SAG Awards: Fake applause track interrupts Reese Witherspoon

'What was that noise? It wasn't me'

Actress Reese Witherspoon speaks onstage at the 2015 Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards. (Kevork Djansezian | Getty Images)

If you thought fake applause was only reserved for episodes of Friends and other nineties sitcoms, think again - they're still useful for some of the biggest awards shows.

At Sunday's Screen Actors Guild Awards, there was a rather awkward moment when a slip-up by the sound man made many viewers realise that the actors in the room may not actually be that enthusiastic about each other's performances in this year's best films.

As Reese Witherspoon finished reading off the list of nominees for outstanding performance by a male actor in a supporting role, the apparent "real applause" in the room came to an end to await the name of the winner.

However, as Witherspoon began opening the envelope, a monetary sound of fake applause was blasted out over the silent hall, causing Witherspoon to glance confusingly around the room, while the audience reacted with a mixture of laughter and gasps.

J.K. Simmons reacts to fake applause

J.K. Simmons, who eventually won the award for his performance in Whiplash, must also win plaudits for his brilliant reaction to the bizarre twist to his crowning moment. Such a mistake like that, on such a big night, would not have gone down well with his on-screen character, Terrence Fletcher.

Robert Duvall, a man who's been in the business a long time, was fittingly undeterred by the sound fail.

Credit to Witherspoon as well, for shaking off the potentially embarrassing moment with style and wit, quipping, "What was that noise? It wasn't me".