Watch out, Oscar viewers! According to the LAT, the Academy is loosening the bowtie by a millimeter or so and letting it all hang out to accommodate the "hip-hop loose and in-your-face" style of host Chris Rock's "hip-hop-direct brand of comedy." You want in-your-face? How about nominees receiving their awards while still in their seats? Awww snap! And how about a little of that hip-hop-direct somethin-somethin:

Rock will also be "recognizing" certain members of the audience, [Oscar producer Gil] Cates said, in the style of "The Ed Sullivan Show."

In the words of Ray Charles, via double-nominee Jamie Foxx: Ohhh! Ahhh! OOOHHH! Ahhh! Nothing says hip-hop like a bit lifted from Ed Sullivan, yo. But please don't get too scared about the telecast's new direction; when the camera scans the audience in a desperate hunt for black people, you'll still see the reassuring faces of the Oscar-endorsed Denzel Washington and Halle Berry.

• Oscar's risks don't end at Chris Rock [LAT, reg. req'd.]


• Chris Rock Ready To Get Edgy At Oscars [Defamer]

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