The Oscars have been criticised over its In Memoriam segment, with viewers calling the section “frenetic and unreadable”.
The part of the show honouring those who we’ve lost from the movie world over the last year featured photos of the late figures while Stevie Wonder’s ‘As’ played.
Viewers have criticised the Academy for the song choice, calling it “peppy” and “up-tempo”, suggesting the track was inappropriate for its purpose.
“There were so many weird things about tonight’s dreadful #oscars show, but perhaps nothing more puzzling than the choice of up-tempo music for the In Memoriam, which caused faces to fly by faster than you could read their names,” wrote one Twitter user. “At least it wasn’t ‘I’m Happy.’”
There were so many weird things about tonight’s dreadful #oscars show, but perhaps nothing more puzzling than the choice of up-tempo music for the In Memoriam, which caused faces to fly by faster than you could read their names. At least it wasn’t “I’m Happy.”
— Grant Butler (@GrantButler) April 26, 2021
The pace of the segment was a common complaint on social media after the show, with users calling out the Academy for speeding through it. “Wow, that In Memoriam segment was stressfully paced and edited,” one person tweeted. “Was the idea to make it so frenetic and unreadable that we couldn’t be saddened by the immense collective crushing loss?”
Wow, that In Memoriam segment was stressfully paced and edited. Was the idea to make it so frenetic and unreadable that we couldn't be saddened by the immense collective crushing loss? #Oscars
— Stephen Thompson (@idislikestephen) April 26, 2021
Another added: “Just got whiplash from that bizarrely fast in memoriam segment…”
Just got whiplash from that bizarrely fast in memoriam segment… #Oscars pic.twitter.com/IDuCwLLFgr
— Gibson Johns (@gibsonoma) April 26, 2021
Fans also criticised the segment for not honouring Glee star Naya Rivera and Arrested Development’s Jessica Walter. Although both actors were better known for their TV work, they also appeared in films throughout their careers.
See more reactions to the In Memoriam section below.
Okay, let's play the In Memoriam again but maybe not on double speed? I'm fine remembering those who passed away at least as long as we played Name that Tune a few minutes ago. #Oscars
— Dan Murrell (@MurrellDan) April 26, 2021
The 2021 #Oscars going through the In Memoriam on beat with the peppy song underscoring it
— Benny James (@BennyIsConfused) April 26, 2021
I still can't get over how bad that In Memoriam segment was. The #Oscars producers were hoping to capitalize on the loss of Boseman to close out the show, yet we got the worst excuse for an In Memoriam segment during the show.
— Joseph Kathmann (@Kathmajp) April 26, 2021
I just rewatched the Oscar In Memoriam 2021. Not only did they exclude Jessica Walter and composer Adam Schesinger, but it looks like they left out Honor Blackman as well. Of course, as fast as the In Memoriam was going it was hard to tell who they did include.
— Terence Towles Canote (@mercurie80) April 26, 2021
Am I the only one who thought the In Memoriam package was hurried, uninspired, and lacked emotion? #Oscars
— Bruce never-forget-Dems-are-the-majority Feldman (@BruceRFeldman) April 26, 2021
Nomadland was the big winner at this year’s Oscars ceremony, which take place as an in-person event in Los Angeles, with hubs in London and Paris. Attendees had to go through quarantine and multiple tests for COVID-19 before they could gain access to the ceremony.
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