Chris Rock Will Host 2016 Academy Awards

Comedian and actor Chris Rock is going to host the 88th Academy Awards in 2016.

Following previously unconfirmed reports on Tuesday, producers David Hill and Reginald Hudlin announced Rock’s selection, according to Variety.

Considering that last year’s Neil Patrick Harris-led ceremony drew the awards show’s lowest ratings in six years, the change of host comes as no surprise — especially since Hudlin previously worked with Rock on the latter’s cult-hit series, Everybody Hates Chris.

“Chris Rock is truly the MVP of the entertainment industry,” said the announcement. “Comedian, actor, writer, producer, director, documentarian — he’s done it all. He’s going to be a phenomenal Oscar host.”

Sounds like these people didn’t see Rock’s 2014 box office bomb Top Five, which the comedian et al. wrote, directed and starred in. Then again, considering his legendary performance at the 2005 Academy Awards, maybe next year’s awards ceremony will actually do well.

[h/t Variety]
[Image via Shutterstock.com]

— —
>> Follow Andrew Husband (@AndrewHusband) on Twitter

New: The Mediaite One-Sheet "Newsletter of Newsletters"
Your daily summary and analysis of what the many, many media newsletters are saying and reporting. Subscribe now!