He might want to leave the R. Kelly jokes at home.

Chris Rock, who has been brutal to celebrities as the host of several past MTV Video Music Awards shows, has been tapped to host the somewhat more conservative Academy Awards.

"I am a huge fan of Chris Rock," Gil Cates, the producer of the Oscars telecast, said in a statement Thursday (October 14). "He always makes me laugh and he always has something interesting to say. Chris represents the best of the new generation of comics. Having him host the Oscars is terrific."

The Academy Awards ceremony, now in its 77th year, will be broadcast live February 27 on ABC.

Rock, whose fourth comedy album, Never Scared, was released in August (see [article id="1489745"]"Chris Rock Spoofs 'Hey Ya!': 'It's Like Public Enemy -- But Funny' "[/article]), is currently shooting a remake of "The Longest Yard" (see [article id="1489358"]"Nelly To Join Adam Sandler, Chris Rock In 'The Longest Yard' "[/article]). The comedy is due in May, the same month the animated "Madagascar," featuring Rock's voice, hits theaters.

In August, Rock said he preferred not to host the Video Music Awards every year to avoid making jokes about the same things (see [article id="1490613"]"Chris Rock Would Have Hosted The VMAs This Year, If ..." [/article]).

For all the latest Oscar news and awards-season fashion photos, check out [article id="1497474"]"Movies on MTV.com: Oscars 2005."[/article]

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