We are only 46 days away from the 91st Academy Awards, and we still have no host. Weeks after Kevin Hart was initially announced, the comedian dropped out when homophobic remarks he made resurfaced. As a result, the Academy gave him an ultimatum: apologize for those remarks or step down so they can find a new host. Hart chose the latter. And in an effort to give him another chance, Hart went on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, where the actor refused to apologize for his remarks and made himself out to be the victim.

As was previously reported, one option was for the Oscars to have no host this year. And now, that is beginning to look more and more like a reality. According to new reports the Academy will forgo having a host, a move that has not been made since 1989. More on the report below.

Insiders tell Variety that the producers of the awards will likely be bringing in multiple stars to introduce various segments instead of hiring one host to “kick things off in a monologue filled with Trump zingers.” So now they are scrambling to find A-list talent to be a part of the ceremony, which is just six weeks away.

Now it is important to remember this is just a consideration. Considering how close the ceremonies are, it comes as no surprise that the Academy is exploring this avenue. That being said, they could find a host before the big day. But as we get closer, and there is no host, it’s becoming more likely that we will just see a bunch of musical segments and comedic sketches.

And it doesn’t look like the Academy is thinking about finding a replacement for Hart. Ellen DeGeneres said during her interview with Hart that the Academy wanted him back at all costs. But that doesn’t appear to be the case any longer.

So in addition to the very likely funny skits, there will also be musical numbers added to the mix. This is another option that makes plenty of sense given the number of music-driven films this year from A Star Is Born and Mary Poppins Returns to Vox Lux and Bohemian Rhapsody. This is also thanks in part to likely nominees Lady Gaga, Dolly Parton, and Kendrick Lamar.

As bad as not having a host now sounds, not having someone host the ceremony may not be so bad. There are some who are in support of the idea of having a hostless Oscars. Of course, that did not work out so well when the last hostless Oscars, in 1989, saw Rob Lowe open with Snow White. May consider that to be the low-point in the Academy’s history. But on the bright side, they probably will have learned from that and are now considering doing something very different. At least we can hope.

The Oscars will be broadcast on ABC on February 24, 2019.

[Source: Variety]