Mister D: Bring back Oscar regular Bruce Vilanch and how about sharing the hosting duties to Bette Midler and Billy Crystal – take a little pressure off them
HuffPost
Eddie Murphy Out As Oscar Host After Brett Ratner Resignation
November 9, 2011
Eddie Murphy is no longer hosting the 84th annual Academy Awards.
Following the exit of his good friend and “Tower Heist” director Brett Ratner as producer of the show last night over a series of controversial comments, the Academy announced that Murphy has withdrawn from his hosting duties, which he first took on in September.
“First and foremost I want to say that I completely understand and support each party’s decision with regard to a change of producers for this year’s Academy Awards ceremony,” Murphy said in a statement sent out by the academy. “I was truly looking forward to being a part of the show that our production team and writers were just starting to develop, but I’m sure that the new production team and host will do an equally great job.”
The withdrawal caps a tumultuous week for Ratner and the Oscars telecast. Last week, Ratner used a gay slur when asked a question about filmmaking. The director said that “rehearsing is for fags” in a Q&A session following a screening of his new film, “Tower Heist,” at L.A.’s Arclight Cinemas. He apologized for the statement after NY Magazine published his remarks. He also made a series of crude statements about actresses Olivia Munn and Lindsay Lohan.
Statement in Full:
Beverly Hills, CA (November 9, 2011) – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences President Tom Sherak announced that Eddie Murphy has withdrawn as host of the 84th Academy Awards. “I appreciate how Eddie feels about losing his creative partner, Brett Ratner, and we all wish him well,” said Sherak.
Commented Murphy, “First and foremost I want to say that I completely understand and support each party’s decision with regard to a change of producers for this year’s Academy Awards ceremony. I was truly looking forward to being a part of the show that our production team and writers were just starting to develop, but I’m sure that the new production team and host will do an equally great job.”
Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2011 will be presented on Sunday, February 26, 2012, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network. The Oscar® presentation also will be televised live in more than 200 countries worldwide.
Related articles
- Eddie Murphy Drops out as Oscar Host Following Brett Ratner’s Resignation (collider.com)
- Eddie Murphy Pulls Out Of Hosting The Oscars Following Brett Ratner Exit (mediaite.com)
- Eddie Murphy OUT As Oscar Host (huffingtonpost.com)
Brian Grazer just announced to step in for Brett Rattner. If I recall, he’s the other half of all the Ron Howard movies. There’s a groundswell of support for Billy Crystal to host again. Comments are posted on http://www.awardsdaily. com.
I’m liking a Billy/Bette/Bruce trifecta! This would be Brian’s first gig at the Oscars, so he has no track record. Word is he likes to play it “safe”, which could mean a more traditional Oscar telecast, as in previous years. I think it’s looking better for Bruce….
Yeah…I’ll ask him later when he might have more info….I’ll ask him to light a fire under Bette’s butt….both she and Billy know how to read Bruce’s lines and also brains enough to improvise
Billy and Bette sound goooooooood! I had no idea how this Bret guy was, but he sure sounds like and asshole…LOL! BBB for the Oscars!!!!
I meant who, not ‘how…dam it…I’m tired…LOL!
i read it the way you meant it to be read….what does that say about me?
If there’s ever the right time for Bette to host the Oscars, then it’s definitely now – together with Billy; Imagine how great the two of them would be – and how much awesome promotion this would mean for their upcoming project!
I doubt though that Bette will host before she has become a winner herself… Maybe Sally Field could step in???
Blasphemy!!!!
It means you get me…as usual…:-P
That’s always an honor. Hopefully I can write tonight….I may move out for awhile…
Billy Crystal just tweeted that he’s doing the Oscars! It’s confirmed by some news sources as well……now, maybe we can ask him to invite Bette in on the fun…..after all, they are working together! What a couple!!
yay….we should all tweet him to ask her!