I don’t know if anyone else felt the same way, but the “In Memoriam” segment last night felt extremely flat to me. It’s not to say that it should be full of flavor and pizzazz. Quite the contrary. But there was just something sterile about the whole James Taylor sing-over same-old that didn’t sit well.
And then, they forgot to include Bea Arthur and Farrah Fawcett, which is a shame. There were probably more. But we remember you here!
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17 responses to “Forgotten”
I forgot about Bea myself, but noticed Farrah wasn’t mentioned…
Whoa I didn’t even notice! Bea <3!
No Edward Woodward. I understand Michael Jackson is incredibly famous but actual actors (with very good careers) can be so easily forgotten. harsh.
Thanks for remembering them here, Kris! Hopefully those that were too drowsy from last night’s shlock will take notice of them here as well.
This reminds me of the egregious oversight from the 80th, when poor, murdered Adrienne Shelly wasn’t included in the in memoriam. Someone needs to consult with these loonies. And this should be yet another indication Shankman should return to helming another Miley sequel.
Cha know, I get why people keep crapping on MJ’s conclusion but the fact of the matter is Thriller is the largest selling and most well known short film ever (well, maybe second to The Red Balloon in viewings). That alone should have warranted his inclusion. And if you think about it, what clips did they play for him? Thriller and The Wiz. And to us black folks, The Wiz is a classic.
I agree Kris, the segment this year was, dare I say, boring. I didn’t like the song James Taylor sang (he literally has dozens in his catalog to choose from), they forgot Farrah! and the fact that Demi Moore introduced it just made the whole thing, dare I say again, farcical and boring.
It’s weird because they only had to look at the wikipedia article “2009 in film”…
I did not like how they presented this AT ALL. Usually I like how they show clips from those who’ve passed, but I found the way the screen was split terrible and hard to follow. This should have been the easiest clip montage to produce.
They also forgot Wayne Allwine, the fourth voice actor behind Mickey Mouse.
But, then again, voice actors NEVER get recognition in these in memoriam montages, so it’s not like it was un-expected.
Is not that they were forgotten or was it specifically for Academy members?
Two giants known best for their television work…that is not to say they didn’t deserve mention.
My gripe is less about MJ and more about the EXTENDED tribute to John Hughes.
He’s made some classic teen angst comedies, but was he really the single most notable? Did he render the others less notable? I felt it was both unfair and a complete waste of time to give him his own segment, rather than include him among his fellow cinematic departees.
Totally agree on the John Hughes, Other James D. Touching, but unfair.
I think the John Hughes extended tribute was their way of saying:
“Uh-oh, the Academy made another boo-boo, without ever so much as nominating him for anything in his entire career, despite the legitimate classics he wrote, directed and produced, and with not having enough time to come up with the ghetto Life Achievement Award for the man, this way no one can ever say he wasn’t recognized by the Academy, because we’re bringing the Brat Pack to the stage to talk about him, and giving a special experience for his family. See, it’s all better! We did recognize him! We’re the only award show in the business that is in tune with the general public! See!”
It’s exactly what they mean when they call it an awards show. A show.
As for Michael Jackson being included, not only did I know he would be included, but I knew that they would be showing clips from The Wiz, which is helmed by bona-fide cinema legend, Sidney Lumet. Enough for me to agree that Jackson should have been included in a film memoriam tribute, despite my feelings for the man.
Another note: I cannot believe people are complaining about James Taylor doing a cover of a Beatles song. That’s gold right there. Gold.
Agreed. I usually get a lump in my throat during this bit, but not this year. Strange. But that’s just indicative of this year’s entire show. Expecting us to be entertained without giving us anything to be entertained by.
@Estefan
Wow, I completely forgot about Wayne Allwine. You would think voicing for 30 years the most popular character in the world would be enough to get him in the montage (Allwine voiced Mickey in the character’s return to shorts, for those who need a concrete movie connection), especially since the show airs on the network owned by the company that prides itself in saying that it all started with the mouse.
why are people up in arms over those two omissions? those two actresses were know for their TV work; they have much in the way of film careers. let the globes or emmys honor them