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Just two daysafter fans and TV critics expressed their disappointment that Joan Rivers was omitted from the"In Memoriam" tribute at Sunday's Oscars, the legendary comedian'sdaughter Melissa Rivers has spoken out.
Melissa and Joan were always very supportive of each other as seen here at a 92nd Street Y event in New York Photo: Getty Images
"It would have been nice, especiallyconsidering the impact she had on the awards season," Melissa, 47,wrote in a statement posted on Joan’s fan page. "But Cooper (Melissa'sson) and I have been overwhelmed with support and love over my mom's passingand we choose to focus on that."
Melissa and son Cooper accepted a Grammy on behalf of Joan this year Photo: Getty Images
Despite notbeing recognized during the award show, Melissa aired a tribute video during E!'s Live From The Red Carpet Oscarspre-show. "It's hard to believe it was 20 years ago that my mother and I stood on this very redcarpet for the first time," she said during the clip, which airedhighlights from Joan's red carpet Oscars interviews. "My mom asked questions that nobody else daredto ask."
The mother-daughter duo have been staples on the red carpet for years Photo: Getty Images
Manytook to Twitter to announce their dismay in the Academy for the snub.Famous TV critic JamesPoniewozik wrote, "Did I miss Joan Rivers? Or did the Oscars?"And TV host Scott Nevins said,"Shameful that @TheAcademystill treated @Joan_Rivers likecrap even after death. Get over yourselves."
Arepresentative for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences quicklydefended their decision by releasing a statement. "Joan Rivers is amongthe many worthy artists and filmmakers we were unfortunately unable to featurein the 'In Memoriam' segment of this year's Oscar show. She is, however,included in our 'In Memoriam' gallery on Oscar.com," they said.
Meryl Streep opened the 'In Memoriam' tribute at the Oscars on Sunday Photo: Getty Images
The81-year-old, who passed away in September during what was supposed to be aroutine procedure, appeared in several films including The Muppets TakeManhattan and Spaceballs. She also wrote and directed the 1978comedy Rabbit Test.
Joan showed no signs of slowing down before her untimely death Photo: Getty Images
Broadwaylegend Elaine Stritch was another notable left out of the segment despite herwork in everything from 1957’s A Farewell to Arms to September to2005’s Monster-in-Law.