Eddie Murphy Steps Down As OSCAR Host!

NOOOOOOOOOOOO! I knew this would happen. 

It has now been confirmed that Eddie Murphy will step down as Host of the 84th Annual OSCARS. As we reported earlier, Eddie's pal and movie director Brett Ratner stepped down from producing duties because of using a gay slur. And many wondered if Eddie would do the same since Ratner was instrumental in bringing Eddie on as Host.

Now, we have our answer! Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences president Tom Sherak announced Wednesday:

"I appreciate how Eddie feels about losing his creative partner, Brett Ratner, and we all wish him well," Sherak said in a release from the Academy. 

Eddie also released his own separate statement:

"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."

And there you have it, Dancers! This statement really wanted to say: "Look. If Ratner is out, so am I!" 

Director Brett Ratner Is OUT As OSCARS Producer Gor Using Gay Slur....What Will Happen To Eddie Murphy As Host?

Ut Oh!!! When will people learn?

Brett Ratner tendered his resignation to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences on Tuesday after apologizing for using an offensive term to describe homosexuals. The filmmaker was going to co-produce next year's 84th annual Oscarcast – and his resignation could conceivably throw into question whether Eddie Murphy will still host the event. Murphy had been recruited for the job by Ratner, who directed him in the movie Tower Heist. "He did the right thing for the Academy and for himself," Academy President Tom Sherak said in a statement, regarding Ratner's resignation. "Words have meaning, and they have consequences. Brett is a good person, but his comments were unacceptable. We all hope this will be an opportunity to raise awareness about the harm that is caused by reckless and insensitive remarks, regardless of the intent." Ratner, 42, used the gay slur during a question-and-answer session at Hollywood's Arclight cinema on Friday, and again on Howard Stern's program, to suggest that rehearsals are only for weaklings. In his apology, Ratner said that it was "a dumb way of expressing myself". Don Mischer, who was to co-produce with Ratner, will likely remain to oversee the Oscars, it is being reported. Ratner, meanwhile, continues to come under fire for his remarks, as is the Academy for not immediately firing him. The Los Angeles Times film columnist Patrick Goldstein wrote, among other comments, Tuesday night: "It's hardly a news flash that Ratner is a crass hustler who's spent his entire career in a Sammy Glick-like rush to get ahead, often behaving with all of the grace and elan of a character out of Entourage."

WHOA!

Lots of folks are wondering whether Eddie Murphy will resign now since most of his early stand-up career revolved around him using the f-word. 

I will say this...if I can quote my love Maya Angelou...."when you know better, you do better". YES, Eddie has used the word countless times, but hopefully he sees that, just like the n-word, it can cause a lot of pain and hurt for a group of people. We haven't heard Eddie use the word in quite some time. Hopefully he realizes that it can be damaging to many people.

I, for one, would love to see Eddie host the OSCARS. We'll have to see how Ratner's resignation will affect him.

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Movie Premiere: Eddie Murphy And "Tower Heist"

You rarely see Eddie Murphy on the red carpet unless he's working. I guess Hollywood can do that to you!

Upcoming OSCAR host Eddie Murphy and his accompanying cast hit the carpet for the "Tower Heist" movie premiere. Stars flocked to the Ziegfeld Theatre in New York City last night to take in the comedy/crime/drama caper about "a group of hard working guys who find out they've fallen victim to a wealthy business man's Ponzi scheme, leading them to conspire to rob his high-rise residence."

Also starring in the film is Ben Stiller, Tea Leoni, Gabourey Sidibe, Casey Afleck and Matthew Broderick.

Check out the cast and other celebs who came out to support the film under the break.....

Could Eddie Murphy Host Next Year's OSCARS???

If so, that would be awesome...don't you think??? It's pretty obvious that when Eddie isn't working, he stays OUT of the public eye. So seeing him host a show like the OSCARS could be VERY comical or very scary! Let's face it...Eddie lis liable to say any and everything out of his mouth!!!

Is Eddie Murphy going to host the 2012 Academy Awards? No decision has officially been made, but sources close to the show say the comedian has emerged as the top candidate to do the honors for the February broadcast. A decision could come as early as this week when producers Brett Ratner and Don Mischer meet with Academy of Motion Pictures President Tom Sherak. Representatives from the Academy declined to comment on Sunday. While nothing is set in stone, the thinking behind Murphy as host is a return to the basics of what has worked on shows past. Recent attempts at changing up the hosting duties from the popular single-comedian format -- two actors (James Franco and Anne Hathaway), two comedians (Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin) -- haven't been as successful. Murphy would represent the kind of talent that has historically worked best: An energetic comedian who is quick to improv -- he's a "Saturday Night Live" veteran and his very R-rated live show "Raw" was turned into a popular film in 1987. Still, his live-on-stage talent hasn't been in use in about a quarter-century, so going with Murphy is a risky decision. Plus, aside from his voice work in the "Shrek" series, Murphy's movie career hasn't exactly been on fire recently. (He was, however, nominated for an Oscar for 2006's "Dreamgirls.") While the producers may believe that putting this famous actor in this role is something of an exciting choice, that could prove to be a big mistake should Murphy's upcoming two movies fail to connect at the box office. His next effort, "Tower Heist" (directed by Ratner) will debut in early November, while the long-shelved, and likely more problematic "A Thousand Words" won't open until January, one month before the Oscars. Besides Murphy, other names being bandied about for hosting duties include Billy Crystal and Jerry Seinfeld. If Murphy is selected, the choice will likely disappoint anyone in Britain who's already laid down money with bookies -- one popular site came out this week with their odds on various possible Oscar hosts, giving the best shot (at 6-1) to Oprah Winfrey, followed by Steve Martin (8-1), Bradley Cooper and Crystal (9-1 each). Murphy wasn't even listed.

Eddie Murphy Has A New Gal...

...and it's not Johnny Gill! *runs and hides*

Funny man Eddie Murphy was spotted with a mystery woman at Mastro's steakhouse in Beverly Hills last night. She's cute Eddie! Let's see how long this lasts.....

Image: PacificCoastNews

Eddie Murphy's Daughter Is The New Face Of "Dark & Lovely"

It's always good to have family members in high places! If the cards are played right, the children can have promising careers also. And this time, it proves no different for Eddie Murphy's oldest daughter Bria Murphy as she was just named the new face of African American hair giant "Dark & Lovely".

Her official title is Global Brand Ambassador, and she was celebrated with a party at Juliet Supper Club in New York City last night.

Both of her parents, Eddie Murphy and Nicole Murphy, were on hand to celebrate their daughter's new job.

Peep flix from the event under the break....