Oscars 2016: What to expect from host Chris Rock

Will all of the recent controversy about the Oscars have some sort of significant impact in the awards-show’s ratings? That’s something that remains to be seen, but for the time being we’re starting to think that the show on ABC tonight could have some of the biggest ratings in some time … mostly thanks to Chris Rock.

Let’s put it this way. If you are a serious movie buff, then there was probably nothing that could deter you from wanting to check out this show when it airs on TV. Meanwhile, if you are someone either angry at the Oscar voters for not nominating a single minority actor, you may still want to watch just to see what Rock has to say to make fun of them. In some ways, the show lucked out in hiring Chris before the nominations were announced, ensuring that they would have someone who would hit them hard over the errors, while also attract a wide audience, including those who are cynical about the institution in the first place.

Getting Rock on board may be in many ways a win-win, unless you are an Academy voter who doesn’t want to be blasted for some of your policies. We expect many jokes about the nominees, but not so many that their nominations start to feel invalidated. We also expect plenty about the films themselves.

As for political humor, we really cannot imagine the whole show going by without Donald Trump’s name at least being mentioned. Love him or hate him, he is the one political candidate everyone has been willing to discuss at some point.