorite Book: “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” series
Most Enthusiastic Athlete: Dwight Howard
