Eddie Murphy has joined his "Tower Heist" director Brett Ratner in exiting the 2012 Academy Awards telecast.

Ratner stepped down as producer of the Oscars on Tuesday (Nov. 8) after taking heat over using a gay slur at a screening of "Tower Heist" last week. On Wednesday, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that Murphy had decided to leave the broadcast as well. To read Murphy's and the academy's statements on the matter, it doesn't appear that there's any bad blood.

"First and foremost I want to say that I completely understand and support each party's decision with regard to a change of producers for this year's Academy Awards ceremony," Murphy says. "I was truly looking forward to being a part of the show that our production team and writers were just starting to develop, but I'm sure that the new production team and host will do an equally great job."

Academy president Tom Sherak says, "I appreciated how Eddie feels about losing his creative partner, Brett Ratner, and we all wish him well."

With Murphy out, we'd bet that whoever replaces Ratner as producer will choose a tried-and-true host. We'd like to hear from you, though: Who would you like to see host the 2012 Academy Awards? Vote in the poll below and hit the comments with your choices.