(ABC/Andrew Eccles)
Chris Rock is the host of the 2016 Oscars and tonight will be a huge event for several reasons. For one, Leonardo DiCaprio may finally get his Oscar for his role in The Revenant. He has been a nominee several times for amazing films, but has never taken home the gold. Another big topic this Oscars season is the “black out” controversy, which host Rock is sure to bring up at some point. Due to the #OscarsSoWhite controversy, several big stars are boycotting the awards show. Some of these celebrities include Will Smith, wife Jada Pinkett-Smith, and Spike Lee.
This is Chris Rock’s second time hosting the awards show as his previous gig was years ago for the 77th edition of the event. This year will be the 88th Academy Awards Ceremony. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Rock joked that he is only hosting the show because Ellen DeGeneres isn’t. Rock told THR:
I told my agent I wanted to present because it’s like, what’s easier and better than presenting? You come in, do something really funny and get out of there, but it just seemed like a good time. I hadn’t [hosted] in a while, and I’m in between projects … And let’s not get it twisted: I’m only here because Ellen said no.
Rock also told ABC News that he plans to keep the show moving at a fast pace and isn’t sure how far he will go when it comes to boundaries with his jokes. Rock explained:
You probably say something more risque at 10:30 than you will at 8:30. Honestly right now, I’m just concentrating on the movies. You know, what’s the subjects that are big right now in Hollywood.
When the “Oscars So White” controversy broke out, Chris Rock posted a couple tweets poking fun at the topic, but then he cancelled most of his scheduled interviews leading up to tonight. It appears that he’s going to save everything he has for the stage.
For more information on the big event:
