Farrah Fawcett and Bea Arthur Not Worthy of Oscar Tribute?

The biggest upset on Oscar night wasn’t in one of the top categories, like Best Director or Best Picture, rather it came from the “In Memoriam” tribute to actors and filmmakers who had died over the past year. More specifically, the fact that Farrah Fawcett and Bea Arthur were left out of the tribute, completely. Meanwhile, Michael Jackson, made the cut.

Does that make any sense? The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences maintains that the tribute is reserved for people who had an impact on film. True, Farrah and Bea weren’t major movie stars, they were primarily TV actresses, but if an impact on film is the primary requirement to make it into the segment, how on earth does Michael Jackson get a spot? Yes, he was the biggest singer/entertainer on the planet. But, if he got a spot in the tribute, then without a doubt Farrah and Bea should have been in there as well. According to her IMDB page, Farrah was in at least 10 films. Sure, none of them were great, but 10 films and an iconic TV career should have been more than enough to get a little posthumous recognition from the Academy. Right? As to Bea Arthur, she was a seasoned actress by the time Michael Jackson was born in 1958.

And the fact that the Academy is unapologetic is completely insulting to the fans and families of the actresses. It just seems inane that they would use an excuse like, “not everyone who passed during the year can be included.” What a cruel kiss-off.

In related news, John Hughes got a seven-person, six-minute-long tribute to his life and work. Even in death, the Academy plays favorites.

(Image via dailynews)