There are several things that have happened in the year since Chris Rock has been tapped to host the Oscars. One of these is the infamous slap from Will Smith. The incident led to a lawsuit against Smith and a subsequent apology from the comedian. Afterwards, Chris Rock was offered the job to host the Academy Awards again, but he declined. Moreover, he said that hosting the Oscars again would be like returning to a crime scene.
Rock has emceed the Academy Awards twice in his career. But his first Oscar was marred by controversy. When he was presenting a documentary award, Will Smith slapped him, apparently upset about a joke about his ex-wife Jada Pinkett Smith. Then, he proceeded to walk over and approach Chris Smith. The Los Angeles Police Department later confirmed that Rock did not file a police report.
In addition to his work as a stand-up comic, Rock has also performed in several films. He has appeared in numerous films as a supporting character, including the critically-acclaimed New Jack City (1991). He has also appeared in the comedic Steve Martin comedy Sgt. Bilko, as well as Beverly Hills Ninja (1997) and Lethal Weapon 4 (1998).
After the incident, Chris Rock has been offered a Super Bowl commercial, but he refused. He also refused the invitation to host the Oscars the following year. The comedian compared hosting the Oscars to going back to the scene of a crime, namely the murder of Nicole Brown Simpson. The star’s ex-wife had left her glasses at a restaurant, but the man offered to return them to her 52av.
