Looks like the Oscars don’t want to play it safe. According to Variety , controversial comedian Chris Rock is in talks to host the ceremony. It’s said that Rock is so close to closing a deal that an official announcement of his hosting duties is expected to be announced very soon.
That said, Rock knows what it takes to host an award show. In fact, if he signs on the dotted line it will be the second time he’s hosted the Oscars. Rock hosted the Oscars in 2005 to rave reviews. Back in January, the L.A. Times published a piece on why Rock should host the Oscars again.
BREAKING: Chris Rock in talks to host the Oscars https://t.co/zWyyZqrdWN pic.twitter.com/69DNsktEyf
— Variety (@Variety) October 20, 2015
L.A. Times said , “The best thing Rock does is pull back the curtain on all these awards-show niceties, while fitting it all in nicely into an awards show.” Something that in a very PC world, some people might find refreshing again.
The article continued, “Rock’s ability to call nonsense on every awards convention and its unpersuasive niceties was something he could do with ease even in the more formal confines of a televised show, and should do at the Oscars. He’s already been doing it all over the country.”
The Oscars seem to agree with this line of thought, and if Rock does sign on for a second time, he would be collaborating with Reginald Hudlin again. Rock worked with Hudlin on his defunct show Everybody Hates Chris . Producers of this particular award show can make or break the flow of the ceremony. Just ask James Franco and Anne Hathaway, who are still remembered as one of the worst Oscar hosts the award ceremony has seen.
Back in 2011, Franco said he felt “trapped” by the whole experience. “I felt kind of trapped in that material. I felt, ‘This is not my boat. I’m just a passenger, but I’m going down and there’s no way out.’”
The fact that Hudlin has worked with Rock and is familiar with his styling of comedy speaks volumes, and will be an easy feat if they’re looking to make this a worthwhile ceremony.
When Rock hosted the awards, he did manage to ruffle some feathers, namely Sean Penn. Rock questioned why it seemed like Jude Law was starring in every film. At the time he said, “Who is Jude Law? Why is he in every movie I have seen in the last four years? Even if he’s not acting in it, if you look at the credits he makes the cupcakes or something.” Penn, who co-starred with Law in the 2006 film All the King’s Men , came out later to defend Jude Law as an actor to the audience.
Chris Rock in Talks to Host 2016 Oscars Ceremony – https://t.co/XZ3zvXWB4O pic.twitter.com/qujkVLS7dc
— Screen Rant (@screenrant) October 20, 2015
While Rock pleased most but not everyone, Oscar Host Seth MacFarlane crashed and burned when he hosted the ceremony. His most offensive bit was a sexist song and dance calling out actresses’ nudity in films. The song was titled “We Saw Your Boobs.” Despite MacFarlane’s unique brand of comedy on his hit TV show Family Guy , apparently critics expected there would be a bit more class from the crass writer.
As for Rock, people seem to be excited about his possible return to the stage:
@Variety this rocks
— Murder Math (@_OtraCosa_) October 20, 2015
@Variety The show needs Chris X
— Hattie’s Club (@ClubHattie) October 20, 2015
@Variety yes he will crack it up rather they want to laugh or not we will be laugh. Next have @RealDLHughley host please!!! Seriously
— Ladyjones74 (@ladybost74) October 20, 2015
[Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images]
