Chris Rock’s publicist denies Oscars monologue rewrite

CHRIS Rock’s publicist has dismissed reports suggesting the comedian is rewriting his Academy Awards monologue after the Oscars diversity row.

FILE - In this Feb. 27, 2005 file photo, Chris Rock hosts the 77th Academy Awards telecast in Los Angeles. Rock will return to host the Oscars for a second time. Rock, who will return to host the 88th Academy Awards on Feb.28, has made no decisions about his opening monologue. Rock’s publicist, in a statement Monday, refuted earlier comments by Academy Awards co-producer Reginald Hudlin that Rock had scraped earlier plans and was rewriting the show following the backlash to the entirely white acting nominees. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)

CHRIS Rock’s publicist has dismissed reports suggesting the comedian is rewriting his Academy Awards monologue in the aftermath of the Oscars diversity row.

Telecast producer Reginald Hudlin told US TV show Entertainment Tonight the comedian is not pulling out of hosting, following the uproar surrounding the lack of nominations for African Americans and minorities, but he will be changing his script to include some provocative gags about the racial debate.

He said, “(Rock) and his writing staff locked themselves in a room. As things got a little provocative and exciting, he (Rock) said, ‘I’m throwing out the show I wrote and writing a new show’.”

However, Rock’s publicist is now clearing up Hudlin’s comments, insisting the comedian/actor has not made any final decisions about his monologue.

“Regarding Reggie Hudlin’s comments about Chris Rock’s Oscar hosting duties, neither he nor anyone else speaks for Chris,” a statement from Rock’s publicist, Leslie Sloane, to The Hollywood Reporter reads.

“Chris has made no decisions about the content of the show. All will be revealed on February 28th. We will not comment further on this.”

Many high-profile names have spoken out about the lack of diversity at the Oscars following the “white-out” nominations announcement on January 14.

Will Smith and his wife Jada Pinkett-Smith have already announced they will be boycotting the awards this year, while director Spike Lee will not be attending the event.

Rock has already joked about the Academy Awards race issue by tweeting a promo for the show and captioning it, “The Oscars. The White BET Awards.”

The Black Entertainment Television (BET) Awards were launched in 2001 to celebrate African Americans and other minorities in music, acting, and sports.

The 88th Annual Academy Awards will take place in Hollywood on February 28.