The WTFs: John Travolta Introduces Idina Menzel at the 2014 Oscars as "Adele Dazeem"

As 2014 draws to a close, TheaterMania looks back on some of the most jaw-dropping stories of the year with the 2014 WTFs.

It was the flub heard round the world (or at least the world of Broadway): On March 2, 2014, John Travolta took to the stage of Hollywood's Dolby Theatre during the 86th Annual Academy Awards to introduce Idina Menzel, who was there to sing "Let It Go," her mega-hit anthem from Disney's Frozen. Instead, he looked right into the camera and did the following:

Gasp! Horror! How could Travolta so thoroughly butcher the name of the Tony Award-winning original Elphaba from Wicked? Twitter and Facebook immediately exploded with snarky comments. Travolta later apologized to Dazeem…errr…Menzel about the mistake, sending a huge bouquet of flowers to her dressing room at the Richard Rodgers Theatre (where she currently stars in If/Then).

But it was too late: Adele Dazeem was already a household name. Slate even created a widget to "Travoltify" any moniker.

Months later, at the 68th Annual Tony Awards, Jonathan Groff slyly referenced the incident when he introduced Menzel, mimicking Travolta's cadence to the syllable. One difference: He got the name right.

Hopefully, with the start of a new year, we can finally put Adele Dazeem to rest alongside Dan Quayle's "Potatoe."