Following Brett Ratner’s resignation in the wake of his insensitive comments toward shrimp, gays, rehearsal, Olivia Munn, and Asians, the Academy has named as his replacement Brian Grazer, probably best known as Ron Howard’s producing partner, and for constantly looking as sweaty and coked out as Brett Ratner probably actually is. Also, he came up with the idea for Splash (true story). Most recently, Grazer produced Brett Ratner’s Tower Heist, so you figure the Academy must really have thought long and hard about this decision.
Grazer, a producer of the upcoming J. Edgar, was at the top of the list of producers whom Sherak approached to come aboard and co-produce the show along with the previously announced Don Mischer. Grazer’s first order of business will be naming a new host.
“Brian Grazer is a renowned filmmaker who over the past 25 years has produced a diverse and extranordinary body of work,” Academy president Tom Sherak said. “he will certainly bring his tremendous talent, creativity and relationships to the Oscars.” [THR]
With Eddie Murphy out, presumably his replacement will be someone else from the cast of Tower Heist. I vote for Gabourey Sidibe, but only if she does the whole thing in a Jamaican accent.
“‘ey, mon, I hareby awarrd dis year’s Os-carr for Most Tasty to dees roast-tad cheeckan. A nuh mi like vegetable, BUH! BUH! …Now, whare da bumbaclot ‘tief dan stole me Krispy Kreme? BANDULU! Fess up, nah! Which wan a you bal’ ‘ead gwan tief me donut?!”