ABC President Is Open To Having Chris Rock Host The 2023 Oscars
Comedian Chris Rock might be in the running to host the 2023 Oscars following the controversial smack that received from Oscar-winning actor Will Smith over G.I. Jane 2 joke about Smith’s wife Jada Pinkett Smith.
According to The Jasmine Brand, ABC president Craig Erwich is open to having Rock as a potential host for next year’s show and despite the viral incident he believed that the show had a “really successful year.”
“My assessment of the Oscars was that it was really a successful year for the show. Obviously, there was a lot of controversy, which overshadowed a lot of the positive things about the show, but I was really happy with the program,” he shared, the outlet reports. “Even before that very unfortunate moment, the show started off up year over year, and we came back in a big way.”
Erwich says that does regret the Smith and Rock slap but thinks that the show is moving in a positive direction.
“It was the biggest bounce back of any award show this season. If you look at what they were trying to do, which is really bring entertainment back to the program, they had three amazing hosts, clips, and incredible musical performances, I thought it was a great way for the show to reclaim its place on the mantle. There’s always things to learn and we’ll endeavor to do even better next year.”
This wouldn’t be the first time that Rock would host the Academy Awards, back in 2016 the comedian took over the stage in the midst of the “Oscars So White” hot button issue.
In other Oscars news, Wanda Sykes, comedian and host of the 2022 ceremony, said that she is still traumatized by the Will Smith slap.
“I can’t talk about it. I get emotional,” she told the audience while performing a comedy show in Orlando, Florida.
“I couldn’t believe he was still sitting there, like an a**hole. Shouldn’t you be sitting there with a lawyer or LAPD, motherf****r? I hope he gets his s**t together. Until then, f**k him.”
Smith went on to win his first Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in King Richard. He has resigned from The Academy and was banned from attending the ceremony, events or programs in person or virtually for 10 years.
