Without question, there is bound to be a lovely, special tribute to Robin Williams at the Primetime Emmy Awards Aug. 25, but the show’s producers are said to be approaching the whole question of “in Memoriam” segments with great care and sensitivity.
Last year, for the first time, as viewers will recall, the Emmys showcased a handful of deceased stars for individual tributes. In a sad irony, Williams himself fronted the one honoring his mentor, the late Jonathan Winters.
While honoring Williams this year is without controversy, the Emmy honchos are working hard to avoid a situation involving other departed stars, as happened last year.
Many had no issue with individual tributes to James Gandolfini, writer-producer Gary David Goldberg (“Family Ties,” “Spin City”) and Jean Stapleton — as well as Winters — but were upset that young “Glee” actor Cory Monteith was also treated that way, while Larry Hagman and Jack Klugman were overlooked.
