Bret McKenzie unlikely to perform at Oscars (+video)

His song has been nominated for an Oscar, but Bret McKenzie won't be allowed to perform it at the Oscars.

According to reports, the Kiwi comedian has been denied the opportunity to perform the song Man or Muppet at the February 26 Oscars ceremony.

Man or Muppet, from the movie The Muppets, is up for Best Original Song, and has only one competitor: Real in Rio, from the movie Rio.

Deadline.com reported the studios behind both movies protested the decision not to have the performances of either song, but were turned down.

"It seems like a huge missed opportunity to me, and we certainly tried," an insider said.

"It doesn't make sense. They could have so much fun with Muppets and Rio staging," said another.

At the time of his nomination, McKenzie told nzherald.co.nz he was "over the moon".

"I knew there was a chance, but I definitely wasn't sure we were going to get a nomination."

Man or Muppet, sung by How I Met Your Mother star Jason Segel, was one of three songs from the film long-listed for nomination.

"I'm really happy it's Man or Muppet - that's my favourite song in the film," said McKenzie.

"I think it is the best musical moment in the film. It's the strongest musical moment.

"Everyone has had a time in their life when they've thought, 'Am I a man or a Muppet?'.

"I think it connects on multiple levels."

- Herald online