All the Times Chris Rock Took on the #OscarsSoWhite Controversy at the 2016 Oscars

Two-time host pulled no punches when it came to slamming the lack of diversity at the Academy Awards

By Jenna Mullins Feb 29, 2016 4:21 AMTags
Chris Rock, 2016 Oscars, Academy AwardsKevin Winter/Getty Images

We knew Chris Rock wouldn't hold anything back while hosting the 2016 Oscars, and the second-time host definitely delivered…and then some.

The comedian pulled no punches when it came to taking on the #OscarsSoWhite controversy, and though the monologue is where he got the most jabs in, he managed to keep the jokes coming throughout the entire show. Basically, Rock took the Academy to task and he looked like he had a hell of a lot of fun doing it.

Here are all the times Rock took on the lack of diversity at the 2016 Oscars:

When he presented a video called Black History Month Minute, which starred the beautiful Angela Basset:

ABC

We thought Angela was talking about Will Smith when she described a Shark Tale and Enemy of the State actor as "someone who has shattered barriers with his groundbreaking performances" and a "man who has been an inspiration to his people." Nope. Not Will Smith. Jack Black. Well, it is Black History Month.

When Rock threw major shade at Jada Pinkett Smith for her protest of the Oscars:

ABC

"Jada said she's not coming. I was like, ‘isn't she on TV show?'" she said. "Jada's gonna boycott the Oscars? Jada boycotting the Oscars is like me boycotting Rihanna's panties. I wasn't invited!"

When he announced that Stacey Dash would be the new director of the minority outreach program:

ABC

And then the outspoken Clueless star waved awkwardly. Seriously. It was awkward for everyone. Just look at how Chrissy Teigen and Olivia Munn reacted:

 

ABC

Yeah. Yikes.

When he came out of commercials with a simple yet hilarious: "We're black!"

ABC

When he did not let his feelings about a certain Oscars snub go unheard with this introduction: "Now, please welcome one of this year's nominees, Rachel McAdams, and a shoulda-been-nominee, Michael B. Jordan.

ABC

When he opened up the show with: "Well, I'm here at the Academy Awards, otherwise known as the White Peoples Choice Awards."

ABC

He also jokingly noted after the opening montage that he "counted at least 15 black people" in the supercut of the biggest movie moments of the year.

When he went "as far away from Hollywood as he could" to Compton to talk to movie-goers about the #OscarsSoWhite controversy:

ABC

While the skit was mostly hilarious, Rock did get some truly powerful responses. "This should be not just white," one man said. "It should be Asian, Hispanic…there's so much talent out there of all races."

Finally, when he ended the night with this important message: "I'd like to invite everyone to the BET Awards this summer. This has been amazing experience! Black lives matter!"

ABC

All with Michael Keaton just munching on Girl Scout cookies directly next to him.

What did you think of Chris Rock as this year's Oscars host?

Watch: Whoopi Goldberg Gives Chris Rock Advice for Oscars 2016