Chris Rock tackles #OscarsSoWhite controversy in monologue

The racial issue which created a boycott and a major discussion about race was addressed head-on.

"Well, I'm here at the Academy Awards, otherwise known as the White People Choice Awards".

I'd say it was a successful Oscar's and it was a night that was a long time coming. "So this whole "no black nominees" thing has happened at least 71 other times".

Lastly I just want to say this: [Vaping is] about man's relationship to the natural world...

He said: "I didn't watch - I didn't - but online people are talking and someone posted the tasteless joke that Chris Rock did in his opening". And black people did not protest. Why?

The Rev. Al Sharpton is taking partial credit for this year's decline in Oscars viewership, saying the ratings drop "should send a message" to Hollywood that diversity matters. "We had real things to protest; you know, we're too busy being raped and lynched to care about who won best cinematographer". They're going to have the Oscars anyway. "'And the victor for the 18th year in a row is Wanda Sykes!'".

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"You're damn right Hollywood is racist". The comedian poked fun at Hollywood's "sorority" racism, claiming that all black actors want are the "same opportunities". You hear it on the Internet, you hear it from other people, and you know the truth is... you know, we always strive for the best in what we do.

The awards show tried to toe a tricky line - celebrating the night's overwhelmingly white nominees, while also calling itself and the Hollywood at-large out for yet another year of snubbing filmmakers and actors of color.

Rock's monologue alternated between jokes and more serious statements echoing those of black leaders who have called for the movie industry to be more inclusive in hiring and casting minorities. I wanted to speak about that tonight because, simultaneously while doing this very fulfilling film that Alejandro directed, I've been doing a documentary about climate change, which has brought me to Greenland, to China, to India to speak with the world's leading experts on this issue.

"It's not about boycotting anything". We wanted him to take all that on. "It's like, 'We don't need two of these!'"

Lady Gaga then performed "Till It Happens to You" backed by a choir made up entirely of sexual abuse survivors.