The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences announced on Oct. 21 that it is proud to welcome the comedian, actor, director and producer Chris Rock back to host the 88th Oscar Awards at the Dolby Theater on Feb. 28, 2016. This will be the second time Rock is hosting for the Academy and many are already speculating on how the televised awards night would go, taking into consideration the events that happened on his first Oscar hosting gig in 2005.
It's not a wonder that the media is abuzz about the news because in 2005, Rock's comedic approach delighted some but riled up many others including, of course, the Academy award-winning actor, Sean Penn, who came into Jude Law's defense after Rock used him as part of his joke.
Rock was invited to host again by the newly tapped producers, David Hill and Reginald Hudlin who were in agreement about who they wanted to host the 88th Oscar Awards from the beginning.
"Chris Rock is truly the MVP of the entertainment industry," both Hill and Hudlin said.
"Chris may be best known as a stand-up comic, but we think of him as a creative innovator in many other ways. He is unafraid in his artistry," Dawn Hudson, the Academy's Chief Executive Officer added.
If his 2005 hosting of the Oscar Awards holds any clue, then the 88th Oscars will also garner both positive and negative reaction from the people in the entertainment industry. Just the same as 10 years ago when he took a jab at Hollywood's white-dominated films and award nominees, the lesser known studios and actors, and many taboo topics that left those in their seats on edge with mouths agape.
"The quest is to honor the year in film, honor the art, and above all, make it fun," Hill said of their plans for the 88th Oscars, and it seems that's exactly the reason they roped the comedian for the role. It seems the 2016 Oscars will be both fun and edgy.
Neil Patrick Harris hosted the 87th Oscar Awards and Ellen Degeneres emceed for the second time in 2014.
"It's great to be back," Chris Rock said.
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