Las Vegas Sun

March 18, 2024

Transformers’ director walks off stage at CES

Press Day at 2014 CES

Steve Marcus

Director Michael Bay speaks during a Samsung Electronics news conference at the 2014 International Consumer Electronics Show on Monday, Jan. 6, 2014, in Las Vegas.

Updated Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2014 | 4:08 p.m.

Michael Bay walks off CES stage

While 2014’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas is where people will see apps that can determine blood alcohol content and communications devices people wear on their wrists, this year’s show may best be remembered as the one in which Hollywood film director Michael Bay fell victim to the machines.

Bay, who has made millions with his “Transformers” series of films, melted down and left the stage during an onstage presentation for Samsung, which introduced a 105-inch curved-screen ultra-high definition television at this year’s show.

During an onstage demonstration, a teleprompter for the speakers failed and Bay froze, stammered then walked offstage. It may have been the biggest CES meltdown since Bill Gates endured a computer crash in mid-demonstration of his Windows operating system at the 2005 show.

Video of the cringe-worthy incident at the International CES gadget show in Las Vegas circulated on social media sites late Monday and early Tuesday.

Bay wrote about the experience on his blog Tuesday.

“Wow! I just embarrassed myself at CES,” the post said. “I was about to speak for Samsung for this awesome curved 105-inch UHD TV. I rarely lend my name to any products, but this one is just stellar.

“I got so excited to talk that I skipped over the exec VP’s intro line and then the teleprompter got lost. Then the prompter went up and down — then I walked off. I guess live shows aren’t my thing.”

Bay directed the first three "Transformers" movies, with "Transformers 4" due in theaters in June 2014.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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