LOS ANGELES (AP) – Oscar night belonged to host Chris Rock, who launched immediately into the uproar over the lack of diversity in this year’s nominees, and he didn’t let up.

Rock called the Oscars, “The White People’s Choice Awards.”

In his much anticipated opening monologue, he asked “Is Hollywood racist? He said “Hollywood is sorority racist. It’s like: We like you Rhonda, but you’re not a Kappa.” Rock had stayed quiet before the ceremony as the controversy raged over the second straight year of all-white acting nominees, leaving Hollywood and viewers eagerly awaiting his one-liners.

He confessed that he deliberated over joining the Oscars boycott and bowing out as host, but concluded: “The last thing I need is to lose another job to Kevin Hart.”

Outside the Oscars were protests, including one outside the Dolby Theatre by the Rev. Al Sharpton.