The Emmy memorial ceremony honoring the late stars of cinema and television took place on Monday night, paying tribute to prominent figures like Catherine O'Hara and Rob Reiner. This emotional segment featured a performance by Noah Kahan, singing Bridge Over Troubled Water by Paul Simon, in memory of those who have passed since the last ceremony.
Notable Absences
While the ceremony was a celebration of the lives and works of the deceased artists, Emmy viewers quickly pointed out significant absences. Among them were Nicholas Brendon, the star of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, who passed away in May due to complications from heart disease, and Chuck Norris, the star of Walker, Texas Ranger, who died at the age of 86 in March.
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Brendon's absence was particularly concerning for his fans, as Sarah Michelle Gellar and David Boreanaz were present at the ceremony and referenced their late colleague. Gellar stated in her speech, "Before we move on to the next award, we want to acknowledge that we have gone through two tough years for our actors and production team."
Negative Feedback on Social Media
Reactions to these absences continue on social media. Richard Newby tweeted, "How can you hold a reunion of Buffy and then exclude Nicholas Brendon?" Additionally, other users criticized Chuck Norris's absence, with some suggesting possible political reasons for this absence.
This year's memorial segment lasted over 10 minutes and included tributes to other stars like Dave Chappelle, Patrick Malone, and Peter Cullen. The Television Academy's website also dedicated a part of its memorial to stars who were not mentioned during the ceremony.
Ultimately, the ceremony began with a tribute to Catherine O'Hara, whose three cinematic children, Macaulay Culkin, Dan Levy, and Annie Murphy, honored her memory. Macaulay Culkin referenced two Home Alone films during the ceremony, saying, "She may have forgotten me... but we will always remember her."
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