From Drudge:
Veteran members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences have grown concerned over the choice of Chris Rock as host of this month's awards show, the DRUDGE REPORT has learned.
Concern deepened after Rock claimed only gays watch the Oscars!
"I never watched the Oscars. Come on, it's a fashion show," Rock recently declared.
"What straight black man sits there and watches the Oscars? Show me one!"
Rock added: "Awards for art are f---ing idiotic."
MORE
Academy members have privately called for Chris Rock to be removed as host, sources claim, fearing Rock may "tarnish" the reputation of the Academy.
"Simply put, this is a disgrace," one veteran Hollywood mogul, who asked not to be identified, said from Los Angeles.
"This guy is out there saying 'awards for art are f---ing idiotic' and he is hosting the show produced by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences? I guess the joke is on us!"
One nominated actress questions whether producer Gil Cates was even aware that Rock has "never watched the Oscars."
Other unpublicized comments made by Rock threaten to throw the scheduled Feb. 27 broadcast into complete chaos.
During a recent hate-filled rant, Rock imitated a White House press briefing:
"Mr. President, what about gay marriage? 'F**k them faggots,'" Rock said of Bush.
What will Rock be wearing to the show?
"Nothing against people who aren't straight, but what straight guy that you know cares? Who gives a f---?" Rock explained.
I sometimes enjoy Rock's comedy. And he is certainly entitled to his opinion.
But you can bet that Hollywood's elite don't want this guy, who is set to host the upcoming Oscars, belittling the awards show in such profane terms.
If the Oscars suck so much, Chris, why did you accept the invite to host it? Do you need the money that bad? Or are you just being an asshole?
Article comments
1 - james diggs
Drudge is wrong read this
2 - Temple Stark
Thanks James. I probably wouldn't have found that on my own. Drudge just stirs shit. Fuck him.
Good luck Chris. You're going to have your detractors - but you are, today, the funniest famous working comedian on the planet.
3 - Charlotte
This was completely different from the Drudge Report article! Thank you for clarifying what Chris Rock said. The politically correct will crucify CR before the morning light if the Drudge version is all they see. It is considered hate to criticize gays in any way, shape or form anymore and the Drudge Report story has the appearance of that.
4 - Temple Stark
I was focusing on what came after "Awards for art are f---ing idiotic." If that's all that he said he would indeed be terrible for an awards show. But the context describes what about 90 percent of he actors feel as well. Someone's got to win, though.
PS Chris Rock is a c-o-m-e-d-i-a-n.
5 - RJ
"Good luck Chris. You're going to have your detractors - but you are, today, the funniest famous working comedian on the planet."
That's subjective...
6 - bhw
As is Drudge's "report."
7 - Temple Stark
Subjective? Really?
Dang I thought it was the 11th commandment after he played God.
sheesh.
8 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
in the dukes humble opinion, chris rock is the funniest man since bill hicks.
9 - Temple Stark
Mornin' Aaron.
10 - Eric Berlin
Chris Rock and Dave Attel are my co-champs as funniest comics working today.
Anyone note how true (and therefore funny, as Homer Simpson would tell us) Rock's Oscar-related comments were, offensive or no?
11 - RJ
Well, Mr. Rock did mention that he loves to attend pro-abortion rallies because he knows all those bitches like to fuck, and he doesn't have to worry about any child-support afterwards...
Funny!
12 - dave
Why do people use drudge as a news source?
The reason Rock is doing the Oscars is because they've been asking him to do them since 97. Sooner or later, he was going to say yes.
13 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
mornin temple. although i ain't slept a damn wink so it feels like sunday night still
14 - Eric Olsen
here is what broadcast producer Cates said about Rock on his blog:
This year, Oscar will introduce the hilarious Chris Rock as a first time host. I expect him to be thoughtful, edgy, contemporary and very funny.
Chris has the same qualities as every great Oscar host because he is first of all a major star himself and therefore able to speak to the Oscar audience in the Kodak Theater as a peer.
In addition, Chris Rock is one of the funniest stand-up comedians working today with an ability to maintain control of his all-star audience (and the hundreds of millions watching on television) in the face of fast breaking, unexpected events.
I believe people watch the Oscars for several reasons. First, of course, people want to know who wins the Oscars for outstanding motion picture achievement. Second, people want to see glamorous movie stars in unscripted situations.
Perhaps most important, however, to the audience's enjoyment of any particular Oscar broadcast is the entertainment provided by the Oscar host demonstrating that everyone at this party is having a really great time.
On February 27, 2005 my Oscar prediction is that Chris Rock will spread a great deal of laughter all around the world.
The Oscars swing back and forth between "edgy" and traditional on an ongoing basis and they are obviously trying to bring in a younger, more diverse viewership with Rock. Either it will work or it won't, we'll see. Give them credit for taking a chance
15 - Sherm
Drudge is - as usual - full of it. Maybe his jewish roots cannot stand a black comedian do the oscars ? So here he put's a spin on it using the ancient tactic of leaving parts out. Well, he is obviously an old timer journalist, or better an imitation of a journalist, as otherwise he would know that this does not work these days.
16 - Eric Olsen
I doubt "Jewish roots" have anything to do with it, but Drudge is a pathetic parody of a "journalist" - he is simply the online tabloid of record, and appallingly successful at it. But then, someone must be buying the Enquirer, Sun and all that other shit too
17 - Matt Egan
Duke--I saw your letter to the editor in Q Magazine in the Feb issue. Classic. I almost fell off my sifa when I saw your name. Good job championing Morrissey's cause.
18 - Sydney
'awards for art are fucking idiotic'
-- seems obvious enough. What makes chris rock so relevant these days is that his humour is so spot on. He's often just pointing out how stupid the things we spend our money and time on are.
19 - Eric Olsen
perhaps, but there are awards for ALL kinds of art
20 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
matt - i'd forgotten about that! wahey! although the email had much more swearing, which they saw fit to eliminate.
also, i see Kirsten Dunst is to be presenting one of the awards on Oscar Night, so it's gonna be must-see TV with or without Rock.
21 - Matt
Duke, I figured that it must have been edited. Much too proper (and boring) to have been directly from your pen. Blogcritics infiltrated Q. In the Duke's words---A motherfucking classic.
22 - Sami
Sometimes, in life, there is something called comedy.
Get a sense of humor, and stop taking everything you hear so seriously. You're on the right road for a depression.
23 - Nicole
I completely disagree. I think that Rock appreciates the Arts and this was nothing more than commedy. Lighten up.