
The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2014 is currently underway over in Las Vegas, giving the industry’s big players a chance to flaunt their wares and drum up publicity for the coming year. With so much shiny new tech on show, it will be difficult to pick an overall winner, but Samsung’s presentation earlier today with special guest world-famous director Michael Bay will no doubt go down as most memorable, though not as the South Korean company might have hoped.
There to discuss Samsung’s gorgeous new 150-inch curved TV set, the Transformers director fluffed his lines and promptly marched off stage, leaving executive vice president Joe Stinziano with little left to do but ask the audience to thank Mr. Bay for coming, prompting one of the most awkward rounds of applause in CES history.
Stumbling over his words from the outset, Bay came to a halt and audibly sighed just a few minutes into the presentation. There was then an awkward pause as he turned his back on the audience and rows of cameras capturing the event.
“The [teleprompter] type is all off, sorry,” the director somewhat irritably remarked a moment later before attempting to pick up where he left off. “We’ll wing it right now.”
Stalling but trying to remain upbeat, Samsung’s Joe Stinziano asked Bay to give his thoughts on the new TV set – the device that he had been hired to help promote at the event.
“I try to take people on an emotional ride and, um…” Bay began before stalling for a second time.
“The curve?” Samsung’s spokesperson suggested, gesturing to the glimmering TV standing directly behind them, “How do you think it’s going to impact how viewers experience your movies?”
But Bay was already gone.
“Excuse me. I’m sorry,” he muttered as he strode off stage-right.

As a director, it is perhaps understandable that Mr. Bay should feel more at home behind the camera than in front of it, but following this performance and, as tech site Engadget notes, an embarrassing incident during an LG presentation in 2009, perhaps he should stick to making movies rather than getting involved in corporate events from now on?
Here’s the full video:
Video/images via YouTube



Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
New Mt. Fuji overnight bus takes travelers from downtown Tokyo straight to the most popular hiking trail
Yoshinoya and Dragon Quest slaying scalpers with shift to made-to-order collaboration merch
Climbing season officially opens for Japan’s Mt. Hiyoriyama, the shortest mountain in the country
Tochigi man shares his family’s process for creating 16 years worth of rice paddy art
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
New Mt. Fuji overnight bus takes travelers from downtown Tokyo straight to the most popular hiking trail
Yoshinoya and Dragon Quest slaying scalpers with shift to made-to-order collaboration merch
Climbing season officially opens for Japan’s Mt. Hiyoriyama, the shortest mountain in the country
Tochigi man shares his family’s process for creating 16 years worth of rice paddy art
Tokyo revises accommodation tax amidst tourism boom, Airbnb rentals now included
7-Eleven Japan now has Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches, but how do they taste?[Taste test]
Raw chicken dishes to be regulated by Japanese government
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Foreign tourists injured in Nissan GT-R crash near Tokyo’s Shibuya Scramble Crossing
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
A visit to Sri Lanka’s knockoff knockoff Uniqlo (no, we didn’t stutter) to see its rare “Pikachus”
Japanese overnight sightseeing train returns for summer with ramen stops and ocean views
Sanrio Character Poll announces winners, Hello Kitty absent from top 10 in many countries
Starbucks Japan teams up with Converse Tokyo for a new limited-edition collection in honour of Tanabata
Don’t judge this Kiki’s Delivery Service book by its cover, because it’s not actually a book!
7-Eleven Japan releases chocolate cookies that taste like freshly baked melon bread
The quest for Dragon Quest Yoshinoya figure sets: Worth taking for fans, tricky for scalpers[Pics]
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
Japan launches first overnight Shinkansen bullet train between Tokyo and Osaka this summer
Japanese sweets shop sells an ohagi so exquisite it sells out by noon
Forget Tokyo go-karts – there’s a new way to sightsee on four wheels in Japan
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Tokyo revises accommodation tax amidst tourism boom, Airbnb rentals now included
7-Eleven Japan now has Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches, but how do they taste?[Taste test]
Raw chicken dishes to be regulated by Japanese government
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Foreign tourists injured in Nissan GT-R crash near Tokyo’s Shibuya Scramble Crossing
Japan now has a Pokémon airport that features every species of Flying-type ever[Video]
Famous sweets store in Ameyoko fills a bag with sweets and a show, but is it still worth it?
A visit to Sri Lanka’s knockoff knockoff Uniqlo (no, we didn’t stutter) to see its rare “Pikachus”
Japan to get new high-speed train connecting Haneda and Narita airports, ease overtourism
Potato-Chip-Flavored Dressing coming to stores in Japan
Japan moves to enforce language requirements for foreign nationals seeking permanent residency
Don’t judge this Kiki’s Delivery Service book by its cover, because it’s not actually a book!
The quest for Dragon Quest Yoshinoya figure sets: Worth taking for fans, tricky for scalpers[Pics]
Tokyo’s giant Pokémon Stamp Rally is back for 2026 with exclusive prizes up for grabs