Oscars 2015: Neil Patrick Harris Pokes Fun At Awards' 'Whitest Year Yet'

This year’s Oscar host Neil Patrick Harris wasn’t shy when it came to poking fun at the Academy’s failure to recognise any actors of colour in this year’s nominations.

His opening speech included a barbed dig at the awards when he opened with: "Welcome to the 87th Oscars. Tonight, we honor Hollywood's best and whitest. Sorry, brightest." which garnered a huge laugh in Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre.

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Later on, between awards, he went into the crowd and spoke to ‘Selma’ star David Oyelowo. He introduced the British actor to the audience who gave him a huge cheer, to which Patrick Harris responded “oh, now you like him!” in reference to the British star’s perceived “snub”.

Many think Oyelowo should have been nominated for his performance as civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. but he missed out completely.

When the Academy Awards nominations were announced earlier this year, it was quickly pointed out that there were no people of colour listed amongst the 20 available best actor/actress nominations, with many critics labelling it “the whitest Oscars in years”.

Neil Patrick Harris seems hell-bent on shaming the Academy voters to make sure it doesn’t happen again. Good on him!

Image credits: Getty Images