Eddie Murphy exits as Oscar show host

 　　LOS ANGELES, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Actor Eddie Murphy stepped down on Wednesday as host of the 84th Academy Awards telecast, a development which comes a day after show producer Brett Ratner exited due to use of gay slur¹.

　　The comedian² has withdrawn³ as host of the upcoming Oscars ceremony, which is slated⁴ for Feb. 26, 2012, at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced.

　　Ratner, who came under fire for using a gay slur at a Los Angeles screening of his film "Tower Heist" Friday evening, resigned as the producer of next year's Academy Awards ceremony due to intense pressure.

　　"I appreciate how Eddie feels about losing his creative partner, Brett Ratner, and we all wish him well," said Academy President Tom Sherak.

　　For his part, Murphy said in a prepared statement released by the Academy: "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."

　　A replacement⁵ host was not immediately named.

　　Ratner, who appreciates Murphy's talent, has cooperated with the "Saturday Night Live" star on "Tower Heist," a film which is expected to change Murphy's downturn in film-making. Ratner was also talking about another project for Murphy.

　　In September, at the invitation of Ratner, Murphy first took on the hosting duties for the 2012 Oscar event.

1 slur   

v.含糊地说；诋毁；连唱；n.诋毁；含糊的发音

参考例句：

• He took the remarks as a slur on his reputation.他把这些话当作是对他的名誉的中伤。
• The drug made her speak with a slur.药物使她口齿不清。

2 comedian   

n.喜剧演员；滑稽演员

参考例句：

• The comedian tickled the crowd with his jokes.喜剧演员的笑话把人们逗乐了。
• The comedian enjoyed great popularity during the 30's.那位喜剧演员在三十年代非常走红。

3 withdrawn   

vt.收回；使退出；vi.撤退，退出

参考例句：

• Our force has been withdrawn from the danger area.我们的军队已从危险地区撤出。
• All foreign troops should be withdrawn to their own countries.一切外国军队都应撤回本国去。

4 slated   

用石板瓦盖( slate的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• Yuki is working up an in-home phonics program slated for Thursdays, and I'm drilling her on English conversation at dinnertime. Yuki每周四还有一次家庭语音课。我在晚餐时训练她的英语口语。
• Bromfield was slated to become U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. 布罗姆菲尔德被提名为美国农业部长。

5 replacement   

n.取代，替换，交换；替代品，代用品

参考例句：

• We are hard put to find a replacement for our assistant.我们很难找到一个人来代替我们的助手。
• They put all the students through the replacement examination.他们让所有的学生参加分班考试。