Chris Rock stands by Oscar remarks

Oscar host Chris Rock has defended comments he made about the annual ceremony.

The actor's suitability for the job was called into question by some after he told Entertainment Weekly magzine that the Academy Awards ceremony is little more than a "fashion show" watched only by gay men.

He told the magazine: "I never watched the Oscars, except the Halle Berry/Denzel Washington year. But even then, I went back and forth to other channels.

"Come on, it's a fashion show. No one performs, it's not like a music show.

"Nothing against people who aren't straight, but what straight guy that you know really cares?"

It seems that Rock does not regret his words, as he joked on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno: "I did not say that. I said only gay people watch the Tonys!"

He continued: "I really don't know any straight men who aren't in show business that have ever watched the Oscars. What straight black man sits there and watches the Oscars? The awards don't really affect anybody's lives in the crowd."