‘Distasteful’ Robin Williams Autopsy Documentary Causes Uproar
Channel 5 is currently under fire for a “distasteful” documentary program about Robin Williams’ last hours. Instead of shedding some light into the cause of the actor’s suicide, the documentary entitled Autopsy: The Last Hours of Robin Williams elicited all sorts of negative reactions from mourning fans.
On social media, grieving fans of the late actor expressed their disapproval over the documentary. One Twitter user found the documentary to be particularly disturbing. She tweeted, “The self harm footage acted out by a Robin Williams lookalike was so distasteful & disturbing.” Another thought that it was too graphic and “unnecessary.”
The self harm footage acted out by a Robin Williams lookalike was so distasteful & disturbing!
— Rachael Lois Penman (@lois_penman) April 22, 2015
Other social media users also said that Channel 5’s program isn’t exactly a good way to commemorate Williams. A fan tweeted, “Watching Autopsy: Robin Williams… I hate shows like this they should just let him rest in peace & remember him by the true legend what he is.”
Watching Autopsy: Robin Williams…I hate shows like this they should just let him rest in peace&remember him by the true legend what he is.
— Ben (@BGagaDelRey) April 22, 2015
To all those saying the Robin Williams “autopsy” programme was in poor taste… You are entirely correct.
— Dan (@SuffolkDan) April 22, 2015
Another fan felt the same way as she wrote, “Robin Williams seemed to keep a lot to himself and I can’t help but think how he would feel about them making a show on his death. Idk man.” Most of Williams’ fans also thought that the show was released way too soon. People are still recovering from the actor’s tragic death especially his friends and family.
Robin Williams seemed to keep a lot to himself and I can’t help but think how he would feel about them making a show on his death. Idk man.
— Ems (@TaintedFxck) April 22, 2015
Feel so sad & upset after watching #RobinWilliams Autopsy.Undiagnosed dementia on top of Parkinson’s depression & more.Heart goes out to him — Lynne Hall (@lynnehall) April 22, 2015
If you have been affected by the issues raised in our #RobinWilliams programme, please see our support page: http://t.co/bxKdtAD5RG — Channel 5 (@channel5_tv) April 22, 2015
The only issue which has affected people is @channel5_tv lack of dignity &respect shown by tonight’s dreadful &insensitive autopsy programme
— Sally (@_Sa11y_) April 22, 2015
One of Williams’ close family friends spoke out against the show, calling out the producers of Channel 5 by saying that they “should be ashamed of themselves.” The friend explained that Williams’ family is still having a hard time coping with the loss and that the program isn’t doing them any good.
“With each passing day the pain for Robin’s family eases just a fraction but something as disturbing as this just takes them backwards. Why anyone would want to make such a program is beyond comprehension. His wife and family will be utterly dismayed that someone is seeking to profit from Robin’s death in such a grotesque way,” the friend said.
The only response that Channel 5 made was a statement through their spokesman, claiming that the show “celebrates Robin’s career and talent, and within that the tragic details of his death are part of that story.”
The documentary, which aired on April 22, revealed some shocking findings about Williams’ last evening. The show claimed that before hanging himself, the actor cleaned up his own blood after slashing his wrists. It also depicted a dramatization of Williams stuffing his watches into a sock and giving it to a friend for safekeeping.
[Image via Wochit Ent]
