Oscars: Chris Rock Speaks

First-time Oscar host Chris Rock, who pissed off the Academy grannies with his disparaging comments about the Awards show, went on with Jay Leno last night to mend some fences, sort of.

“I did not say that [about no straight black men watching the Oscars]. I said only gay people watch the Tonys.” But later he retracted his retraction. “I really don’t know any straight men who aren’t in show business that have ever watched the Oscars.”

Rock gave some perspective. “The Nobel Peace Prize, there’s no one there. Nobody cares what the scientists are wearing. What are you wearing Professor Allen? ‘Pants!'”

Regarding acceptance speeches: “Don’t thank God,” Rock said. “God’s busy working on the tsunami, so leave him alone.”

He’s a funny guy, but this show will be, um, edgy.

Meanwhile, if show producer Gil Cates says he isn’t nervous about Rock one more time, people might start to think he’s nervous:

Everyone asked if I am worried about what Chris Rock will say. I told them that I am not worried at all.

First, Chris is a very smart man and he understands quite clearly the difference between the scatological observations he can make on his cable television specials and how to be funny within the boundaries allowed on the networks. After all, he spent nearly five years as a cast member on Saturday Night Live.

Hmm, have you ever actually watched SNL, Gil?

Th Oscars will be presented on Sunday, February 27, at the Kodak Theatre, and televised live by ABC at 8 p.m. EST.