TV producer Shonda Rhimes is defending the Academy Awards’ choice to exclude Eric Dane from this year’s In Memoriam segment after fans expressed their discontent with him being omitted.
In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Rhimes explained that one reason why Dane was excluded is that the Oscars honor film stars, not television stars.
“Well, he’s not a movie star,” Rhimes said. “I feel like when the Emmys come around, he will be immortalized the way he should be. We can’t fault the Oscars for the fact that they’re looking at movies, and there were so many people who are lost. But Eric was unique to television. And I can’t wait to see what they do with him.”
@entertainmenttonight Shonda Rhimes is still in disbelief over Eric Dane’s passing, sharing it was a “huge loss” for the Shondaland family. The ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ creator also reacts to the #Oscars leaving Eric out of their In Memoriam segment. #shondarhimes #ericdane
♬ original sound – Entertainment Tonight – Entertainment Tonight
Expanded tribute still leaves notable names out
The Academy Awards expanded this year’s In Memoriam segment because so many notable people in the industry died. Among this year’s honorees were Robert Redford, Diane Keaton, and Rob Reiner.
Barbra Streisand sang part of “The Way We Were,” a film that starred her and Robert Redford, while honoree Rob Reiner was celebrated with appearances by Kiefer Sutherland and Meg Ryan. Diane Keaton’s segment was given extra time with host Rachel McAdams.
Despite the larger format, some of the honorees weren’t included in the televised segment. Some of the individuals omitted from the televised segment include James Van Der Beek, Dane, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Robert Carradine, June Lockhart, Bud Cort, and Brigitte Bardot.
Some of the individuals recognized only on the Academy’s official website include George Wendt, Julian McMahon, James Ransone, Danielle Spencer, Loretta Swit, and Demond Wilson.
Film focus sparks ongoing criticism.
Some of the individuals omitted from the segment include James Van Der Beek and Dane, who are best known for their television work but also have film credits. Other individuals recognized only in passing in the televised segment include CatherineO’Haraa, Robert Duvall, and Diane Ladd.
The omissions are continuing to fuel the ongoing criticism of the Oscars’ In Memoriam segment.
Last year, the lack of recognition for Michelle Trachtenberg on the telecast was disappointing to fans, given her passing just before the ceremony. Some of the other individuals omitted from the segment in recent years include Tony Todd, Chance Perdomo, Alain Delon, Olivia Hussey, and filmmaker Morgan Spurlock.
