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Chris Rock confirmed on Wednesday that he will be hosting the 88th Academy Awards which is set to air on ABC on February 28, 2016. This marks the comedian’s second time headlining the awards show, having previously hosted the Oscars in 2005.
Rock wrote on his Twitter account, “Look who’s back,” along with a photo of himself holding an Oscar statue. He further added in a press release, “I’m so glad to be hosting the Oscars. It’s great to be back.” Next year’s show is being produced by Reginald Hudlin, a colleague of Rock’s who directed the pilot episode of his sitcom “Everybody Hates Chris.” In a statement, Hudlin branded the comic as the “MVP of the entertainment industry.”
Rock received a generally positive reception from both the critics and the audience when he hosted back in 2005; however, his appearance wasn’t without controversy. Rock famously met the ire of Sean Penn, who called out the comedian onstage before presenting an award in response to Rock poking fun at Jude Law during his opening monologue. The comedian mockingly questioned why Law was popping up in every movie, to which Penn later rebutted, “He’s one of our finest actors.”
The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences also confirmed the news of Rock’s upcoming Oscars hosting gig. Tell Gossip Cop how you feel about Rock returning to host the Academy Awards for a second time.
