The fallout of Kevin Hart‘s recent departure from being the host of the 2019 Academy Awards continues to unravel. With the Academy unable to find a replacement, there are reports that the ceremony may not even have a host. More on that, below.
Variety says that the Academy is currently scrambling to find a replacement for Hart. The comedian departed from the role last week when old-tweets with homophobic tones started to surface. In order to calm the situation and ease tensions between Hart and the LGBTQ+ community, the Academy gave Hart an ultimatum, apologize or walk down. At first, Hart did neither. Hours later, he announced that he would not be the show’s host next year.
Social media and the Internet has made some very reasonable suggestions from Tiffany Haddish and Awkwafina to Emily Blunt and Lin-Manuel Miranda. Previous shows have seen late-night hosts take on the gig, so an offer could be made to Jimmy Kimmel, Stephen Colbert, or Jimmy Fallon, but it looks like the Academy may be too “gun-shy” to have anyone who is considered “too edgy.” However, if the Board of Governors wants those young viewers and boost ratings, they may want to attract them with someone who has name recognition and appeal.
According to the report, the Academy was completely blindsided by Hart’s decision. The Board of Governors is set to meet tonight to discuss the matter.
But there is one possible option: Variety reports that they could do an SNL-style show with a bunch of different celebrities and “buzzy people” keeping the show moving along.
This would not be the first time that the Oscars has gone without a host. The first was in 1939, when You Can’t Take It With You won the Academy Award for Best Picture. It then happened three more times between 1969 and 1971. The most recent host-less Oscars happened in 1989.
It will be interesting to see what the Board of Governors decides to do. Maybe going with no host is something worth experimenting with. Of course, we will keep you up-to-date on the situation should any new developments come in.
[Source: Variety]
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