Holly Robinson Peete Speaks Out
Holly Robinson Peete is not holding back when it comes to honoring her late friend Dr. Danielle Spencer.
The beloved actress and veterinarian, best known for playing Dee Thomas on the classic sitcom “What’s Happening!!”, was noticeably absent from the “In Memoriam” segment at the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards.
Holly took to Instagram to voice her frustration, writing:
How could the Emmys forget to mention my friend Dr. Danielle Spencer, our beloved Dee Thomas from “What’s Happening!!” in their ‘In Memoriam’??💔
She broke barriers, made us laugh, and inspired a generation. Make it make sense!
To leave her out is not just an oversight, it’s an injustice to her legacy.
We will honor her, even if they didn’t. ✊🏾
Her emotional post quickly resonated with fans who also questioned how such an impactful actress could be excluded.
See her original post below.
How The Emmys Handled The Segment
During the September 14 broadcast, the tribute was introduced by Phylicia Rashad, who honored Malcolm-Jamal Warner, followed by a performance of Vince Gill’s ballad “Go Rest High on That Mountain” by Lainey Wilson and Gill himself.
Images of television icons including Maggie Smith, Teri Garr, Ozzy Osbourne, Loni Anderson, and Quincy Jones were shown during the brief montage.
However, many viewers noticed that Dr. Danielle Spencer was not included, along with other notable names such as Val Kilmer, Gene Hackman, Terence Stamp, Polly Holliday, and Tony Todd.
Instead, the Television Academy later shared a longer seven-minute video on its website that did include Danielle Spencer, Val Kilmer, Gene Hackman, Irv Gotti, Cissy Houston, Ananda Lewis, and others who didn’t make the broadcast.
The Television Academy’s Response
In a statement, the Television Academy explained:
“Every year, the Emmy Awards and the Creative Arts Emmy Awards ceremonies each present an In Memoriam video.
Given only a few minutes to honor those who have passed, there is a limit on how many people can be acknowledged on the broadcasts.
We’ve presented a more extensive video, listing the hundreds of names of television colleagues we’ve lost in the past year.”
While the explanation highlights the time limitations of live television, it does not lessen the sting for fans and colleagues of those omitted.
Holly Robinson Peete’s heartfelt tribute reminds us that Dr. Danielle Spencer’s contributions to television and culture remain significant and deserving of recognition.
Your Thoughts?
Exclusions like these can feel deeply personal for families, friends, and fans who want to see their loved one’s impact celebrated on one of television’s biggest stages.
While the Emmys’ extended video attempts to address the issue, Holly Robinson Peete’s words capture the frustration many feel when icons like Dr. Danielle Spencer are left out of the spotlight.
Her legacy as Dee Thomas on “What’s Happening!!” will continue to inspire, regardless of an awards show’s oversight.
Frens, what do you think is the best way to handle these memoriams so that loved ones don’t feel slighted.
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