August 24, 2014 10:43 PM EDT
The VMAs tend to be highly organized, with introductions for every award and every act. But Robin Williams’ tribute went unannounced, lasted only 23 seconds, consisted of a few pictures and ended immediately without applause or explanation. Also, it was set, somewhat inexplicably, to Coldplay.
Expect the late comedian to get a much longer tribute at the 2014 Emmys.
See Photos of Celebrities on the Red Carpet at the 2014 VMAs Taylor Swift attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Kevin Mazur—WireImage/Getty Images Jennifer Lopez attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Larry Busacca—Getty Images Ke$ha attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Jason Merritt—Getty Images Miley Cyrus attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Larry Busacca—Getty Images Kelly Rowland attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Frazer Harrison—Getty Images Iggy Azalea attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Jeff Kravitz—FilmMagic/Getty Images Solange Knowles attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Steve Granitz—WireImage/Getty Images Singer Demi Lovato attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Jason Merritt—Getty Images Laverne Cox attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Steve Granitz—WireImage/Getty Images Jordin Sparks and Jason Derulo attend the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Kevin Mazur—WireImage/Getty Images Actress Julianne Hough attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California.. Jeff Kravitz—FilmMagic/Getty Images Gwen Stefani attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Christopher Polk—Getty Images Ed Sheeran and Sway attend the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Kevin Mazur—WireImage/Getty Images Nicki Minaj attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Steve Granitz—WireImage/Getty Images Chloë Grace Moretz attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Frazer Harrison—Getty Images Alexandra Shipp attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Jason Merritt—Getty Images Charli XCX attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Jason Merritt—Getty Images Sarah Hyland attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Kevin Mazur—WireImage/Getty Images Ariana Grande attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Jason Merritt—Getty Images Tyler Oakley attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Jason Merritt—Getty Images Lucy Hale attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. Steve Granitz—WireImage/Getty Images Greer Grammer attends the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California.. Kevin Mazur—WireImage/Getty Images More Must-Reads from TIME Where Trump 2.0 Will Differ From 1.0 How Elon Musk Became a Kingmaker The Power—And Limits—of Peer Support The 100 Must-Read Books of 2024 Column: If Optimism Feels Ridiculous Now, Try Hope The Future of Climate Action Is Trade Policy FX’s Say Nothing Is the Must-Watch Political Thriller of 2024 Merle Bombardieri Is Helping People Make the Baby Decision