A representative for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has defended the producers’ decision to omit Joan Rivers from the traditional In Memoriam segment at the Oscars on Sunday night, blaming time constraints for the snub.
Meryl Streep introduced the picture montage at Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre and Jennifer Hudson performed after celebrities like Robin Williams, Lauren Bacall, Bob Hoskins, Mike Nichols, Mickey Rooney and Maya Angelou were remembered at Hollywood’s big night.
However, Rivers, who died in September, was notably absent from the tribute, prompting fans and celebrity friends alike to express their disappointment online.
An Oscars spokesperson tells The Hollywood Reporter, “Joan Rivers is among the many worthy artists and filmmakers we were unfortunately unable to feature in the In Memoriam segment of this year’s Oscar show. She is, however, included in our In Memoriam gallery on Oscar.com.”
