Host Chris Rock ‘writing new jokes’ as he readies to take aim at race row Oscars

Host Chris Rock is refusing to turn his back on the Oscars in the wake of the racism row. Instead, he will be making plenty of jokes about it. The controversial comedian will still host next month’s ceremony but is rewriting his script in the wake of the row over the lack of ethnic minority nominees in the main acting categories. “He and his writing staff locked themselves in a room,” said show producer Reginald Hudlin said: “As things got a little provocative and exciting, he (Rock) said, 'I’m throwing out the show I wrote and writing a new show’.”

Yes, the Academy is ready for him to do that

Producer Reginald Hudlin says Rock’s jokes will get a good reception

The Oscar organisers have faced a fierce backlash over this year’s nominations, with Will Smith among the big name stars to say they are boycotting the event over the lack of diversity. But Mr Hudlin said he was confident Rock’s new material “will deliver something that people will be talking about for weeks”. On Friday, the film academy promised to double the number of female and minority members by 2020 to try to address diversity concerns. But Oscar nominee Charlotte Rampling has expressed reservations about the #OscarsSoWhite campaign, saying the uproar was “racist to white people”.

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