Fans Confused by Song Choice for Jelly Roll’s ‘In Memoriam’ Performance: ‘That Was Weird’
For the second time this year, fans felt frustrated by what they saw on TV during the Emmy Awards' In Memoriam tribute segment.
Back in January, the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards, which was delayed several months as a result of the actors and writers strikes, noticeably didn’t include several actors who passed away in the previous year, including Ray Stevenson, Joyce Randolph, Bill Hayes and others. Fans reacted with outrage to the exclusions online, with many questioning how the list of people included in the segment are chosen.
Eight months later, the awards show was back to its normal time slot, with the ceremony taking place at the the Peacock Theater at L.A. LIVE in Los Angeles, Calif., on Sunday, Sept. 15. Jelly Roll stepped onto the stage more than two hours into the show to introduce the portion of the event that honors those in the industry who have passed away in the last year.
The country music star performed his new song "I Am Not Okay" as photos of actors, directors and other industry professionals who lost their lives in the last year flashed on the screen behind him. Peter Marshall, Phil Donahue, Ryan O’Neal, Gena Rowlands, Richard Simmons, Shannen Doherty, Donald Sutherland and James Earl Jones were among the actors and actresses remembered during the segment.
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But while most agreed that Jelly Roll's performance was excellent, it was the song choice that stuck out to many viewers watching the ceremony at home.
"I love JellyRoll but this is an odd song choice for an in memoriam," one person wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
“I don’t mean disrespect to Jelly Roll (which already feels ironic) but choosing to sing a song about depression, suicidal thoughts and hanging on is a curious choice for the 'in memoriam' section of The Emmys. Did I miss something with the way these folks passed?" another X user asked.
“‘I am not okay’ as the song for the in memoriam… well these people certainly are not okay. They’re dead,” one person pointed out.
“Umm this In Memoriam song choice is so inappropriate and ill timed," declared one viewer as another tweeted, “That was weird (in memoriam).”
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Music aside, some fans also fell apart online as they wondered about late actors they expected to see included in the segment.
"How many people watch awards shows In Memoriam segments before they air? Someone always seems to be forgotten. Sometimes they’re two-time Emmy winners like Andre Braugher," one fan wrote.
There was particular outrage over the suspected exclusion of Friends star Matthew Perry, who died in October 2023.
"WAIT! Did they not put Matthew Perry on the In Memoriam????" one person demanded.
However, both Perry and Braugher were included in the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards' In Memoriam segment that aired in January, a fact that others pointed out in corrections issued to X users on the social media platform.
"Sorry, but I think they forgot MATTHEW PERRY," one person wrote before, minutes later, issuing a clarification: "My mistake, I forgot that in January they had the #Emmys and Matthew Perry appeared in that in memoriam. January was a long time ago."
"Everyone, Matthew Perry was in the in Memoriam back in January. They didn't forget him," another X user reminded viewers.
Next: Fans Approve of Daytime Emmys In Memoriam: 'How All Awards Shows Should Do It'
