No Oscar return for Chris Rock

No Oscar return for Chris Rock

Sadly Chris Rock will not be amusing the audience with his funny antics at the Academy Awards in 2006.

Rock was the host of the Oscars in the year 2005. For months it was being speculated whether or not he would return to the Oscars in 2006. On Friday the comedian made official, his intention to keep out of the race for the 78th Oscars to be held on March 7, next year.

“He is not hosting the Academy Awards,” said Rock's publicist Matt LeBov. “Rock doesn't want to do the show in perpetuity but would like to do it again down the road,” he said.

Rock had received mixed critical reviews for his performance this year. While his show was appealing to the younger audience, some of his acrid wise cracks estranged a few members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

At one point, Rock advised moviemakers to wait for better talent rather than making poor films.

In another scathing comment Rock said, “You want Tom Cruise and all you can get is Jude Law. Wait, you want Russell Crowe and all you can get is Colin Farrell? Wait. 'Alexander' is not 'Gladiator'.”

Though he made fun of himself too, “You want Denzel (Washington) and all you can get is me? Wait,” but the comments didn't go down well with some. So much so that Sean Penn was provoked to stick up for Jude Law; he referred to Law as “one of our finest actors” later during the show.

After the announcement by Rock that he will not be a contender, the speculation over the next host has intensified. Whoopi Goldberg, Steve Martin, Jay Leno and Conan O'Brien are the names that are being mentioned. It is expected that Academy Awards producer Gil Cates will put an end to suspense by announcing the name in the coming weeks.