Cory Monteith criticized for Emmys tribute

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Cory Monteith criiticised for Emmys tribute

Jack Klugman's son doesn't believe Cory Monteith deserves to be honored at the 65th Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles this evening (09.22.13).

The late 'Odd Couple' star's son Adam Klugman has criticized organizers of the ceremony for planning a special tribute to the 'Glee' star, 31, who was found dead in his hotel room in Vancouver, Canada, in July, after overdosing on heroin and alcohol, instead of his father.

He told the Los Angeles Times: "They're celebrating this self-inflicted tragedy instead of celebrating the life of my father, who won three Emmys.... Cory Monteith never won an Emmy."

Adam said that he has nothing against Cory but believes his father, who died in December at age 90, deserved the special honor more, adding, "to compare the contribution he made to the contribution my father made -- it doesn't compare.

"It's an insult and it really seems typical of this youth-centric culture that has an extremely short attention span and panders to only a very narrow demographic."

Producers have selected five people to be recognized during the special In Memoriam segment - including Cory, 'Sopranos' star James Gandolfini, producer Gary David Goldberg, actress Jean Stapleton and actor Jonathan Winters - and friends of the late stars will share memories and tributes.

Executive producer of the Emmys, Ken Ehrlich defended the decision to remember Cory, saying: "To a younger generation, Cory Monteith's portrayal of Finn Hudson [on 'Glee'] was highly admired, and the producers felt that he should be included along with the four other individuals we have singled out."

The 65th Primetime Emmy Awards will be broadcast live on US channel CBS.