The annual "In Memoriam" portion of the Emmy Awards on Sunday night included the late, famed film critic Roger Ebert, but his placement in the show apparently offended some viewers who believed the 70-year-old deserved more airtime.
Ebert was among those included in a photo montage honoring those the world lost throughout the year. But throughout the show, five television personalities received longer, dedicated mentions: "The Sopranos" star James Gandolfini, "All in the Family's" Jean Stapleton, actor-comedian Jonathan Winters, "Family Ties" writer Gary David Goldberg and "Glee" actor Cory Monteith.
Larry Hagman, Jack Klugman, Eileen Brennan, Roger Ebert all deserved better than a black and white still and a cellist. Just saying. — Michael Tammero (@FOXlightMichael) September 23, 2013
Larry Hagman, Roger Ebert and Jack Klugman should've received more than three seconds of remembrance. #Emmys — Michelle Hals (@michellehals) September 23, 2013
No tribute for even Roger Ebert #Emmys — crazedmom (@crazedmom) September 23, 2013
Roger Ebert needed a very special tribute — Michael Schwartz (@mikemovie) September 23, 2013
Ebert earned several Emmy awards in the 80s and in 1994 for his television work. He died in April after a years-long cancer fight.
Monteith's inclusion in the group of selected tributes was controversial even before the ceremony. But actress Jane Lynch on Sunday said her former co-star's untimely death "is a tragic reminder of the rapacious, senseless destruction that is brought on by addiction."
Others included in the In Memoriam tribute included Sir David Frost, Dennis Farina, Annette Funicello, Eydie Gorme, Dale Robertson, Larry Hagman, Leslie Frankenheimer, Conrad Bain, Maxine Stuart, Lee Thompson Young, Preston Davis, Alan Kirschenbaum, James Loper, Lou Myers, Milo O'Shea, Fran Bascom, Lois Smith, Emily Squires, Bonnie Dore, Eileen Brennan, Bonnie Franklin, Russell Means, Milt Hoffman, Jack Shea, Jeanne Cooper, Allan Arbus, Henry Bromell, David Connell, Charles Durning, Richard Matheson, Harry Carey Jr, Ken Venturi, Pat Summerall, Steve Sabol, Alex Karras, Jack Klugman, Jenni Rivera, Eddie Michaels, Michael Ansara, Charles Lisanby, Fay Kanin, Emenuel Steward, Ray Dolby, Julie Harris, Deborah Raffin, Patti Page and Andy Williams.
