NBC reject Gary Coleman tribute - One year from actor's death

**KingMikeJ** · 28-05-2011, 07:39 PM

gary coleman’s former manager vic perillo has been left disgusted by u.s. Tv executives after they refused to mark the anniversary of the tragic actor's death on saturday.

The diff'rent strokes star died on may 28, 2010 and perillo has been urging network bosses at nbc, the channel which aired the hit 1980s sitcom, to remember coleman by running a special tribute this week.

But his request was ignored by nbc heads and perillo is astonished by their apparent disregard for coleman, one of the most beloved child stars of his generation.

In a statement issued to wenn, perillo says, "gary was exclusive to nbc... He kept nbc in the top ten shows during the 1980's. The late president of entertainment brandon tartikoff personally heralded gary as responsible for keeping the network in the top ten.

"network producers and chief executive officers at nbc have responded with, 'we don't have time. We don't want to set a precedent,' and 'we are not interested'.

"i have asked that a simple 10 second picture flashed on the screen of the today show be shown with an inscription, 'in memoriam to one of nbc's family'... They could care less."

http://www.torontosun.com/2011/05/28...oleman-tribute

**** nbc.

**Love.him** · 28-05-2011, 10:35 PM

Did they do any tribute shows last year? Where there any on any other channels?

**cinzia** · 29-05-2011, 04:07 PM

Have networks ever done tributes to their former stars and actors in the past? Just asking 'cause I don't know...

**suzynyc** · 30-05-2011, 04:39 AM

It's sad. He made lots of money for NBC as a kid. They should have done some kind of tribute. Greedy corporations.

**Alma** · 30-05-2011, 01:26 PM

Yeah.. Totally sad. And he died so young too. Tinseltown is ruining so many lives, they're not worthy of talented people, they're always desperate to suck the life out of them, they end up as disposable garbage .

**Severus Snape** · 31-05-2011, 08:26 PM

Unsurprising. Once he outgrew his use to them, they forgot him. Quite disgusting.

**PoP** · 02-06-2011, 02:41 PM

That was a disprespectful move that NBC did. I bet Gary Coleman fans are really pissed off at them now.

**jrsfan** · 05-06-2011, 09:41 PM

There is this article that says Gary Coleman is not laid to rest as of May 10, 2011.

http://articles.nydailynews.com/2011...an-vic-perillo

Gary Coleman still not put to rest a year after death as family continues to fight over remains

BY CRISTINA EVERETT
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Nearly one year after his death, Gary Coleman is still not resting in peace.
Former manager Vic Perillo reveals that burial plans for the former child star, who suffered a fatal head injury during a fall in his Utah home last year, are still on hold because of a legal battle between Coleman's parents and estranged wife.
In an essay obtained by WENN, Perillo urges news networks to show more respect to the late actor by paying tribute with positive on-air coverage.
"This was not the proper and dignified manner to show respect for the magnificent talent the world TV and film audience knew in Gary Coleman. This was not the sendoff he deserved," Perillo writes.
"Unfortunately, we learn of the great works and noble deeds of a person upon their death and at their memorial," he adds. "Gary's deeds and contributions to the entertainment industry and other endeavors were overshadowed by the desire of the media to stay focused on the misfortunes of his life and all the negatives.

Gary Coleman stated in his will that he did not want a funeral or public memorial… (Loccisano/Getty)

Coleman was 42 when he died May 28 at a Provo hospital. Former wife Shannon Price, whom Coleman divorced in 2008 but continued to live with, made the decision to remove him from life-support.
He was unceremoniously cremated on June 17 and his ashes and property have since been stored until the courts finalize who the executor of his estate is.
Coming up on the first anniversary of Coleman's death, Perillo says he has contacted three major TV networks and asked them to honor the former child star's life onscreen, his work as a spokesman with the National Kidney Foundation and the many charitable endeavors he was involved with.
"The answer from the networks were, 'Not interested,' 'We don't have any time' and 'We pass...' Perillo writes. "To praise his work, talent and his person is of little interest to them. And yet, should his ex-wife, Shannon Price, or ['Diff'rent Strokes' co-star] Todd Bridges make a statement condemning his parents, they are given carte blanche time in the press. Have we lost our theatrical moral conscience?"