The move returned Crystal, arguably the best Oscar host of the modern era, back where he belongs. And the imbroglio following former show producer Brett Ratner’s vile anti-gay comments seemed forgotten, if but for a moment.

Turns out the public may not be eager to forget that the dust up ever happened.

A new poll commissioned by The Hollywood Reporter reveals viewers wish Murphy were still hosting the event.

Market research firm Penn Schoen Berland surveyed 510 awards-show viewers aged 13 to 59 and compared the results against similar surveys about Murphy and 2011 hosts James Franco and Anne Hathaway.

In head-to-head competition, Murphy is the choice of 58 percent of viewers, compared with Crystal’s 42 percent … and African-Americans are more than 2½ times less likely to watch Crystal.

One note of consequence from the pollster – Crystal’s appeal “is significantly older, female and conservative.”

Crystal is no Charlton Heston, or even Jon Voight. The comedian doesn’t insult conservatives or their values while hosting the Oscar telecast. He simply puts on a grand show and lets the movies share the spotlight.

This week, movie producer Brett Ratner was forced out as the producer of the Oscars telecast after using a gay slur on Howard Stern’s radio show. Let me begin by pointing out that Brett Ratner is an idiot. Anyone who uses the slur he used in an interview — even an interview with Howard Stern — is an idiot. However, the real story here isn’t that some idiot in Hollywood said something stupid. The real story is the situational morality and selective outrage of the left — and in particular the gay left.

Where was the left’s outrage when an actor like Orlando Jones joked about killing Sarah Palin? Where is the left’s outrage when Rosie O’Donnell talks about 9/11 being an inside job? Was Jones blacklisted in Hollywood? Was Rosie forced to walk across broken glass and hot coals to beg for forgiveness? No, these and other Hollywood idiots get a free pass because they chose to bash a person or group that the left has decided is worthy of hate and scorn. The hypocrisy is stunning and no group is more stunning in its hypocrisy and its selective outrage than the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Definition (GLAAD).

GLAAD is the leading mouthpiece for the gay Gestapo in this country. While pretending to be the vanguard for tolerance and diversity, the gay Gestapo is actually committed to stomping out anyone who doesn’t buy into their radical left-wing political agenda. For all the talk of “tolerance” and “diversity,” it is clear that there is zero tolerance for ideological diversity with the gay Gestapo.

GLAAD’s tag line is “Words and images matter.” Of course, this didn’t stop GLAAD from giving its “Blogger of the Year Award” to Joe Jervis of the blog “Joe My God.” Jervis’s blog, which has been the subject of a Daily Caller story in the past, regularly attacks gay conservatives. As was pointed out in the Daily Caller story from earlier this year, “Jervis’s site is littered with hateful and misogynistic comments on his message boards …”

Full story here.

Christopher R. Barron is a Republican political consultant and Chairman of the Board of GOProud, a national organization for gay conservatives and their allies. He blogs at Red Barron.

The self-described King of All Media lashed out via his SiriusXM radio show at the pressure put on director Brett Ratner to abandon his perch as the Oscar telecast producer after Ratner used the word “fags” in public.

Stern, who learned of Ratner’s “fag” slur from The Hollywood Reporter, said he stopped using that word a while ago, but that Ratner wasn’t gay-bashing when he used it, therefore he shouldn’t have lost his job as producer of the 84^th Academy Awards telecast …

Then he laid into Hollywood, calling it “a town where people have to run around closeted for many different things.”

“This is the same industry, by the way, that wants Roman Polanski to be forgiven for raping a 13-year old, that it’s time he be let back in the United States. I would hang him by his balls,” Stern said.

“There’s a lot of confusing morality here,” Stern said. “And I know the industry wants to think of themselves as pristine, but I believe they’ve given two Academy Awards to a woman [Hilary Swank] who just honored the president of Chechnya… this guy is despicable.”

Related: Murphy upset over Ratner departure (The Wrap).

(AFP) Veteran star Eddie Murphy has quit as host of next year’s Oscars show, following his long-time producer Brett Ratner who resigned after making an anti-gay slur, organizers said Wednesday.

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences President Tom Sherak announced Murphy’s departure a day after Ratner — director of current box office hit “Tower Heist,” in which Murphy stars — quit as producer of the February show.

“I appreciate how Eddie feels about losing his creative partner, Brett Ratner, and we all wish him well,” said Sherak in a statement.

Murphy said: “First and foremost I want to say that 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,” he added in the Oscars statement.

No immediate replacement was announced for either Murphy or Ratner.

Ratner, a prolific director and producer whose work also includes 2006’s “X-Men: The Last Stand,” made the offending comment at a discussion about “Tower Heist” last week, in response to a question about how he works.

The Los Angeles Times commented in a blog: “Ratner not only embarrassed the academy by insulting legions of gay people (who are perhaps the Oscars’ last remaining loyal demographic).

“He also made himself look like even more of an artistic featherweight by making it clear that he views the hard work and preparation that most filmmakers put into their craft — i.e. rehearsal time — as being for chumps, not fast-talking smoothies like himself.”

Next year’s Oscars show — the 84th Academy Awards, at which Hollywood’s most coveted prizes, the famous golden statuettes, are handed out — is scheduled for February 26.

Keep in mind that all this hoopla, phony outrage, and McCarthyism is over the following:

“Rehearsal is for fags.”

And now, because artistic freedom is dead in Hollywood, Brett Ratner is going to get the Tracy Morgan treatment — a THREE YEAR re-education tour:

Following meetings with GLAAD as well as outrage from community members and allies, Ratner issued an apology and today resigned as producer of the 84yth Annual Academy Awards. GLAAD and Ratner are working to convene public discussions featuring leaders in the entertainment industry about promoting fair and accurate inclusions of LGBT people and stories. The discussions will address anti-LGBT jokes and slurs in films and on television today as well as their trickle-down effect into popular culture. The first event will take place in coming weeks with additional discussions to take place over the next three years. Additional details to follow.

“When we sat down with Brett today, he seemed very sincere in his desire to use this experience as a way to begin speaking out against anti-gay language in popular culture,” said Herndon Graddick, Senior Director of Programs and Communications at GLAAD. “We believe his resignation is just the first step and will be announcing a series of concrete actions with Brett in coming days and weeks.”

Actually, this is McCarthyism on steroids. During the witch hunts of the 1950s, at least some fought back and spoke out, but today no one in the industry has the courage to to even squeak in protest. They’re either silent or on board. And someday, if this great Republic of ours survives long enough, honest people will write the history of this era of Hollywood and it will be covered in shame.

Like I said yesterday, this fascistic push has nothing to do with sensitivity or anti-gay bullying or concern for others. Every day, Hollywood defames and roars with bigoted pride against Christians, conservatives and Southerners. This isn’t about bigotry; this is about control.

And it should also be said that contrary to what some of you post in the comments, this has nothing to do with “the gays.” It’s not “the gays” going on a fascist rampage in Hollywood today, it’s “the left.” Don’t fall into that trap. The left always finds wedges and uses them to divide us in furtherance of their sinister goal to take over our lives and control our speech and thought. Not everyone at the Ministry of Truth we call GLAAD is homosexual, and you can bet that not everyone cheering this on is either.

What they all are, however, is leftists. And trust me, they are not offended in the least over what Ratner said. They loved that he said it, because they love any opportunity to bully and terrorize and throw their weight around.

Gay or straight, doesn’t matter. These are bad people. Period.

Almost every day, Hollywood pisses me off with the insults and stereotypes they hurl against who I am and what I hold dear. But the thought of calling for someone to be fired and/or humiliated on some creepy re-education tour– man alive, these are bad people.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences confirmed Ratner’s departure. President Tom Sherak said in a statement that the 42-year-old filmmaker “did the right thing for the academy and for himself.”

“Brett is a good person, but his comments were unacceptable,” Sherak said.

Ratner used a pejorative term for gay men during a question-and-answer session at a screening of his film “Tower Heist.” He also discussed his sexual exploits on a recent episode of “The Howard Stern Show.”

Ratner issued a lengthy statement Tuesday apologizing for his behavior and explaining his resignation as producer of the 2012 Oscar telecast. The academy had announced in August that Ratner would produce the show with TV veteran Don Mischer, who helmed the 2011 broadcast.

In a letter beginning, “Dear Colleagues,” Ratner apologized for “the hurtful and stupid things I said in a number of recent media appearances.”

“As difficult as the last few days have been for me, they cannot compare to the experience of any young man or woman who has been the target of offensive slurs or derogatory comments,” he said.

Ratner went on to say that he is “taking real action over the coming weeks and months in an effort to do everything I can both professionally and personally to help stamp out the kind of thoughtless bigotry I’ve so foolishly perpetrated.”

The director, whose credits also include the “Rush Hour” films, said that being asked to produce the Oscar show “was the proudest moment of my career,” but he didn’t want to distract from the academy “and the high ideals it represents.”

I don’t approve of, like, or use the word “fag,” but I know a raging double standard when I see one, and I also know a bunch of humorless prudes who make the Church Lady look like Hugh Hefner. We’ve spent years watching leftist Hollywood attack the identity, values, beliefs and everything held dear by over half of this country. For decades they’ve mocked, lied, demeaned, snarked, stereotyped, and flown their flag of bigotry like the Hollywood résumé enhancer it is.

And never ever forget that leftist Hollywood has celebrated, defended, and bestowed honors upon a craven piece of scum who drugged, raped, and sodomized a 13 year-old girl.

But here’s what finally has these same hypocrites in a sanctimonious tizzy:  “Rehearsal is for fags.”

Remember that in leftist Hollywood, you can call the Pope a Nazi, joke about killing a mother of five named Sarah Palin, and relentlessly mock and stereotype Southerners as toothless, inbred sister-humpers eager to make you squeal like a pig. Oh, and feature films can revolve around the mocking of Christians. But, BY GOD, don’t you dare tell a joke that includes a gay slur.

Spare me, you hypocritical bigots.

Spare.

Me.

These people are a thousand times worse than Will H. Hays, who was at least somewhat consistent in his censorship. And if they agree to go to Hell, I promise to carry their bags to the door.

No fat suits, kiddie co-stars or superfluous sequels. Just Murphy being Murphy – fast talking, lightning fast and utterly captivating.

But Murphy’s renaissance isn’t all that’s right with “Tower Heist.” Much maligned director Brett Ratner (the “Rush Hour” trilogy) squeezes everything out of his cast to make this a rare treat – a mainstream action comedy that doesn’t insult the audience.

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Ben Stiller stars as Josh Kovacs, a dedicated hotel manager who knows precisely how to make every guest happy. He’s especially clued into the building’s resident millionaire, Arthur Shaw (Alan Alda). The two play chess via their computers, and Josh makes it his business to see that all of Arthur’s material needs are met.

Arthur insists he’s still just a kid from Astoria, even if he swims in a rooftop pool every evening. It’s a nice pose, one that has the hotel workers fooled … for a while.

Josh’s image of Arthur is shattered when a team of FBI agents swarm the hotel and arrest the millionaire on embezzlement charges. What’s worse is that Josh entrusted Arthur with not only his personal pension but those belonging to his fellow hotel workers. Now, that money appears gone for good.

The affable Josh isn’t ready to kiss all that cash goodbye, at least not without a fight. He devises a plan to break into Arthur’s hotel suite and steal the man’s millions – assuming that he’s actually hid them so close to home.

The catch? Neither Josh not his fellow tower heisters – a broke family man (Matthew Broderick), a naive electrician (Michael Pena) and a father to be (Casey Affleck) know the first thing about breaking – or entering. So Josh bails out an old childhood acquaintance named Slide (Murphy) to teach them the fine art of thievery.

Ratner’s films almost always make serious coin, but he’s engendered very little respect from film critics. That’s an oversight that should be corrected starting with “Heist.” Ratner makes sure we get to know, and bond with, the characters swindled by Arthur. And while Hollywood loves to demonize the rich, Alda brings a texture to his character that defies lazy stereotypes.

Stiller radiates his stock Everyman appeal, but he gives Josh a hint of a New Yawk accent to lend the character some bite. It’s a tiny touch, but a welcome one since too many Manhattan-based films don’t even bother to try. Even better is how Stiller modulates his relationship with Arthur, segueing from genuine admiration to a sinking sense of distrust.

“Tower Heist” won’t go down as one of Murphy’s best comedies. Films like “Beverly Hills Cop,” “Coming to America” and “Bowfinger” still stand in the way. But Murphy’s turn here bodes well not only for his career but the biggest gig he’ll get in 2012 – hosting the Academy Awards telecast.

Eddie Murphy To Host Oscars

Late today. Catching up after being away for a few days, and part of that is always the good, long cry that occurs after a glimpse of my email inbox.

Choosing Eddie Murphy is why I was excited about bringing Brett Ratner on board to produce the Oscars. Murphy is a brilliant choice; funny, unpredictable and filled with a healthy dislike of the industry that made him so wealthy.  Best of all, he’s not going to sit there and allow bad jokes and writing to stand. Because he doesn’t care about anything but how well he’ll do, he’ll fight for what he wants against the lazies entrenched in the Oscar writing room and likely with Ratner having his back.

This is one of those inspired choices that’s so simple you can’t believe YOU didn’t think of it.

On a scale of 1 to 10, my interest in watching the telecast just went from DREAD to a good, solid 4.5.

More on how the deal came together here.

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QUICK HITS

THE FUTURE ACCORDING TO THE MOVIES

INSIDE LEIGH BRACKETT’S ORIGINAL DRAFT OF THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK…

…AND WHY IT WORKED SO WELL

A NEW WESTERN FROM JOHN CARPENTER?

COOL BLOG: ‘MATTE SHOT – A TRIBUTE TO GOLDEN ERA SPECIAL EFFECTS’

WAS POST-MODERNISM BORN WITH ‘CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND’?

VIN DIESEL IN PRE-PRODUCTION ON NEW RIDDICK FILM

LEGENDARY, OSCAR-WINNING EDITOR/SOUND DESIGNER WALTER MURCH ON WHY 3-D DOESN’T WORK

‘THE SHINING’ AND THE IMPOSSIBLE LAYOUT OF THE OVERLOOK HOTEL

A CLIP FROM ‘THE THING’ 2011 

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–Please send tips/suggestions/requests to jnolte@breitbart.com

–Thanks again to the indispensible ScottDS

–BRETT RATNER TO PRODUCE OSCAR TELECAST–

This is a SUPERB idea. Truly. Other than the fact that we don’t like most of the people who show up to present and receive Oscars (hey, they started it), for years the problem with the telecast has been structure and pacing. The show just lies there for four hours in fits of starts and stops and never feels like it’s building towards anything. Any surge in momentum or anticipation is always snuffed by pointless montages and dance numbers no one, and I mean NO ONE, likes.

Who better to solve this problem than an action director. Especially an unpretentious one well known for his love of Old Hollywood. After last year’s disastrous telecast, I had suggested a reality-show producer take over, someone who knows how to craft and structure a compelling story out of nothing. This is actually a better idea.

Furthermore, I’m a Brett Ratner fan and it’s nice to see the man get a little respect.

–“RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES” AT 82% FRESH–

Someone who looks an awful lot like me might have to eat his words over this one. I’ve been trashing the “Apes” prequel since the first trailer was released, certain it was a campy disaster. But most critics (including our own Kurt Loder) like it. Some are even comparing it to the original “King Kong” — to which I can only say, Slow down there.

Believe it or not, I love being wrong about stuff like this. Even publicly wrong.

May “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” be a masterpiece and make a billion dollars.

–PHOTO OF ANNE HATHAWAY’S CATWOMAN RELEASED–

Given his options, director Christopher Nolan couldn’t have done much better than hiring Anne Hathaway to play Catwoman. (Penelope Cruz would’ve been interesting.) She’s a solid actress, a woman (not a girl), and doesn’t lack for sex appeal. But this production still lacks a little something I like to call va-va-va-voom. Maybe it’s the dorky glasses.

When you’re competing with Julie Newmar and Michelle Pfeiffer,  first impressions matter. This one has only captured my indifference. Plenty of time to recover, though. Plenty of time.

–END OF AN ERA: JERRY LEWIS WILL NO LONGER HOST MDA TELETHON–

Lewis has been doing this every year since the year I was born in 1966. It’s hard to imagine flipping through the channels on Labor Day and not seeing the 85 year-old comedian pop up somewhere along the line. Though I can’t remember the last time I actually watched the telethon, there was the comfort of knowing it was still there and that Lewis was still going strong.

The word is that Lewis is too ill to even make a farewell appearance this year. I had heard that he intended to make a sing a farewell song — which would’ve been perfect.

60 years as MDA Chairman, $2.5 BILLION raised.

Godspeed, Jerry.

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LAST NIGHT’S SCREENING

Worked late last night. Fell asleep to “Ancient Aliens.” So other than bizarre dreams, nothing to report.

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TODAY’S QUICK HITS

ALREADY TALK OF A DIRECTOR FOR “THOR 2″

DOES THIS MEAN NO “BIG MOMMA’S HOUSE 4″?

GOOD TITLE

THE “SHORT CIRCUIT” REMAKE WE’VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR … OR NOT.

THIS IS NOT GOING TO END WELL

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE FLAMETHROWER IN FILM

10 THING YOU PROBABLY DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT “STAR TREK”

GORGEOUS, PREVIOUSLY UNPUBLISHED PHOTOS, OF LUCY

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CLASSIC PICK FOR SATURDAY AUGUST 6, 2011

TCM:

4:30 PM EST: Best Foot Forward (1943) — A movie star wreaks havoc when she accepts an invitation to a military academy dance. Dir: Edward Buzzell Cast:  Lucille Ball, William Gaxton, Virginia Weidler. C-94 mins, TV-G, CC.

In honor of her 100th birthday, TCM gives us a full day of Lucille Ball, including this musical charmer, where the drop-dead beautiful actress plays herself. The plot is simple, the execution sincere, and the musical numbers surprisingly good, especially Harry James’ memorable rendition of “Flight of the Bumble Bee” (the bandleader can cut a rug, too!). The real star is the dialogue, which delivers plenty of laughs– thanks mainly to the contrived plot complications and Lucy’s sharp-edged delivery.

Look for June Allyson, Gloria DeHaven, Tommy Dix, Chill Wills, and a terrific, scene-stealing Nancy Walker (in her screen debut) in the supporting cast and prepare yourself for 94-minutes of light entertainment delivered with the kind of energy, gloss, and starpower classic Hollywood was so famous for.

–Please send tips/suggestions/requests to jnolte@breitbart.com