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Oscars FAIL? Did the Academy Snub Fawcett, Arthur?

fawcett_extremeties.jpg

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Last night's telecast of the 82nd Annual Academy Awards has been getting mixed reviews from viewers, from the interpretive dance segment, the pair of hosts, the fashion, The Hurt Locker's ousting of Avatar, and the presentation of the "In memoriam" segment honoring those who passed away this year. Whether you watched the broadcast or just followed the feedback live on Twitter you may have noticed that a couple of 2009 celebrity deaths did not make the cut.

In what some call a snub, others an omission, actresses Farrah Fawcett and Bea Arthur were not honored in the montage. While both are primarily known for their TV work, both appeared in numerous films; among Fawcett's film credits are Dr. T and the Women, Extremities, and The Apostle, and Arthur's Lovers and Other Strangers and Mame. Bearing mention, however, was Michael Jackson, whose film appearances were largely limited to his own music productions, cameos, and The Wiz.

The omission of Fawcett--for which the Academy has yet to address--sparked high-profile members of the entertainment to comment via Twitter, including Roger Ebert, who said "No Farrah Fawcett in the memorial tribute? Major fail" and Jane Fonda remarked: "And where was Farrah Fawcett? She should have been included #oscars #FAIL."

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