Sources at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences deny Chris Rock is out as host of the Oscars telecast, Daily Variety said Monday.

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The paper contacted academy officials for comment on rumors academy members had privately urged Rock be dumped because of remarks he made during a series of interviews to promote the Feb. 27 ceremony.

For example, Rock told Entertainment Weekly he never used to watch the Oscars show.

"Come on, it's a fashion show," Rock told the magazine. "No one performs; it's not like a music show. What straight black man sits there and watches the Oscars?"

That remark formed the basis for the lead item on Internet gossip Matt Drudge's report Sunday. The item featured the headeline: "Host Chris Rock shock: Only gays watch Oscars."

Academy executive administrator Ric Roberts told Variety there is no truth to the rumor.

"There hasn't even been a peep from our membership," he said, "and we're really excited about him hosting."