Comic actor to host Oscar Awards 2016

joan

October 21, 2015 4:32 PM

Chris Rock will be hosting the 2016 Oscar Awards, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences have announced.

Chris Rock to host Oscars 2016

Chris Rock will be hosting the 2016 Oscar Awards, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences have announced.

The comedian is said to be in the final stages of negotiations to host the 88th Academy Awards ceremony, 11 years after his first stint.

This would mark the comedian’s second time hosting Hollywood’s most illustrious awards ceremony since hosting in 2005. Also working in Rock’s favor: the ceremony’s new co-producer, Reginald Hudlin, directed Rock in the pilot of his series, 'Everybody Hates Chris'.

Hudlin and co-producer David Hill were brought on to produce next year’s Oscars after this year’s show hosted by Neil Patrick Harris, took a 16% tumble in the ratings, according to The Guardian.

In 2014, Rock told The Wrap that had he been offered the role of hosting the 87th edition, he “definitely” would have taken the gig. “I didn’t get an offer,” he said. “I mean, it’s Neil Patrick Harris. It’s like, who would pick me before Neil Patrick Harris? He’s an amazing host."

In the decade since Rock last hosted in 2005, Ellen DeGeneres hosted twice (in 2007 and 2014), as did JonStewart (2006, 2008).

The 2016 Oscar Awards will be held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on 28 February.

joan