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Eddie Murphy won't host the Oscars after all.
Eddie Murphy has withdrawn as host of the Oscars, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences said in a statement Wednesday.
The decision had been predicted by movie industry observers, as Murphy is friends and creative partners with Brett Ratner, who stepped aside less than a day ago as producer of the show. Ratner left the position after he was heavily criticized for using a gay slur during a question-and-answer session for his new film, "Tower Heist," in which Murphy stars. He was also criticized for sexual and other statements he made about women on "The Howard Stern Show."
"I appreciate how Eddie feels about losing his creative partner, Brett Ratner, and we all wish him well," said Tom Sherak, president of the Academy.
Eddie Murphy has stepped down as host for the 84th annual Academy Awards ceremony, one day after the show's producer Brett Ratner resigned following an uproar over his use of a homophobic slur.
The New York Times wrote that Murphy's decision "represented an embarrassing collapse of the Academy’s plans for the Oscar presentation and left it with just over three months to fill key roles for one of the most elaborately staged television shows of the year."
At the time Murphy was chosen, Reuters wrote of Murphy and Ratner: "the pair bring a decidedly comic edge to the show that has tried to stay relevant among young and mainstream moviegoers as its major awards in recent years primarily have gone to dramas aimed mostly at older audiences."
But some saw it as a "Tower Heist" publicity stunt from day one. Wrote Movieline: "The actor was pulled on board to host the Oscars by his 'Tower Heist' director as both a marketing ploy for the comedy — which premiered to lackluster box-office figures this past weekend — and as a means for what many fans hoped would be a Murphy comeback."
Murphy's decision is, in publicity terms, much worse news for the Academy than the Ratner situation. Moviegoers and award-show watchers care about the show's host, not who's behind the scenes. In 2011, Anne Hathaway and James Franco hosted, and received some of the worst reviews in recent memory for an Oscar hosting job. The Hollywood Reporter called their hosting "spectacularly bad" and said the show "hit a new low."
The show will not only have to hustle to find a new host and producer, but whoever is chosen will face the public image that they were a fill-in choice. And while plans for the show had been to rely heavily on comedy, thanks to Murphy's skills, that may be called into question with a new host.
Names frequently tossed around for Oscar hosting duty include past hosts Ellen DeGeneres, Billy Crystal and Steve Martin. There's even a Twitter campaign to get The Muppets, who have a movie of their own coming out this month, to host.
The Academy Awards are scheduled for Feb. 26, 2012.
Who would you choose to host the Oscars? Tell us in the comments.
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I nominate REBA. She has done pretty good in the Country Music Show. I don't know how many movies she has been in.
Bring back Billy Chrystal. Everybody loves him, he's funny as can be, and he is a gentleman.
Not sure we need the annual "look at me, I'm prettier than you are" contest anyway. . .except for the dresses.
The whole thing is gay
Co-hosted by Chris Rock & Dave Chappelle ... acting like their were fighting over the top spot ... would be some funny stuff if you could pull it off!!!
Basically poking fun at not having a host ....
I was planning to watch the show after a long hiatus (17 years) because Eddie is a funny dude. Well, I'll just have to watch something else.
One intriguin thing I have been meaning to ask but keep forgetting; what happened to freedom of speech?
It seems quite a number of deserving and capable people have been hassled out of jobs for speaking their minds....
What kinda freakin country has this become? I am at a lose of words....this political correctness is making us a bunch of boring and pathetic idiots...
When somebody sodomizes a 10 year old boy, gets caught in the act and is never reported to authorities because of political correctness...BULLSH*T
Not everyone loves Billy Crystal. He gets on my nerves. Just sayin'.
I share your sentiment, I can not force myself to watch Billy Crystal.
The Academy Awards is nothing but a big promotional campaign to bring attention to the movies and make more money. It is syrupy and sickening to see everyone patting themselves on the back. Use your DVR if you can't endure three plus hours of congratulations.
Uma, Oprah.
No to Reba, she hasn't been relevant to anyone outside of country music in decades. I like the Muppets idea, I also think they could go completely out of the box with someone like Neil Patrick Harris.
And Doc, Sandusky didn't avoid trouble because of political correctness, he avoided trouble because of the almighty dollar and bunch of egos.
Actually, I liked the idea about Chris Rock & Dave Chappelle. You'd have to let them rip though--no censorship guidelines. Steve Martin is also a good choice.
If Reba were hosting, I wouldn't even watch the Oscars.
DocHolliday what in the world is an intirguin? And for your edification, the First Amendment as it applies to freedom of speech, prevents the government from encumbering what it is you wish to say, unless of course you get your jollies from shouting FIRE in a crowded theater where nothing is aflame . . . it regulates nothing the owner of private property or an enterprise chooses to allow or not allow on or within the confines of his/her/its' property . . .
Welcome to America
Reba is fine right where she is.
I nominate William Shatner.
EWWWWW, Reba????? And subject everyone to that annoying southern, grating voice for over two hours? You may as well put the Oscars on the cancellation chopping block... that would do it for sure.... wait.... is that what you wanted? Ahhhhh, I get it... good suggestion then! LOL
You know, just once I'd like someone to say, "You know, it's a freaking JOKE, people-- lighten up." Whatever happened to freedom of speech? Ratner should not have resigned. But bravo to Eddie Murphy for bowing out to support his friend-- I hope the shows continue to bomb.
Here Here
Usually, I am among the first to call people to the carpet for using slurs... but on this one, I gotta agree with Alram... the "F" word has become more and more ANTI-synonymous with homosexuality over the last decade, to the point that even South Park made (hilarious) note of it. Even my gay friends use the word, and it has nothing to do with anyone's sexual preference.
Freedom of Speech is a law preventing the Government from interfering in your right to speak your mind, not a law that allows people to say whatever they like while being representatives of a company(ies). The same questions arose when Hank Williams Jr. was kicked off MNF for equating a golf session between Boehner and Obama as Hitler and Netanyahu.
While I do agree that at times the PC crew can go way overboard, it's still necessary to make the distinction of what the law actually covers.
B Murphy-- I believe Mr. Williams went a little further in his comments. No one is questioning Mr. Williams' freedom of speech but more about the analogy being overboard. Comparing the president of the US with a man responsible for such genocide was over the top. Again, Mr. Williams had the right to freedom of speech and he was fired not executed. He's alive and well not like the race of people that was nearly eradicated. We all have the right to speak our mind but one may have to live with the fallout attached. I believe Mr. Williams has even written a song about the experience, another element of freedom pf speech.
@ Maynard: Well, that's really not the point here. The point is people claiming Freedom of Speech violations, when the Government hasn't stepped in and said word one about it. That's all the law really covers, it has nothing to do with what private companies do when employees/representatives of their brand step over a line they're unwilling to cross.
That's really all I was saying, I honestly don't care about either situation myself. Simply people not understanding exactly what Freedom of Speech protects a person from. Of course, it's quite obvious that Williams Jr. is a complete and utter idiot. That much is certain, MNF is better off without that kind of intelligence sinkhole.
amen
AMEN! It never ceases to amaze me how people don't get this. it's about money. You can say whatever you want about whomever you want....just not on my mic. You're "edge" is not going to cost me my "green".
@ Koolyouth: Absolutely, this is entirely about money. The companies that represent the Academy want nothing to do with any kind of seriously inflammatory news/media coverage. They just want people tuning into the awards ceremonies. Any kind of blemish to their image, is directly translated into advertisement dollars lost, and that's something they will absolutely not tolerate. Nobody should be pretending this is about gay rights, or whatever the next verbal faux-pas is.
Get over it crybabies.
@ B Murphy - a correction - Hank Williams Jr. made the comparison of Obama golfing with Boehner being like Hitler playing golf with Netenyahu. Clearly evoking an Obama-Hitler comparison. As someone on the far right wing Williams wanted to disparage Obama and compare Boehner to someone he has regard for. Just a slight correction but lets keep it accurate to appropriately reflect what an idiot Hank Williams Jr. is.
@ Truthseeker: I didn't specify who he was equating whom to whom, as it wasn't really the point of my response. Thanks for splitting hairs though.
Brink back Billy Crystal!!
I say, Louis CK
Or Ricky Gervais!
I like 'em both. Gervais would be perfect and he would give an edgy quality.
Louis Black!
The Muppets. Hands down.
Stephen Colbert
Stephen Colbert
Ellen Degeneres. The award show has become so boring and scripted. Ellen, and yes, Billy Crystal would lighten it up.
I'm a good host!
Are people still watching the Academy Awards?
Apparently, it has just enough of an audience left to be really, really annoying every year.
 WHO CARES !!! It's been boring for years.
yeah..the thing is..using the word "f*g" is not a joke if you've spent your life afraid of it, afraid of being beaten up because of it, ACTUALLY being beating up while that word is shouted at you, while it's spray painted on your house, your car....it's not funny at all.
Words hurt. Directly. And it wasn't funny - it was stupid to use that word. He's in a public position, and with that public position comes power, and with power comes responsibility. It's that simple.
It might seem funny - until your cousin or brother or friend is beaten up and put in the hospital or killed while that word is shouted at them, repeatedly. And this happens - not rarely, but daily. And that's why that word is not okay. Especially not okay from someone in power.
Oakland-Mike-- Sometimes it simply depends on who uses the word and in what context. Much has been discussed about African Americans using the N word but a white person can't use it. Using F-- by someone that may be gay or lesbian may be interpretted in a totally different context than someone who is straight. I have gay friends that call each other even worse names but it's not meant to be mean. It's not PC it's context.
Very, very much depends on the context it was used in. When you become soooo overly sensitive that just hearing the word without taking in the context has "your panties in a bunch" then you are the one with the problem.
Example: The use of "panties in a bunch". Connects to the controversy of the F-g word, yet in no way a slur against gay people. And anyone who thinks it is needs to lighten up!
Ratner wasn't using it as hate speech.
Also, Billy Crystal is a nice guy but hasn't been "funny" for a long time. I see Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert all the time, cause they are great, but this show is NOT the best fit for their talents.
You want people to watch...Bring back Ricky Gervais! He's quick, edgy, will surprise as well as entertain and HE IS FUNNY!
Eddie Murphy would have been great. I would have watched if Eddie was hosting. With out a really good host I won't even consider watching this usually boring show.
Omg Mike you need a martini... lighten up and be happy!
Jon Stewart
If the show expected me to support the homosexual lifestyle as legitimate I would have dropped out too. Good move Eddie Murphy.
If you can't get along with gays and lesbians you won't succeed in show business. Since Murphy has succeeded, I presume he's managed to get along with gays and lesbians, and I doubt very much if not wanting "to support the homosexual lifestyle as legitimate" is why he dropped out.
What is "the homosexual lifestyle", exactly? Do you imagine all gay people live the same way?
Let's see. They generally wake up, brush their teeth, get dressed, eat breakfast, go to work, come home, eat dinner, watch TV and go to bed. Or maybe they don't have jobs, because so many people are unemployed. But I would say they pretty much live like "normal" people.
lindsay lohan - it will be either the greatest or worst decision ever - but sure to bring lots of terrible excitement
Haha, that would definitely be funny!
I hope viewership goes down, especially in light of all the political correctness when their movies do just the opposite of respecting people in many instances. It's just elite folks patting each other on the back and giving each other awards that have at many times nothing to do with the artistic quality of the films they make. More self-aggrandizement for those who share very little with the rest of humanity.
Robin Williams, he can bring his non-stop comedic energy to what can be a very long night and at times, pretty boring.
I thought Eddie Murphy was a terrible choice to begin with. what is wrong with Hugh Jackman or Neil Patrick Harris. They have both been excellent at the Tony Awards or how about both of them together.
I was just about to write that-- Hugh Jackman and NPH-- co host! TALENT!
Ha. That is a laugh. The oscars have not been relevant for half a decade now.
Which is so ironic considering Eddie Murphy is gay
Since when is Eddie Murphy gay?? He's got eight kids, so he was not gay at least at some point.
well..he did have sex with a trans-sexual hooker, supposedly.
And making someone pregnant does not make him not gay....just means he's not sterile
Steve Martin, Robin Williams and Alec Baldwin.... along with Tina Fey, Freida Pinto and Diane Lane....
Now that's gay! I meant "happy"
you people are soooooooooooooooooo sensitive. (snaps fingers in crisscross manner) uh huh!
Anyone but Anne Hathaway. Showing off her boobs may get her starring roles in movies, but it doesn't make her worth watching.
Can't say I share your opinion, Halliwax. I could watch Anne Hathaway read the phone book and enjoy every minute of it.
I'm looking forward to the next Dark Knight simply because she's cast as Catwoman.
Anne Hathaway was actually funny, and could of done much better if she wasn't paired with James Franco. He's the one who bombed it. And I have to agree RicCastagna, she's the main reason I'm going to see the next Dark Knight.
I think Piers Morgan would be excellent at hosting the 2012 Oscars - he has class, he is witty, intelligent,
and presentable
.
Adam Sandler. Alec Baldwin. Tina Fey. Steve Carrell.
Alec for sure-Sandler-please no!
Lewis Black!
I have never seen an awards show and I would watch this if Lewis Black were hosting.
Baldwin/Martin .... if they can't get Billy Crystal.
Billy Crystal is the best choice.
I understand using derogatory words against someone is not cool, but come on since when a certain group or sexual preferences of certain groups have the right to decide who, when, or why a person or persons makes a comment they do not like for them to have to apologize to that group . It is getting way too intrusive on individuals rights to speak openly how they feel with or without power. Yes, there is still a lot of prejudice toward individuals. Who said the life is fair.The individual should be more thoughtful and the certain GROUPS do not have the right to pull the strings too !
Since those groups provide money to the shows being presented