Chris Rock is tonight’s host for the 2016 Oscars and the comedian did not disappoint with his opening monologue.
With controversy surrounding the event, particularly a spotlight on a non-diverse nomination pool, Rock touched on the fact that #OscarsSoWhite is totally legitimate. However, he also thinks the protesting aspect of the whole thing is kind of a joke… or does he?
Cutting the fat off my monologue #oscars pic.twitter.com/ngMQD6LAkt
— Chris Rock (@chrisrock) February 29, 2016
Dressed in a white jacket (which by the way, was definitely not a coincidence), Rock singles out Jada Pinkett Smith and her husband Will Smith, who was snubbed for his film Concussion. His thoughts on her boycott, however, were questionable.
“Jada [Pinkett Smith] boycotting the Oscars is like me boycotting Rihanna‘s panties. You can’t boycott something no one invited you to.”
Then, the burn got worse: If he wants it all about merit, can we complain about the $20 million he got for Wild Wild West?”
He also called out Hollywood for being racist – specifically “sorority racist.” He elaborates, “We like you Rhonda… but you’re not a Kappa.” Yikes.
On a more serious note, the popular comedian commented on a larger issue currently plaguing the American public: “This year, in the in memoriam package, it’s just going to be black people that were shot on their way to the movies.”
If you didn’t cringe hearing that, you weren’t listening.
Apparently his biting words were far from surprising; Harvery Weinstein, the co-chief of The Weinstein Co. knew it was coming. “I just can imagine Chris Rock’s opening remarks,” he explained. If anybody’s [planning on] boycotting the Oscars, don’t, because Chris Rock is gonna annihilate every one of us in the first 20 minutes of the show, and it will be well worth watching. It will be an Oscars to remember.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHPQpConils
Reactions on Twitter vary:
I love Chris Rock right now. Taking shots at everyone from all backgrounds. If this monologue was an hour special I'd buy it. #Oscars
— Philip DeFranco (@PhillyD) February 29, 2016
YAS CHRIS ROCK TAKING DOWN THESE GENDER ROLES #Oscars
— Dont Cry For Me Quarentina (@DamnItRJ) February 29, 2016
Awkward claps but the truth is truth–say it @chrisrock #Oscars
— Cori Murray (@corimurray) February 29, 2016
The beauty of Chris Rock's repetition style is he has said, "Hollywood is racist," seven times in the same joke. #Oscars
— Abbi Crutchfield (@curlycomedy) February 29, 2016
.@chrisrock is on fire! The greatest! #Oscars
— Andy Kindler (@AndyKindler) February 29, 2016
.@chrisrock is dropping so many truth bombs!!! In the most hilarious fashion!!! #Oscars
— Perez (@ThePerezHilton) February 29, 2016
