The “In Memoriam” reel at the Oscars is a solemn moment, and will undoubtedly have us misty-eyed at this year’s big celebration. The Independent Spirit Awards, on the other hand, like to be irreverent and do things in a more informal, R-rated fashion. But how exactly do you mock the premise of the death reel without coming off as a wholly insensitive jerk, like the guy who snores at a funeral?
You do the opposite: have a reel for people who did not die this year. And while it may not seem completely on the cutting edge to set it to Pearl Jam‘s “Alive,” trust us, that’s still newfangled rock to some of the longtime veterans of showbiz. Plus how do you resist Andy Samberg as Eddie Vedder?
Not In Memoriam: @AndySamberg‘s tribute to the stars who are still alive. #SpiritAwards pic.twitter.com/KPgI0PLT3E
â IFC (@IFC) February 25, 2017
We figured Hailee Steinfeld would be okay. Milos Forman falls into the “good to know” category. And now we know that Matt Damon sometimes goes by “Mattie D-Bones,” but you probably shouldn’t call him that if you meet him. Samberg’s delivery throughout just might make you feel like you’re watching the MTV VMA’s of 1994, for Vedder and for verse, and that’s hardly a bad thing; the number ends with a surprise we won’t spoil, but it’s a perfect punchline delivered by just the right accomplice (no, not Justin Timberlake. Or Michael Bolton).
Who else should he have saluted who’s still alive? Could Timberlake play Chris Cornell in an ultimate grunge-off? Let us know your thoughts below!