2026 Emmy Awards In Memoriam Snubs Enrage TV Fans

The 2026 Emmy Awards wanted viewers to remember television’s biggest names. Instead, the show’s In Memoriam segment sparked anger after it left out several performers with long careers and loyal audiences. The ceremony, hosted by Law & Order: SVU star Mariska Hargitay, honored Catherine O’Hara, Rob Reiner, and others. Noah Kahan performed “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” while Dolly Parton received a musical salute. The broadcast also included names such as Sam Neill, Tim Curry, Hayden Panettiere, and designer Bob Mackie, who died Sept. 14, the day of the ceremony. But viewers quickly noticed who was missing. Walker, Texas Ranger star Chuck Norris was not included. Neither was Nicholas Brendon, who played Xander Harris on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Other omissions included Patrick Muldoon of Days of Our Lives and Melrose Place, Daveigh Chase of Lilo & Stitch: The Series and Big Love, Peter Cullen of The Transformers, Tom Kane of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, 30 Rock performer Grizz Chapman, and comedian Jaye P. Morgan. Brendon’s absence drew special criticism because the Emmys had just staged a Buffy the Vampire Slayer reunion on the same stage. Sarah Michelle Gellar and David Bor...