Chris Rock is rewriting his monologue for the Academy Awards despite those who urged Chris to join the others boycotting the Oscars. The boycott occurred because of concerns that the Oscars has failed when it comes to diversity. Instead of stepping down, however, Rock plans to host the Oscars and include the issues in his monologue that have gone viral with the hashtag #OscarsSoWhite , reported Rolling Stone .
Held on February 28, the ceremony will provide Chris with the opportunity to tackle what has turned into an ongoing dialogue about why the Oscars continue to be an occasion to honor only or primarily white performers. Reginald Hudlin, Oscars producer, revealed that Rock will take his monologue and address the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on the question of why only white actors have been nominated again.
This marks the second year of nominations noticeable for a lack of diversity, and Hudlin emphasized that the Academy is enthusiastic about the plan for Chris to mock the situation while expanding the dialogue. He believes that the audience desires to hear Rock tackle the topic in his monologue.
“You should expect [#OscarsSoWhite jokes]. And, yes, the Academy is ready for him to do that. They’re excited about him doing that. They know that’s what we need. They know that’s what the public wants, and we deliver what the people want.”
Chris has already turned to Twitter to offer his views on the situation.
The #Oscars . The White BET Awards. https://t.co/8qjLR0uysI
— Chris Rock (@chrisrock) January 15, 2016
But now Rock will have the opportunity to use his monologue as a platform for skewering the “White BET Awards.” As for the fact that #OscarsSoWhite made such an impression that stars such as Will Smith, Jada Pinkett-Smith, and Spike Lee are boycotting the show, Chris tossed out his original plan, according to the producer. Now, Rock is rewriting his monologue completely.
“Chris is hard at work. He and his writing staff locked themselves in a room,” added Hudlin. “As things got a little provocative and exciting, he said, ‘I’m throwing out the show I wrote and writing a new show.’”
In addition to giving Rock freedom to revise his Oscars monologue, the Academy itself has vowed to change the face of those who make up the membership. The goal: Have twice as many minority and female voters when 2020 rolls around.
“The Academy is going to lead and not wait for the industry to catch up,” declared Academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs.
Chris Rock Monologue To ‘Deliver Something People Will Be Talking About For Weeks’
As for what the Oscars producer expects to hear when Chris comes out on stage? Hudlin told ET that he has complete faith in the ability of Rock to write a memorable monologue.
“Chris is that thorough,” declared the producer. “He’s that brilliant, and I have 1000 percent confidence that he will deliver something that people will be talking about for weeks.”
Viola Davis expressed her view that the real issue is with the lack of diversity in movies. The How to Get Away With Murder actress revealed that Tyrese urged Rock to cancel his plans to host, but emphasized that in the end, Chris had to make the decision for himself.
“Like I said, the Oscars are not really the issue,” added Davis. “It’s a symptom of a much greater disease. But if he does [host], I hope he takes it as an opportunity to make a statement, a social statement about change. It’s 2016.”
Those addressing the lack of diversity in nominations include the Pinkett-Smiths, Davis, Tyrese, George Clooney, Whoopi Goldberg, Tessa Thompson, Lupita Nyong’o, and Stacey Dash.
At this point, Chris Rock is scheduled to host and deliver his monologue when the 88th Annual Academy Awards is broadcast on ABC February 28 at 8:30 ET/5:30 PT.
[Photo by Carlo Allegri/Getty Images]
