You can argue about the Best Picture going to “Birdman” instead of “Boyhood” or “American Sniper.”

You can complain about the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences voters’ choices that messed up your office Oscar pool ballot.

But let’s agree on one thing: Snubbing Joan Rivers in the “In Memoriam” segment of the more than four-hour marathon telecast Sunday night was unfair.

The tribute was wide ranging with nods to mark the passing of many others including Mickey Rooney, James Gardner, Robin Williams and Lauren Bacall.

In the segment, the 120 tributes honored costume designers, directors, producers, executives, writers, a marketing executive, cinematographers, film editors and even a film critic/journalist.

Poets and writers Maya Angelou and Gabriel Garcia Marquez were honored.

But no Joan Rivers.

Joan was an icon in the entertainment industry.

For Hollywood and the movie industry, she also made the red carpet at the Oscars an event within an event. Joan, along with her daughter Melissa, created the Oscar night ritual of doing interviews with the stars and their significant others as they arrived and walked the red carpet.

Joan would pepper the movie stars and supermodels with pointed questions on their choice of fashion and other memorable questions that often led to Joan’s firing off a zinger or two at the talent.

“Who are you wearing?” became one of Joan’s most memorable red carpet lines.

So, what’s the deal Oscar executives? Why did you not pay tribute to this great lady of wit and wisdom?

She was a pioneer for women in the entertainment industry. She gave millions of people another reason to watch a self-serving awards show: A snarky red carpet show that often was more entertaining than the awards ceremony.

— St. Cloud Times, Feb. 24