Adam Klugman Says Emmys Disrespected Father Jack Klugman By Excluding Him From 'In Memoriam' Tributes; Bitter At Cory Monteith's Inclusion

Jack Klugman’s son, Adam Klugman made it clear that he was not pleased his father, who died this year, would not be honored individually at the 2013 Emmy Awards Sunday night, but that Cory Monteith would be singled out for his contributions to television.

“They’re celebrating this self-inflicted tragedy [Monteith’s overdose] instead of celebrating the life of my father, who won three Emmys… Cory Monteith never won an Emmy,” Klugman said.

Klugman’s father, Jack Klugman, was a television actor for over 50 years and died in December 2012 at the age of 90. Klugman stared in iconic television shows such as The Odd Couple (1970-1975) and Quincy M.E. (1976-1983). Over his career, Klugman received ten Emmy nominations and won three.

Klugman was included in the traditional “In Memoriam” montage, however, this year the Emmys singled out five notable TV contributors to pay special tribute to in various moments throughout the show. These five included James Gandolfini (The Sopranos), Jonathan Winters, Gary David Goldberg (producer of Family Ties), Jean Stapleton and Cory Monteith.

Klugman was furious that his father was denied such recognition in favor of the 31-year-old Monteith, who is known for his role as Finn Hudson on Glee and has never been nominated for an Emmy. Klugman believes that celebrating Monteith in such a way is a clear ploy to pander to younger viewers.

“Let’s call this what it is. They’re doing this because they think they’re gonna get a younger generation of viewers to watch,” Klugman told Los Angeles Times.

Executive producer of the Emmys Ken Ehrlich released a statement explaining his decision, saying that he wanted the “In Memoriam” segment to be inclusive of all generations of television lovers:

“Every generation of television viewers has its favorites, and when we decided to expand the ‘In Memoriam’ segment to remember certain individuals, we wanted these pieces to be representative as well. To a younger generation, Cory Monteith’s portrayal of Finn Hudson was highly admired, and the producers felt that he should be included along with the four other individuals we have singled out.”

Before the Emmy broadcast on Sunday, Klugman seemed to have come to terms with his father’s place in the “In Memoriam” segment.

“Tonight is for celebrating, and I know my father would not want me or his name associated with anymore negativity. I feel that I’ve said enough, it’s time to move on,” Klugman told ABC News in a statement.

– Olivia Truffaut-Wong

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