“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.” – Tower Heist star Eddie Murphy, in a statement on the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences site concerning his stepping down as host of this year’s Oscarcast after his pal, director Bret Ratner, was fired as co-producer of the ceremony for a few too many public “fag” comments.