Since the Kevin Hart oscar-hosting saga began, pretty much everyone (except Whoopi Goldberg of course) has been keeping their distance from the awards show. Now, Chris Rock has also chimed in to make sure the Academy knows he wants nothing to do with the show.
While presenting an award at the New York Film Critics Circle Awards, Rock explained, as many ageing comedians do nowadays, how the world is less permissive in terms of things that are deemed "offensive," saying, “if it was five years ago, I could say something really offensive and funny right now, but I can’t do that anymore, so…heyyyy!” If this is a reference to the homophobic Tweets that Kevin Hart sent out between 2009 and 2011, Rock has missed the mark because the Tweets simply aren't funny:
Rock tried to find a solution for the Oscars-hosting debacle by pointing to an iconic comedian in the audience at the NYFCCA: “Steve Martin is here. You should host the Oscars. You’re the best.” Rock elaborated: “Steve Martin should host the Oscars! Because I’m not doing it, goddammit! You’re not getting me.” They've only got about a month left, so they better get someone soon.