Eddie Murphy, who was announced as the official presenter of the Oscar in 2012, resigned his position on Wednesday November 9th. Murphy left one day after Brett Ratner, a producer for the awards show, quit after using offensive terms in a press conference for his latest  comedy, Tower Heist, which also features Eddie Murphy.

In a press release on Wednesday, President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Tom Sherak, released an understanding and charismatic statement about Murphy’s departure by saying: “I appreciate how Eddie feels about losing his creative partner, Brett Ratner, and we all wish him well.”

Murphy also justified his actions and publicly stated that: “First and foremost I want to say that I completely understand and support each party’s decision with regard to a change of producers for this year’s Academy Awards ceremony,.”

“I was truly looking forward to being a part of the show that our production team and writers were just starting to develop, but I’m sure that the new production team and host will do an equally great job,” Eddie added.

The problem first occurred during a session of questions and answers in the press conference of Ratner’s new movie. When the producer was asked about rehearsal sessions, he replied: “rehearsing is for fags,” the L.A. Times reported.

As if that were not enough, in one of his previous appearances, Ratner had the audacity to report having sexual intercourse with the model Olivia Munn. Although he later apologized and confessed to have lied, the statement hit the public causing a polemic shock.

Ratner publicly apologized for his actions and word choices, but groups of gay rights advocates and a few members of the Academy that are also responsible for organizing the Oscars, found his usage of the expression “fag’’ inexcusable.

The producer gave his letter of resignation on the morning of Tuesday. Academy President Tom Sherak accepted Ratner’s letter of resignation and further added: “He did the right thing for the Academy and for himself’. Billy Crystal has officially been selected to substitute Eddy Murphy and will host the 2012 Oscars.

Crystal, who has hosted the award eighth times tweeted, “Am doing the Oscars so the young woman in the pharmacy will stop asking my name when I pick up my prescriptions. Looking forward to the show,” Brian Grazer was chosen to replace Brett Ratner and to be the official producer of the ceremony.

The 84th annual Academy Awards ceremony will be held on February 26, 2012, at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, California.

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About the author

Gabriela Kusters
An International Communication and Media student in the Hogeschool Utrecht in Holland. Simultaneously, a student of journalism and newswriting at the London School of Journalism. Loves writing and anything invoved with communication and the media.

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