If you've ever wondered what a Brett Ratner produced Oscar telecast would be like, well, you're probably never going to find out. While we eagerly awaited to see how Chris Tucker would be utilized in the broadcast in February, it looks like the words coming out the mouth of Ratner have rubbed the shrimp loving folks of the Academy the wrong way. THR has revealed that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has ousted Ratner from producing the telecast has accepted Ratner's decision to step down from the gig. An open letter explaining his decision is forthcoming.
All of this comes on the heels of a nearly Charlie Sheen-esque press run that has seen Ratner brag about banging Olivia Munn (then apologizing for it and claiming he never slept with her at all), saying that rehearsals were for "fags" and just yesterday, going on to "The Howard Stern Show" and giving a no holds barred account of: his sperm count; how condoms strangle his cock; throwing baloney on a girl's ass; his preference for how vaginas are groomed; how he sends a woman to his doctor before he sleeps with them; and a detailed account of the time he was caught screwing a Victoria Secret's model only to be walked in on by his then girlfriend Lindsay Lohan. We're not kidding. And that's only the half of the interview we listened to so far. Looks like somebody could've used a rehearsal before going on a press run.
The big question now is what will become of Eddie Murphy, the mooted host whose involvement seemed directly tied to Ratner leading the show. Also no word on who will take over the producing gig with the awards looming just three and a half months away. There's no formal announcement yet, but one is expected soon. But until then, listen to the full Ratner/Stern interview below. It's kind of amazing.
Update: Here's Brett Ratner's open letter to the entertainment industry:
An Open Letter to the Entertainment Industry from Brett Ratner
Dear Colleagues,
Over the last few days, I’ve gotten a well-deserved earful from many of the people I admire most in this industry expressing their outrage and disappointment over the hurtful and stupid things I said in a number of recent media appearances. To them, and to everyone I’ve hurt and offended, I’d like to apologize publicly and unreservedly.
As difficult as the last few days have been for me, they cannot compare to the experience of any young man or woman who has been the target of offensive slurs or derogatory comments. And they pale in comparison to what any gay, lesbian, or transgender individual must deal with as they confront the many inequalities that continue to plague our world.
So many artists and craftspeople in our business are members of the LGBT community, and it pains me deeply that I may have hurt them. I should have known this all along, but at least I know it now: words do matter. Having love in your heart doesn’t count for much if what comes out of your mouth is ugly and bigoted. With this in mind, and to all those who understandably feel that apologies are not enough, please know that I will be taking real action over the coming weeks and months in an effort to do everything I can both professionally and personally to help stamp out the kind of thoughtless bigotry I’ve so foolishly perpetuated.
As a first step, I called Tom Sherak this morning and resigned as a producer of the 84th Academy Awards telecast. Being asked to help put on the Oscar show was the proudest moment of my career. But as painful as this may be for me, it would be worse if my association with the show were to be a distraction from the Academy and the high ideals it represents.
I am grateful to GLAAD for engaging me in a dialogue about what we can do together to increase awareness of the important and troubling issues this episode has raised and I look forward to working with them. I am incredibly lucky to have a career in this business that I love with all of my heart and to be able to work alongside so many of my heroes. I deeply regret my actions and I am determined to learn from this experience.
Sincerely, Brett Ratner
