Many were surprised when Joan Rivers was left out of the Oscar In Memoriam montage. Not only because she appeared in films, but because she made the red carpet what it is today with the simple question — “Who are you wearing?”
Many reacted to the Oscar snub, but Joan Rivers’ daughter, Melissa Rivers, took a day before she released a statement via her Facebook page. The comedienne’s daughter didn’t say if she was surprised or shocked by the blatant omission, but she did say that the sentiment would have been nice.
Melissa shared her full statement on her mother’s snub.
“It would have been nice, especially considering the impact she had on the awards season, but Cooper and I have been overwhelmed with support and love over my mom’s passing and we choose to focus on that.”
One person who was outraged about Joan Rivers’ omission from the in memoriam list was fellow comedienne Whoopi Goldberg. Like most hot topics, Goldberg took to The View to address her frustration .
“It’s the last hoorah and … it doesn’t matter how many actors it is, or directors or producers or wardrobe people. Name them all. This is their moment,” Goldberg said.
“Everybody can stand to allow these folks, who have spent a lifetime in our industry, to be recognized.”
She continued, “They left folks out last year as well. Perhaps you want to re-think it because it’s the last time, the last time, we can applaud these people.”
In addition to Joan Rivers, Elaine Stritch was also left out of the ceremony.
Goldberg wasn’t alone in her frustration. Giuliana Rancic, who was by Rivers’ side on The Fashion Police, gave the Academy two middle fingers for leaving Joan out of the show.
Even viewers on Twitter took notice to Joan’s exclusion.
@EW DAMN RIGHT SUCH A HORRIBLE SNUB
— Iamdavideric (@IamDavidEric) February 23, 2015
@EW The woman was IN FILMS. Her exclusion was a TRAVESTY.
— Andee Ga (@andeesings) February 23, 2015
@EW @lcoco37 #Shame Academy Awards, Joan Rivers and Red Carpet were synonymous for 20 years, where was her memorandum?
— C.Awbrey (@clc202000) February 23, 2015
A rep from the Academy Awards did their best to explain to the Hollywood Reporter why Joan Rivers was left out of the tribute.
“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.”
That doesn’t sound like much of an explanation.
[Photo by Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images]
