Oscar bosses are standing behind Chris Rock as their choice to host this year's Academy Awards ceremony.
The comedian's suitability had been called into question after he said the event was a "fashion show".
Head Of State star Rock made his controversial remarks to a US magazine two weeks before presenting the glitzy bash.
Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Rock said he could never watch an Oscar ceremony all the way through because he lost interest.
Rock said: "I never watched the Oscars, except the Halle Berry/ Denzel Washington year. But even then, I went back and forth to other channels."
He added: "Come on, it's a fashion show. What straight black man sits there and watches the Oscars? Show me one."
Oscar producer Gil Cates dismissed reports that Rock's comments had offended anyone at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
He said: "The Academy is excited about Chris Rock hosting this year's Oscar telecast and looking forward to a very funny evening with him."


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