Late last night we reported that Chris Rock was in talks to host the upcoming Academy Awards. It has now been confirmed that Rock will host the awards ceremony for the second time in his career.
Earlier today, Rock took to Twitter to announce the news himself. Producers David Hill and Reginald Hudlin, chosen by the Academy Of Motion Pictures Arts and Science to lead this year’s ceremony, decided to return to familiar territory in Rock. He previously hosted the 77th Academy Awards in 2005 and caught a lot of criticism for his choice of jokes, but it seems like water under the bridge with the Academy and Rock mending their working relationship.
“Chris Rock is truly the MVP of the entertainment industry. Comedian, actor, writer, producer, director, documentarian – he’s done it all. He’s going to be a phenomenal Oscar host!” said Hill and Hudlin in a statement announcing the news. That is some high praise. It seems they are confident Rock can bring back interest to the Academy Awards after ratings declined this past year.
Rock joins an elite list of people who have returned to host the Oscar multiple times, including Ellen Degeneres, John Stewart, Steve Martin, Whoopi Goldberg, Johnny Carson and Billy Crystal, who hosted the ceremony a staggering 9 times.
The 88th Annual Academy Awards will air live on February 28 on ABC.
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