Eddie Murphy Drops Out of Oscars Hosting Gig

Eddie Murphy won't be hosting the Oscars after all. One day after buddy Brett Ratner stepped down as producer for using a gay slur, Murphy announced that he would not be part of the show. Murphy is one of the stars of director Ratner's new flick, Tower Heist. The Oscar folks now have about three months to fill the two key posts.

Murphy's statement, from the Los Angeles Times: "First and foremost I want to say 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." Click for more on the story. (More Eddie Murphy stories.)