Jonathan Ross infuriates Oscars viewers with 'unnecessary' Matthew Perry comment
Jonathan Ross angered those watching the Oscars in Britain on Sunday night, thanks to the chat show host's comments about the Academy's tribute to Matthew Perry.
ITV provided coverage of the Oscars on terrestrial TV for the first time, with Jonathan dividing viewers as he presented studio segments in-between awards being handed out and excessive American ad breaks. But it was the film fan's quip about late Friends actor Matthew that really irked some watching British coverage of the Oscars.
The 'In Memoriam' section of the ceremony opened with a clip of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny who featured in the Oscar-winning documentary Navalny. Accompanied by a performance of Time To Say Goodbye, performed by Andrea Bocelli and his son Matteo, stars including Sir Michael Gambon, Harry Belafonte, Alan Arkin and British actor Julian Sands were remembered.
Jonathan Ross told ITV viewers Matthew Perry was 'not primarily known for his work in cinema' (AFP via Getty Images)Also featured were Andre Braugher, Tom Wilkinson, Glynis Johns, Jane Birkin, Ryan O’Neal, Robbie Robertson, Carl Weathers, Glenda Jackson, William Friedkin and Tina Turner. But it was Matthew's tribute that was the one everyone was looking out for, thanks to the BAFTAs snubbing the late actor in London last month.
"Welcome back. A touching tribute from the Academy there of some incredible performers and filmmakers sadly no longer with us. Always a sombre moment," Jonathan said as ITV coverage returned to the studio following the In Memoriam segment. The presenter then added: "It was nice to see Matthew Perry included, even though he's not primarily known for his work in cinema, they probably could have done it without him."
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"Jonathan ross’ comment on matthew perry was so f***ing unnecessary, what the f***," one Twitter (X) user fumed following Jonathan's observation, with another angry viewer adding to the thread: "Totally sick of ross and his chums now. Get this over with." A third just took issue with the ITV coverage in general, raging: "The biggest loser tonight is us Brits who have to listen to Jonathan Ross in the break. All these ITV lot have no idea what they’re talking about."
The ITV coverage didn't go down too well with British viewers (ITV)In addition to playing Chandler Bing in Friends for 10 series, Matthew also popped up on the big screen multiple times throughout his career. The late actor was known for his leading roles in films Fools Rush In (1997), The Whole Nine Yards (2000), Serving Sara (2002) and 17 Again (2009).
The Academy Awards paying tribute to Matthew on Sunday night comes just days on from the Friends actor's ex-girlfriend and former assistant, Kayti Edwards, calling on the Oscars to honour Matthew. Speaking exclusive to the Mirror, she said it was always his "dream" to be recognised at the ceremony.
She urged the bosses not to ignore him like the BAFTAs did last month, which upset many fans. Kayti also asked the police to look again into the investigation into his death because of his past with 'dodgy' medical staff who gave him drugs. In an exclusive chat just before the 96th Academy Awards ceremony, Kayti spoke about her ex and said that Matthew should be remembered in some way.
She said: "I know that it would mean a lot for him to be honoured at the Oscars in some way. I remember chatting with him about how he always dreamed of being recognised, not just for Friends. He knew that Friends won lots of awards ...but personally, I don't think he got one."
Matthew film roles included 17 Again with Zac Efron, The Whole Nine Yards and its sequel The Whole Ten Yards with Bruce Willis; Fools Rush In with Salma Hayek and A Night In the Life of Jimmy Reardon with the late River Phoenix. The Chandler Bing actor, who died in October, was snubbed at the BAFTAs in London last month, although the organisation say they will be honouring the late star at the TV awards later this year.
"I am not surprised at all by the backlash [to the BAFTA snub] ...he was so very well loved," Kayti says. "Although it's interesting as he had a love-hate relationship with his film career. He was always cast in a funny role or as the love interest but instead he always wanted roles that had more depth, and that were more meaningful."
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