The most awkward thing that can happen on a live reality TV finale happened today: Sarah Murdoch, daughter-in-law of Rupert and host of Australia's Next Top Model, crowned the wrong winner. Two minutes of cheering later, she realized her error.

Sarah, the supermodel wife of News Corp. drop-out Lachlan Murdoch, announced that contestant Kelsey Martinovich had won the show and that Amanda Ware was runner-up. A sea of teenage girls began to scream. Everyone hugged and wept. Suddenly, Sarah's hands flew to her face. "I don't know what to say right now," Sarah said with wide eyes. "I'm feeling a bit sick about this." Watch the whole terrible tableau unfold, or scroll to 1:00 for Murdoch's meltdown:

[There was a video here]

Apparently "miscommunication" led to Murdoch being "fed" the wrong answer. The show is awarding the Kelsey $25,000 to apologize for the error. Amanda—the real winner—gets $20,000 cash, an eight-page Harper's Bazaar spread, a modeling contract, a $25,000 Levi's campaign, a car, and a trip to New York. Damn, that is a lot of loot. [Sydney Morning Herald via davidmackau]