Eddie Murphy drops out of Oscars

We thought we’d be able to avoid Ratner-gate 2011, but thanks to the most recent development in what can only be described as the most controversial-yet-boring Oscar drama in history, it’s time to report on the debacle.

Following director Brett Ratner’s exit from his Oscar-producing stint (that comes after his series of “controversial comments”), comedian Eddie Murphy has done the same: bowing out of the Oscars entirely.

In a statement released by the Academy, Murphy explained that he “understands and supports 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,” he continued. “But I’m sure that the new production team and host will do an equally great job.”

Of course, this is only the most recent development in a long line of “are you serious?”-type of behaviour: last week, Ratner (friend of Eddie Murphy – as well as the director of the actor’s latest Tower Heist) came under fire for his use of homophobic slurs, as well as making his fair share of crude comments about actresses Olivia Munn and Lindsay Lohan.

As such, he resigned from his producing gig, leaving quite the void in terms of the 84th Academy Awards ceremony. (And by “void”, we do mean “an opportunity for a more bankable producer”.) We’ll see how this all pans out.