Due to the mixed reception and lower ratings resulting from the previous year 's ceremony , producers Neil Meron and Craig Zadan declined to helm the upcoming festivities . Shortly afterwards , actor Neil Patrick Harris announced that he would not host the Oscars for a second time . In an interview released from '' The Huffington Post '' , he said " I do n't know that my family nor my soul could take it . It ’s a beast . It was fun to check off the list , but for the amount of time spent and the understandable opinionated response , I do n’t know that it ’s a delightful balance to do every year or even again . " In September 2015 , AMPAS recruited David Hill and Reginald Hudlin as producers of the ceremony . " We 're delighted to have this talented team on board , " AMPAS president Cheryl Boone Isaacs said in a press release announcing the decision , " David is a true innovator with a dynamic personality . His vast experience as a live events producer , coupled with Reginald 's energy , creativity and talent as a filmmaker , is sure to make this year 's Oscar telecast a memorable one . " The following month , Hill and Hudlin selected actor and comedian Chris Rock to host the 2016 telecast . They explained their decision to hire Rock back as host saying , " Chris Rock is truly the MVP of the entertainment industry . Comedian , actor , writer , producer , director , documentarian — he 's done it all . He 's going to be a phenomenal Oscar host ! " Rock expressed that he was thrilled to be selected to emcee the gala again , commenting , " I 'm so glad to be hosting the Oscars , it 's great to be back . " Several other individuals participated in the production of the ceremony . Radio disc jockey and personality Ellen K served as announcer for the show . Byron Phillips and Harold Wheeler were hired as music producer and music director respectively . For a third consecutive year Derek McLane returned to design a new set for the show . Fatima Robinson was in charge of choreography for the broadcast . For the first time , the Oscar statuettes were manufactured by Polich Tallix Fine Art Foundry in Rock Tavern , New York . In a further effort to streamline acceptance speeches , dedications were displayed on an on-screen ticker , rather than read by the winner . Prior to introducing singer Lady Gaga 's performance of Best Original Song nominee " Til It Happens to You " from the documentary film '' The Hunting Ground '' , U.S. Vice President Joe Biden pleaded with viewers to sign an online pledge supporting " It 's On Us " to end campus sexual assault
previous year 's ceremony
87th Academy Awards
88th Academy Awards