Why Joan Rivers was excluded from Oscars ‘In Memoriam’

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

The late Joan Rivers didn’t have to be at Sunday’s Oscars ceremony to make her presence felt.

Many fans were upset that Rivers, the caustic queen of so many red carpets, was not pictured during the annual In Memoriam TV segment that honors those connected to the film industry who have died in the previous year. Rivers died in September.

Asked about Rivers’ absence, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the group that oversees the Academy Awards, issued a statement:

Some Oscars viewers and plenty of media types expressed outrage at Rivers’ exclusion immediately after Sunday’s memorial segment, which featured the names and pictures of more than four dozen industry notables, including Robin Williams, James Garner, Lauren Bacall, Eli Wallach, Mike Nichols and others known for their work off-screen.

Viewers, including actor Michael Chiklis, quickly pointed out Rivers’ absence on Twitter.

Others also noted the omission of Elaine Stritch, Richard Kiel and Taylor Negron, among others.

Rivers, who drew the ire of some stars over the years for her unforgiving fashion commentary, was a mainstay on the red carpets that precede entertainment awards shows, including the Academy Awards. In addition, the comedian wrote and directed the 1978 film “Rabbit Test,” and her movie credits on IMDb.com include “Iron Man 3,’ “The Smurfs,” “Shrek 2” and “Serial Mom.”

Watch the “In Memoriam” segment from Sunday night’s Oscar telecast here.

AP