Chris Rock to Be Host of Academy Awards

[edonline]

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/entertainment/9918505.htm

Posted on Thu, Oct. 14, 2004

Chris Rock to Be Host of Academy Awards

ANTHONY BREZNICAN
Associated Press

LOS ANGELES - The golden Oscars will be fused with Rock this time around, as the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Chris Rock as the host of the 77th Academy Awards telecast.

Rock, 39, who has acted in the films "Head of State" and "Dogma" and was a "Saturday Night Live" regular but is best known for his standup comedy specials "Bigger & Blacker," "Bring the Pain" and "Never Scared."

Rock has previously hosted the MTV's Movie Awards but this will be his first stint as Oscar host.

"I am a huge fan of Chris Rock," said Gil Cates, the producer of the Oscars telecast. "He always makes me laugh and he always has something interesting to say. Chris represents the best of the new generation of comics. Having him host the Oscars is terrific. I can't wait."

Rock, a Brooklyn native, made his screen debut with a bit part in "Beverly Hills Cop II" but made his breakthrough on "Saturday Night Live" but his comedy routines, which tweak the racial sensitivities of blacks and whites established him as a star.

He has won three Emmy Awards for his TV programs and two Grammy Awards for his comedy albums. Rock currently is shooting a remake of "The Longest Yard" with Adam Sandler and recently provided the voice of the zebra in the animated feature "Madagascar," both to be released in May 2005. His other film credits include "Head of State," "Bad Company," "Down to Earth," and "Nurse Betty."

The 77th Academy Awards telecast is set for Feb. 27.

[SAI]

Cool. I like Chris Rock, he's a funny funny guy and i think its a good idea to get some newer blood hosting the Oscars.

[jeo4]

I agree.

[Nicholas_Kross]

http://www.funnycomedymovies.com/davechapelle_opt.jpg

I guess I will just have to wait my turn....

[Squid Vicious]

Finally, the Oscars will have someone funny hosting....

[SykkBoy]

I just read this too
this will either be the greatest Academy Awards in history or the biggest tainwreck...either way, I'll be tuning in and watching the whole broadcast for once ;-)

[therealjohng]

Rock is a good choice, but the Academy should just offer Crystal a contract to do them every year. That guy never dissapoints. Never.

[Korny]

Chris Rock is a horrible choice, but i guess they haven't had a black person host the awards for a while, so its inevitable.

[Pain In Da Azz]

i think chris rock is a bad choice too. they need someone with natural humor and not someone who is just going to put people down to get a laugh. but when have they ever had a black person host the oscars?? is this the first time?

[The Heart Collector]

Oh my god, this is going to be absolutely hilarious.

[Jaywrx]

Originally posted by Pain In Da Azz
i think chris rock is a bad choice too. they need someone with natural humor and not someone who is just going to put people down to get a laugh. but when have they ever had a black person host the oscars?? is this the first time?

I think Whoopi Goldberg held it the year Chicago won...

[Villain]

He's going to piss off alot of celebs that can't take a joke .. i'll tune in .:D

[Antonio]

LET THE EXPLETIVES FLY!

[Strider]

Hmm. I never would have thought the Academy would go for someone like Chris Rock to host. It's a little surprising. Anyway, I think it's a solid choice. It's about time some fresh blood is injected into the hosting gig. I do like Rock, but much more when he's uncensored. And needless to say, Rock will most likely be severely toned down for the show, in order to please the Academy. I'm looking forward to it, though.

Strider

[Lazy Boy]

I remember the time Rock presented an award at the Oscars. It was the same year that Elia Kazan was getting a liftime award, and everybody know the controversy surrounding him that year. So, Rock decides to make some sort of joke about "rats" or something (anybody remember the direct quote) and it went over like a fart in church. Some audible groans, smattering of boos, etc.

Still, he's a funny, funny guy. His last special cracked me up, I was so in tears. Good choice, somebody fresh.

[The Other]

I think this is EXCELLENT news. I think Chris Rock is funny as hell! And I'm tired of Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg and Steve Martin hosting. They aren't all that funny, IMO.

[A.J. Hakari]

One word:



PLASTICS.




Oh, wait, wrong word.


One word:




NICE

[Villain]

At least he's not going to do a big song & dance production at the start of the show . Or will he ?:confused:

[sharkstank]

Originally posted by Antonio
LET THE EXPLETIVES FLY!

we can only hope..
great news though

WWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[therealjohng]

Originally posted by Lazy Boy
I remember the time Rock presented an award at the Oscars. It was the same year that Elia Kazan was getting a liftime award, and everybody know the controversy surrounding him that year.



Actually, no. What was the controversy that year?

[The Heart Collector]

That he was a snitch during the Hollywood blacklist and communist witch-hunt periods, so Chris Rock joked that they better keep Kazan away from DeNiro because DeNiro doesn't like rats.

[ilovemovies]

Not only that, but he never apologized for doing it.

[Pain In Da Azz]

did people laugh or was it more of an insult?

[BadCoverVersion]

Originally posted by Korny
Chris Rock is a horrible choice, but i guess they haven't had a black person host the awards for a while, so its inevitable.

Here's a thought.

Rock just might've bagged the 'gig' on his own merits...him being a young and successful comedian at the top of his game and all.

I heartily dig this choice.

[kungfuchris]

Originally posted by ilovemovies
Not only that, but he never apologized for doing it.

Oh well he should not have been a snitch.

[KTJ2004]

I think having Chris Rock hosting will be interesting...I mean, I have always liked Billy Crystal, but Rock might be able to pull it off.

[Nicholas_Kross]

Originally posted by kungfuchris
Oh well he should not have been a snitch.

what did he snitch on? seems to be a big deal? did he cost people their jobs or something?

[Lazy Boy]

Named names during the Communist blacklist in Hollywood, cost many people their jobs and livelihoods. Seen as a snitch because he wanted to keep his job and was willing to sell out his friends in the film industry.

[Kastman]

I don't care who hosts as long as they dont get that fucking gary shandling cunt to do it.


he is the most unfunniest pisece of shit in the history of the world.


chris sock should be good though, he's actually funny. who cares if he needs to put people down to get laughs, putting people down is funny, and thats all that matters.

[therealjohng]

Originally posted by The Heart Collector
That he was a snitch during the Hollywood blacklist and communist witch-hunt periods, so Chris Rock joked that they better keep Kazan away from DeNiro because DeNiro doesn't like rats.


That's actually pretty damn funny.

[paul calf]

if the guy's movie's are anything to go by this is an absolutly diabolical decision the guy's about as funny as rabies.

[The Heart Collector]

I can see the CATWOMAN jokes already.

[Briare Rabbit]

People need to realize that the Hollywood blacklist was an awful thing that happened a long time ago. A lot of people on the blacklist had jobs after it ended,m they won awards (Ring Lardner Jr for M*A*S*H comes to mind). Kazan was one of many luminaries who testified. It also included David O Selznick, Louis B Mayer, Walt Disney and Gary Cooper, among others. But their names are never disrespected.

Rock's an awful choice though.

[kungfuchris]

Originally posted by Briare Rabbit
People need to realize that the Hollywood blacklist was an awful thing that happened a long time ago. A lot of people on the blacklist had jobs after it ended,m they won awards (Ring Lardner Jr for M*A*S*H comes to mind). Kazan was one of many luminaries who testified. It also included David O Selznick, Louis B Mayer, Walt Disney and Gary Cooper, among others. But their names are never disrespected.

Rock's an awful choice though.

Well if there was a thread devoted to one of them, or about the hollywood blacklisting in general I am sure they would be discussed.

[GingerNjack]

I think Chris Rock is definitely going to liven things up a bit.

[agentsands]

Should be interesting. He's a bit "one track" in his humor, but at least it won't be dull.

[The Engraved]

Thank God that we will get someone funnier than billy.



I hope in the 2006 awards Robin Williams will host it, the reason is because he is unpredictable. Plus he is the funniest person in the world.

[Twisted Sister]

Originally posted by BadCoverVersion
Here's a thought.

Rock just might've bagged the 'gig' on his own merits...him being a young and successful comedian at the top of his game and all.

I heartily dig this choice.

Amen, BCV. Rock's been paying his dues a long time. Hosting the Oscars is indicative of how far he's come. And it might actually make this year's ceremony worth watching. Props, Rock!

[Jon Lyrik]

Originally posted by Briare Rabbit
People need to realize that the Hollywood blacklist was an awful thing that happened a long time ago. A lot of people on the blacklist had jobs after it ended,m they won awards (Ring Lardner Jr for M*A*S*H comes to mind). Kazan was one of many luminaries who testified. It also included David O Selznick, Louis B Mayer, Walt Disney and Gary Cooper, among others. But their names are never disrespected.

Rock's an awful choice though.

a) True, but it also ruined the lives and careers of many more.

b) Isn't Louis B. Mayer considered to be a blowhard in his days? Walt too, and to a lesser extent I think Selznick. I'm surprised that Cooper testified though, wasn't he one of the few celebrities that tried to convince McCarthy that Hollywood wasn't loaded with communists?

[Briare Rabbit]

Originally posted by Jon Lyrik
a) True, but it also ruined the lives and careers of many more.

b) Isn't Louis B. Mayer considered to be a blowhard in his days? Walt too, and to a lesser extent I think Selznick. I'm surprised that Cooper testified though, wasn't he one of the few celebrities that tried to convince McCarthy that Hollywood wasn't loaded with communists?

Disney mighta been, but reports just show that he was just doing business. Mayer too, Selznick was an egomaniac, but perfectly harmless. I think thats WHY Cooper testified though.