#OscarsSoWhite Also Revealed #OscarsSoWTF
How Do Critics Remember Chris Rock Hosting The 2016 Oscars?
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Y’all remember Chris Rock? He’s a legendary comedian and three-time host of the Oscars. To me, even though 2022 is still fresh in a lot of people’s minds, his most memorable performance as host was his second in 2016.
The 88th Academy Awards
After mellow reception as 2005 Oscars host, Chris Rock hosts the 88th Academy Awards in 2016 to champion the message #OscarsSoWhite
Compiled from Chris Rock and 88th Academy Awards:
On October 21, 2015, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Rock would host the 88th Academy Awards the following February. When the subsequent acting nominations turned out to include no racial minorities, Rock was called upon to join a boycott of the ceremony. Rock declined, stating at the ceremony that it would have accomplished little since the show would have proceeded anyway, with him simply replaced. Instead, Rock spoke of his concerns about the lack of diversity in AMPAS at various times during the show, closing by saying “Black Lives Matter”.
And yet…
During the show, Rock introduced onstage three children of Asian heritage posing as accountants for PricewaterhouseCoopers, saying, “They sent us their most dedicated, accurate, and hard-working representatives… Please welcome Ming Zhu, Bao Ling and David Moskowitz.”
He also added, “If anybody’s upset about that joke, just tweet about it on your phone that was also made by these kids.”
In response to the segment, U.S. Congresswoman Judy Chu expressed her disappointment at Rock, broadcaster ABC, and AMPAS in a press release that read, “It is not right to protest the exclusion of one group by making jokes at the expense of another. I am so disappointed that the Academy and ABC would rely on such offensive characterizations, especially given the controversy over the lack of diversity.”
Actress Constance Wu tweeted, “To parade little kids on stage w/no speaking lines merely to be the butt of a racist joke is reductive & gross.” Furthermore, 25 AMPAS members of Asian descent, including actors Nancy Kwan, Sandra Oh, and George Takei, and director Ang Lee, signed a letter condemning Rock’s skit, saying, “In light of criticism over #OscarsSoWhite, we were hopeful that the telecast would provide the Academy a way forward and the chance to present a spectacular example of inclusion and diversity. Instead, the Oscars show was marred by a tone-deaf approach to its portrayal of Asians.”
In a phone interview with the Associated Press, Academy President Isaacs apologized for the joke, stating, “I can understand the feelings, and we are setting up a meeting to discuss, because, as you well know, no one sets out to be offensive, and I’m very sorry that has happened. I think so much is achieved with dialogue, so much is achieved. And that is what we’ll continue to do: have dialogue, listen, and just keep fixing.”
Still, some believed Rock’s hosting duties more than surpassed what was needed and deserved.
Rock’s performance was largely praised by critics. Los Angeles Times critic Mary McNamara wrote: “Rock’s Oscars had some of the most powerful moments seen in the telecast’s history. His decision to honestly answer the question ‘Is Hollywood racist?’ was brave and effective,” The New York Times television critic James Poniewozik, praised Rock’s performance for being “evenhanded without being wishy-washy” and that he represented “an example of something the industry is still trying to learn: that you can achieve both inclusion and entertainment by giving the right person just the right opportunity.
Fun stuff
Other critics weigh in on the legacy of Chris Rock, #OscarsSoWhite, and #OscarsSoCis
And The Oscar Goes To… (Transgender Soapbox)
The Oscars: The Slap — with Tirhakah Love (Culturally Relevant)
David, Jeff, and Devindra react to Netflix’s first live event — a Chris Rock comedy special! — before diving into Creed III (Filmcast Podcast episode 712)
An Oscars Ceremony That Wasn’t Terrible: Reflections on the 95th annual Academy Awards (Decoding Everything)
EXCLUSIVE: Patricia Arquette Calls Out Oscars for Leaving Trans Sister Alexis Out of In Memoriam (Entertainment Tonight)
William H. Macy: The Oscars Snubbed My Wife’s Transgender Role (Larry King Now)
The Trans Oscar Nominee Who Boycotted The Academy Awards (Translating Everything)
The Trans Short Film Version Of Everything Everywhere All At Once (Translating Everything)
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