It didn’t take long before the homophobic remarks of Brett Ratner along with his other insensitive and tasteless comments over the last few weeks have resulted in him tendering his resignation as producer of this year’s Oscar telecast. Whose bright idea was that in the first place? I’m just glad that he had the decency to resign (though part of me thinks that the Academy talked to him privately and urged him to step down or face public termination, which may have been more damaging to his ego).

Of course Don Mischer is now producing the telecast alone, though it’s still possible to bring in a replacement.

Speculation abounds whether Ratner’s personal choice of Eddie Murphy will also leave the show, but I have big doubts about that. Murphy has made no bones about his desire to host the Oscars, so he’s not going to take himself out of that job voluntarily. And since he’s said nothing wrong, I don’t see any reason for the Academy to back peddle on the decision.