CMT Music Awards 2017: Best And Worst Moments
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WORST: TURNING RAYNA'S HOUSE INTO AIRCMT
Though we probably could've done without the Billy Ray Cyrus poo joke.
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BEST: WELCOME TO NASHVILLE, BILSON!
Rachel Bilson hasn't even made her debut on the drama, but she was already working overtime, co-presenting the first trophy of the evening.
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BEST: REALITY CHECK
Raise your hand if you, like us, can't get used to hearing Nashville's Clare Bowen speak in her native Australian accent. (Same for Sam Palladio and his Brit one, right?)
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BEST: TURNING RAYNA'S HOUSE INTO AIRCMT
In a taped piece at the top of the show, CMT "President" Rucker informed host Charles Esten that all of the stars would be rooming at Rayna's spacious home, which offered gags such as...
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BEST: KATHERINE HEIGL AS DEACON FANGIRL
When Esten asked fans of the series to show their appreciation, the Grey's Anatomy alum couldn't contain her excitement. Same thing happened later, when she yelld, "I love you, Deacon!" before presenting an award.
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BEST: DAY DRINKERS EXTRAORDINAIRE
Today hosts Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford had been shooting at 8 that morning, but they still going strong as they presented CMT Performance of the Year to Blake Shelton and Jason DeRulo. "You all make us look like rank amateurs," Gifford told the crowd, hoisting high her glass of white wine.
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BEST: TURNING RAYNA'S HOUSE INTO AIRCMT (cont'd.)
... and Little Big Town getting cozy in Deacon's bed. (What? They said he could be little spoon, which seems very generous.)
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BEST: GREG ALLMAN TRIBUTE
Darius Rucker, Jason Aldean and Lady Antebellum's Charles Kelley opened the show with a rocking memorial to the recently deceased Allman brother.
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BEST: TURNING RAYNA'S HOUSE INTO AIRCMT (cont'd.)
... Kellie Pickler scrubbing floors in an evening gown...
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BEST: JADA PINKETT SMITH SIGHTING
Was that Gotham's Fish Mooney singing along with Miranda Lambert's "Pink Sunglasses?" (Yes, it was.)
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BEST: TURNING RAYNA'S HOUSE INTO AIRCMT (cont'd.)
... Brett Eldridge getting spoiled about Rayna's fate (oops!)...
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BEST: A LITTLE FRIENDLY COMPETITION
In a bit that involved Esten joking about his being a novice on the country-music-awards-hosting scene, frequent CMA Awards emcee Carrie Underwood produced a "host" microphone at a moment's notice. "I just keep one in my purse," she said innocently.
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BEST: MAKING THE OUTDOORS GREAT AGAIN
Kudos to the broadcast's use of outdoor spaces, like the roof of Florida Georgia Line House on Nashville's 3rd Ave., for performances like FGAGALine's "Last Day Alive" collaboration with Chainsmokerz.
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BEST: ALL HAIL QUEEN REBA
Before presenting Breakthrough Artist to Lauren Alaina, Reba reminisced about getting her own big break "in 19-none-of-your-business," she said, staring down the crowd, which erupted in laughter.
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BEST: LESS IS MORE
A stripped-down rendition of Keith Urban and Underwood's "The Fighter" was just as good, if not better, than the slick album version. (Also: How cute was Underwood, who is married to Predators captain Mike Fisher, when she later gave the team an enthusiastic shout-out?)
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WORST: WARDROBE WOES, PART 1
Voice alum RaeLynn and The Arrangement's Josh Henderson proved that indeed, there is such a thing as too much floral.
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WORST: WARDROBE WOES, PART 2
Esten gamely donned a "romp-him" for a sight gag that inspired Luke Bryan to caress the host's leg. (Somewhere in the auditorium, Heigl — and countless others, we're sure — yelled, "Get in line!")
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BEST: AURAL CAFFEINE
Just as the ceremony started to lag a little at the two-hour mark, Luke Bryan and Jason Derulo's theater-crossing performance of "Want You to Want Me" was a perfect party pick-me-up. Related: Holy dueling falsettos!