Eddie Murphy Quits Oscars Hosting Gig After Brett Ratner Resigns Amid Anti-Gay Slur

smart move?

When film director Brett Ratner was set to produce the telecast of this year’s 84th annual Academy Awards ceremony, he could think of no one better to host this year’s Oscars than his good friend, Eddie Murphy.

Between the upcoming comedy Tower Heist, and a prime gig hosting the Oscars, Eddie Murphy was set to have a banner year. Hosting the Oscars ceremony would have put Murphy securely back atop Hollywood’s A-List, after some bumps in the road, both with Murphy’s film choices and some personal scandal.

In short, hosting the 84th Academy Awards was just what Eddie Murphy needed. Now that director Brett Ratner was forced to resign as Oscars producer, amid the fallout from an anti-gay slur (Ratner used the word “fag”), Eddie Murphy has chosen to resign as host of the Oscars in solidarity with his friend and colleague, Ratner.

I admire Eddie Murphy’s loyalty, but can’t help but wonder if he is being loyal to a fault and jeopardizing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

While Brett Ratner is hanging his head in shame and licking his wounds after messing up what could have been a Hallmark of his own career, some other celebs are coming to Ratner defense, including Howard Stern. Producing the Oscars was Brett Ratner’s dream, and now he has been forced to pass the opportunity on to Brian Grazer. Stern, in defense of Ratner, cited other celebs who have perpetrated much worse social crimes than Ratner’s use of the word “fag” in jest.

It was during a Q&A, following a screening of Tower Heist, a moderator asked Ratner whether he prepares and rehearses with his actors before shooting a scene. Ratner waved his hand dismissively and said, “Rehearsing is for fags.”

In fact, Howard Stern thinks it was Brett Ratner’s appearance on his radio show where he spoke graphically about his sex life, that caused things to go down hill fast for the director and would-be Oscars producer.

Have a listen: