Emmy Awards' In Memoriam segment leaves fans outraged after skipping Shelley Duvall and more

Fans were outraged when several beloved late stars were omitted from the 2024 Emmys' In Memoriam segment. 

During Jelly Roll's poignant performance of I Am Not Okay at LA's Peacock Theater, the tribute featured a screen montage of notable screen stars we lost over the past year, including Richard Simmons, Shannen Doherty, James Earl Jones, Gena Rowlands, Chance Perdomo, Carl Weathers, and Donald Sutherland.

However, some prominent names were notably absent from this tribute. 

Alongside Shelley Duvall, Chita Rivera, and Johnny Wactor, the list of omissions included director Eleanor Coppola, political commentator Lou Dobbs, and General Hospital star Tyler Christopher.

These individuals were instead acknowledged in a more comprehensive In Memoriam segment available on the Emmys website.

'shelley duvall was instrumental to children's television in the 80's & 90's, so it's beyond rude of the emmys to not include her in the memorial section,' one upset fan tweeted.

Another said, 'how dare they not include my queen shelley duvall in the memorial at the emmy’s i’m pissed #Emmys', while yet another simply posted, 'How do you forget Shelley Duvall, #Emmys'.

A Rivera fan chimed in, 'Sad that the #Emmys In Memoriam left out Chita Rivera, who starred or guested on tv's Will & Grace, The Outer Limits, Dora The Explorer, Mayflower Madam, the Carol Burnett/Judy Garland/ Dick Van Dyke/Ed Sullivan/Mike Douglas/Tonight Show, and so many others.

Duvall, the acclaimed actress and producer who passed away on July 11 at 75 due to complications from diabetes, was renowned for her role in Stanley Kubrick's The Shining. 

She also created the popular Faerie Tale Theatre and its spinoffs, including Tall Tales & Legends, Nightmare Classics, Shelley Duvall's Bedtime Stories, and Mrs. Piggle Wiggle. 

Rivera, the celebrated Broadway legend known for her iconic roles in Chicago and Kiss of the Spider Woman, passed away in January at 91, leaving behind a storied legacy in theater.

John William Wactor III, known for his roles as Brando Corbin on General Hospital and Johnny on Siberia, also appeared in Army Wives, USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage, and Supercell. He was tragically killed in downtown Los Angeles in May at the age of 37. 

Some fans were even outraged at the omission of Matthew Perry, who died on Oct. 28, 2023 at age 54 from the acute effects of ketamine.

"How in the world did the Emmy’s not include Matthew Perry?!?!" a fan tweeted, as another wrote, 'Matthew Perry helped to change the industry and he was a great human and he deserved to be recognized tonight!'

However, Perry was recognized by the Television Academy during their January Emmy Awards broadcast, which had been delayed because of the Hollywood strikes. 

The decision to have Jelly Roll perform the In Memoriam segment also sparked debate among fans. 

The rapper, 39, took the stage at the Peacock Theater with a performance of 'I Am Not Okay', though he left some confused with the song — which delves into the struggles of mental health and emotional turmoil — and others asking, 'Why was he the choice for this?' 

Jelly also offered a 'healing moment' for those mourning 'storytellers' at the event. He was backed by string musicians and introduced his own performance with a touching message.

'I believe that music is therapeutic. I believe that music can heal. I also believe that storytelling is just as cathartic. I hope this song can act as a healing moment for those who are mourning the storytellers we have lost this year.'

'If you are feeling lost or alone tonight then I want you to know that it's okay to not always be okay,' he added.  

He then sang the ballad as images of producers, writers, executives, crew members and performers who have passed away over the last 12 months were shown on screen.

Among those remembered in the tribute were actor Ryan O'Neal, presenter Phil Donoghue, fitness guru Richard Simmons, actress Shannen Doherty, and actors Carl Weathers, Donald Sutherland and James Earl Jones.

Veteran comedian Bob Newhart - who died in July aged 94 - was the final performer shown on screen.

The musician donned an all-black ensemble, and accessorized with a cross chain around his neck for the segment. 

Following his performance, fans took to Twitter to share their thoughts.

'Why was jellyroll the choice for this?' someone asked. 

'I am so sorry but having someone named "jelly roll" perform the in memoriam for the emmys is absolutely a 30 rock joke,' one wrote.

'Having a man called jellyroll do the in memoriam sounds like a 30 rock bit,' someone else concurred.

'jelly roll has to be one of the most random selections for an in memoriam performer i’ve ever heard,' another added.

'Dying only to have jelly roll sing a song about mental health during your in memoriam segment is so cruel,' someone else chimed in. 

Other fans complained about Jelly's face tattoos, writing, 'Can we see the people? Jelly Roll's face tats are really distracting.'

Yet another person posted a laughing meme with the caption: 'And now, to remember of the members of the Television Academy who we’ve lost…Jelly Roll.'

'Why does jelly roll infiltrate every award ceremony,' one more commentator asked. 

There was also a meme of a polar bear with the text overlay 'What da hell in a polar bear doing in Arlington Texas' and the caption, 'Why they got jelly roll at the emmys.'

'I love JellyRoll but this is an odd song choice for an in memoriam. #emmys.' 

Others had a more positive reaction to the performance.

'Thought this was a lovely tribute, especially for those of us who've lost someone & know the heartbreaking struggle that can mean for those of us left behind.' 

One laughing meme had the caption: 'Me when they announced someone named Jelly Roll was performing the in memorium song. But seriously, dude is fantastic.' 

'why did i just bust out laughing when they announced that the in memorium singer is…jellyroll (disclaimer i have never heard a jellyroll song in my life).'

Give an Emmy to the voiceover artist who said without a hint of humor, 'And now, joining us in tribute to the memories of our television family we've lost, Jellyroll.'

'"its ok to not always be ok." thanks for the reminder jellyroll,' someone else added. 

Hacks beat The Bear in a major upset for the top comedy honor as Shogun swept the board in the drama categories at the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards.

The HBO comedy starring Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder ended the night on top over the FX series and a very impressive field for Outstanding Comedy Series which also included Abbott Elementary, The Bear, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Reservation Dogs, Only Murders in the Building, Palm Royale, and What We Do in the Shadows.

Regardless of falling short in the top comedy category, The Bear earned early honors for stars Jeremy Allen White, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Liza Colón-Zayas.

The 33-year-old Brooklyn native Jeremy took home major honor in the Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series category for the second consecutive year.

He triumphed over Larry David, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Steve Martin, Only Murders in the Building, Martin Short, Only Murders in the Building, Matt Berry, What We Do in the Shadows, and D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Reservation Dogs.

Meanwhile, the 47-year-old New York native Ebon - who portrays Richie Jerimovich on the FX series - earned the win in the Outstanding Supporting Actor An A Comedy Series category for the second year much like Jeremy.

He beat out an impressive field including castmate Lionel Boyce in addition to Paul W. Downs, Hacks, Paul Rudd, Only Murders In The Building, Tyler James Williams, Abbott Elementary, and Bowen Yang, Saturday Night Live.

The wins kept coming for the critically-acclaimed series as Liza Colón-Zayas took home Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series.

The 52-year-old New York native - who is an actress and playwright - beat some high-profile names in the industry including: Carol Burnett, Palm Royale, Hannah Einbinder, Hacks, Janelle James, Abbott Elementary, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Abbott Elementary, and Meryl Streep, Only Murders In The Building.

Elizabeth Debicki was recognized for her work as Princess Diana in The Crown as she earned top honor Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series.

Baby Reindeer was a massive winner with four in the limited and anthology series categories as it earned top honor Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series in addition to three major awards with wins for Richard Gadd and Jessica Gunning including two for the leading man.