Everyone has been wondering what Chris Rock would say while hosting the 2016 Academy Awards in wake of #OscarsSoWhite, or, rather, exactly how hard he'd go in on Hollywood. Would he tear white people a new asshole? And how many new assholes?
Unsurprisingly, Rock cut right to the chase during his opening monologue, calling the Oscars "White People's Choice Awards," pointing out how, in its 88th year, the Oscars have ALWAYS been racist. "We were too busy being raped or lynched to care about who's winning best cinematographer," Rock said, getting a little too real.
But he also threw shade at his fellow black actors who decided to skip the ceremony. "Jada boycotting the Oscars is like me boycotting Rihanna's panties. I wasn't invited." He acknowledges the snubs were not fair but "it's also not fair Will was paid $20 million for Wild Wild West." Oof. (Best/most awkward part is watching reaction shots of white actors in the audience.)
Of course, he addressed #HollywoodSoRacist—"Hollywood is sorority racist," he said specifically. Chris Rock's solution? Have black categories, like Best Black Friend, which he jokes Wanda Sykes would win every year. Finally he ended with something every POC actor can agree with: "We want opportunities. Not just once. All you guys get great parts all the time." Hear, hear!
Relive Chris Rock's highly anticipated #Oscars opening monologue presented by Samsung Mobile USA.
Posted by ABC Television Network on Sunday, February 28, 2016
