Emmy Producers Respond to Cory Monteith Tribute Backlash
The Emmys will honor 'Glee' star Cory Monteith as part of a tribute to stars who passed away in 2013, along with James Gandolfini, Jean Stapleton, Jonathan Winters and Gary David Goldberg ... and not everyone is happy about it.
Emmy producer Ken Erlich told E! Online in a statement, "These five individuals brought us such great entertainment and joy, so having their close friends share personal remembrances is something that will be very meaningful for television audiences across the country and across the generations. And, our traditional In Memoriam segment will be presented in a unique new format that will give added importance to an already much anticipated segment of the Emmy show."
Monteith's costar, Jane Lynch, will pay tribute to him during the 'In Memoriam' portion of the program.
When they faced backlash for paying tribute to Monteith in the same section as more veteran actions, Erlich and Co. rightfully took a stand.
"It was a rather personal choice, but Cory's appeal was to maybe a little different generation than some of the others we're honoring," Ehrlich admitted. "We felt it needed to be represented, that at 31, he passed away under very tragic circumstances. And that it was important to be responsive to younger viewers, to whom Cory Monteith meant as much as perhaps these other four individuals meant to their own generations."
He added that he knows he can't please everyone. "No matter what we do, there will be people who feel we could have made other options, and done other things."
The Emmys will air this Sunday, Sept. 22 on CBS.