Oscars 2016: Chris Rock Takes Aim At Diversity Row In Hilarious Opening Monologue
Comedian Chris Rock proved to be the perfect compere for this year’s oh-so-white Oscars with his hilarious opening monologue charging full steam ahead into the controversy surrounding the 88th Academy Awards.
Watch it in full above.
First off, he calls it “The White People’s Choice Awards” joking that if the Academy nominated their hosts, they’d be watching Neil Patrick Harris instead of him.
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Then he took aim at the proposed boycott, saying only people without jobs tell people with jobs to quit, adding “And the last thing I need is to lose another job to Kevin Hart, O.K.?”
He pointed out that out of 88 Academy Awards, there have been 71 other shows without any black actors nominated, pointing out there were no protests when it happened in 1962 or 1963.
“Why? Because we had real things to protest at the time, you know? We had real things to protest; you know, we’re too busy being raped and lynched to care about who won best cinematographer.”
He also took at pop at Jada and Will Smith’s non-attendance saying: “Jada boycotting the Oscars is like me boycotting Rihanna’s panties. I wasn’t invited.”
“It’s not fair that Will was this good and didn’t get nominated. Yeah, you’re right. It’s also not fair that Will was paid $20 million for “Wild Wild West.” O.K.?”
Finally, he signed off by introducing the first guest presenters with: “You want diversity? We got diversity.Please welcome Emily Blunt and somebody whiter, Charlize Theron.”
Read Rock’s scathing monologue in full here.
Image credits: Rex
