I found this online via nydailynews.com *Eddie Murphy has bailed out of hosting the Academy Awards a day after his producing pal Brett Ratner was shamed into leaving the show.
Murphy has withdrawn as the host, according to a statement released by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences.
“I appreciate how Eddie feels about losing his creative partner, Brett Ratner, and we all wish him well,” Academy President Tom Sherak said in a statement.
Late Tuesday, Ratner exited his job as executive producer of the awards ceremony after a firestorm erupted when he used a gay slur during a public screening of his film “Tower Heist” (which co-stars Murphy). He later apologized, though eventually was ousted as producer of the Oscars.
“First and fore
