A controversial decision by this year’s Academy Awards team has been labelled a “disgrace’ by a number of furious viewers.
Oscars viewers have lashed out at this year’s organisers over the decision to exclude a number of notable and beloved actors from the In Memoriam tribute.
The segment ran longer than usual this year due to the number of Hollywood heavyweights who needed to be included, such as Rob Reiner, Diane Keaton and Robert Redford.
There wasn’t a dry eye in the house as Barbra Streisand honoured her The Way We Were co-star Redford with a performance of the film’s titular song, while numerous stars appeared on stage to pay tribute to Reiner, and actress Rachel McAdams represented her The Family Stone castmate Keaton.
Catherine O’Hara, Robert Duvall and Diane Ladd were also recognised on screen during the emotional portion of the glitzy awards show, hosted by Conan O’Brien.
However, plenty of well-known figures didn’t make the cut for the In Memoriam. In particular, James Van Der Beek, Eric Dane, Brigitte Bardot and Robert Carradine left plenty of fans outraged, taking to social media to express their disappointment.
One called it a “pretty astounding miss”, while another asked bluntly: “How do they get this wrong every year?”
“What a disgrace,” a furious viewer wrote.
“Wow! #Oscars you missed the mark on who you left out of the In Memoriam,” said a different viewer.
“Although included on your website you left out James Van Der Beek, Robert Carradine, Richard Chamberlain, Eric Dane, Brigitte Bardot who all deserved to be on camera.”
Others who were only mentioned on the Academy’s website included Australian actor Julian McMahon, George Wendt and Malcolm-Jamal Warner.
Meanwhile, in case you missed it: check out our recap of the ceremony highlights – and all the red carpet hits and misses.
