Chris Rock revealed that he declined to host next year’s Oscars. He made the statement during his recent stand-up performance. Rock is still one of the most popular stand-up comedians in the world, even though he left Saturday Night Live. Rock was a popular stand-up comedian in the late 1990s. He made waves with many beloved stand-up specials. In 2014, Rock moved to the big screen. he appeared in hit flicks such as the Madagascar films and helmed his own Top Five. Rock hosted the Academy Awards twice in 2005 and again in 2016. This was known as the ‘#OscarsSoWhite’ ceremony.
Despite Rock’s success at hosting the award show’s ceremony, his future hosting roles were threatened during the 2022 ceremony. Will Smith’s famous slap across Rock’s face made a massive headline. The incident happened when Rock joked about Jada Pinkett Smith, Will Smith’s wife. Both sides have suffered a lot from the event, particularly after Smith was banned from the Oscars for ten years. Smith formally apologized to Rock, but the comedian has not spoken much about the incident. He has only touched on his point of view in stand-up appearances.
Rock spoke about the Oscars during a stand-up show in Arizona on Sunday night. As reported by AZ Central, Rock said that the Academy had offered him the opportunity to host the Oscars 2023, which he declined. Rock said he didn’t want to return to the Oscars anytime soon. He jokingly compared himself to O.J. Simpson’s ex-wife’s return to the crime scene. In addition, Rock revealed that a major corporation had approached him about appearing in a Super Bowl advertisement, but he declined that too.
Rock’s decision not to continue hosting the Oscars was a disappointing but predictable end to his 20-year reign. He is considered among the most energetic hosts. Rock made a mockery of his fellow Hollywood stars at the 2005 ceremony. He even called out Jude Law for being so ubiquitous during the 2004 awards season. Rock spent most of the 2016 award show calling out the Academy for its almost non-existent representation of diversity. However, this time, Rock seems badly shaken by this year’s events. Rock’s regret at what he did to Smith and Smith’s careers might have led him to withdraw from any Oscars appearances.
Rock was approached by the Academy to host the Oscars this year. The offer itself is a reminder of the consequences that Smith has suffered but didn’t reach Rock. It also highlights the fact that, once again, the Academy is struggling to fill its hosting role. The Oscars are searching for a new host after two years of hostlessness and a year in which Amy Schumer and Wanda Sykes hosted the ceremony. In this scenario, Smith might be the reliable choice to do so.
The Academy is yet to decide how they will fill the hosting role, given the awkward atmosphere of telling jokes in front of celebrities after Smith’s incident. While Rock’s path onwards looks marked by every stand-up performance he does, regardless of whether or not he mentions Smith.
