Dan shared with TMZ that, while fans are hurt, he views the situation as minor compared to what Shelley went through in her final years. Duvall battled diabetes, a struggle that took a toll on her health and ultimately led to her passing in July.
Despite the omission, Dan said he actually enjoyed the "In Memoriam" segment, praising Jelly Roll’s emotional performance. He also mentioned that icons like Richard Simmons and Shannen Doherty were honored during the show.
Dan understands the frustration from Shelley’s fans but urged them not to be too upset. He reminded them that life is too short to dwell on such things. Since Shelley’s passing, the outpouring of love and support from fans has been overwhelming, with many reaching out to offer their condolences.
While Shelley is most famous for her roles in films like The Shining, she also had two Emmy nominations for her work in children’s shows during the '80s and '90s. This fact further fueled fan outrage over her exclusion from the Emmys tribute. Despite this, Dan continues to appreciate the support and positive messages from fans, focusing on the bigger picture.