Why Norm Macdonald wasn’t included in Emmys 2022 ‘In Memoriam’
The Emmys’ In Memoriam segment was very moving, with help from John Legend’s emotional performance, but the segment forgot some stars we lost over the past year.
The Television Academy honored greats such as Sidney Poitier, Betty White and Bob Saget during the ceremony Sept. 12 at the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles.
Nevertheless, Twitter was quick to point out Norm Macdonald, who was nominated for an award himself, was left out of the televised tribute. The “SNL” star died in September 2021, but was nominated posthumously for “Norm Macdonald: Nothing Special” in the Variety Special (Pre-Recorded) category.
Fact check: Macdonald was included in the 2021 Emmys In Memoriam segment, since the show aired days after his passing.
Still, fans felt as though he should have been mentioned since he was nominated for an award.
“You’re telling me norm lost the emmy and wasn’t even in the in memoriam,” one angry viewer said.
“Did the Emmy’s really just leave out Norm Macdonald out of the in memoriam section after just nominating him for an award?” added another.
Other notable omissions included Olivia Newton-John, who died in August. As one person pointed out, the “Grease” actress was once the star of an ABC special.
“THE DISRESPECT FOR OLIVIA NEWTOM [sic] JOHN NO IN MEMORIAM TFFFF,” one fan wrote.
Fans also tweeted about James Michael Tyler, who played Gunther on “Friends,” being left out, too.
“They forgot James Michael Tyler on the In Memoriam 💔 #Emmys2022,” one fan wrote.
Although they weren’t included in the televised portion, a long list of names are posted on the In Memoriam section of the academy’s Emmys website.
Others were busy roasting Legend for his frequent performance for tribute segments at award shows.
“Is it me tho or, at this point, has John Legend sung for every In Memoriam on every awards show?” one person asked.
Legend, who is an EGOT winner, performed his new song “Pieces” for the poignant segment.
Last week, Reginald “Reggie” Hudlin, the show’s executive producer, told Deadline that the Emmys typically chooses a well-known song, and though he was skeptical, he opted to utilize Legend’s “moving song.”
“Normally we would not do a new song in a situation like this. We listened with skepticism which quickly turned to wild enthusiasm. This is a powerful moving song,” Hudlin said.
Hudlin noted that Legend would help to uplift during the portion of the show that honors fallen stars beloved by fans.
“You guys are all fans of John Legend, you know how he can grab straight in your heart and break you down,” he said. “A John Legend performance is always something to be excited about and the song is unique and special and uniquely suited to the context we’ll be putting it in.”
Legend’s self-titled eighth studio album, “Legend,” was released Friday.
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