Movies & TV / News

The Oscars Will Not Have A Host This Year

January 10, 2019 | Posted by Joseph Lee
Oscars Academy Image Credit: ABC

Kevin Hart was the original plan, but those plans changed. Variety reports that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has decided to go without a host for the Oscars this year, the first time that’s happened in almost thirty years. Hart stepped down as host weeks ago after old anti-LGBTQ comments resurfaced. He eventually apologized for what he said this week, but the damage was arguably done. At the very least, he’s not hosting this year, even though an appearance on Ellen DeGeneres’ show (which itself was widely panned) started rumors that he could return.

Instead, producers are choosing to go with a top name to give a monologue and several other A-list celebrities to introduce segments through the night. They are hoping to get a group for the show in six weeks, and plan on relying on skits for the telecast. They will also “play up a high-profile year for music in film,” focusing on possible nominees Lady Gaga, Dolly Parton, and Kendrick Lamar, among others.

Producers are also planning on cutting the show back a little to reduce its length.

An anonymous producer said: “The people who produce that show are hogtied by the Academy, who as a group are not willing to change very much. It’s hard to know how anyone in my community can really contribute.

There has only been one time in which the Academy Awards had no host. Before that, there were still editions of the awards ceremony which had multiple names sharing the job, like Bob Hope, Jack Lemmon, Rosalind Russell and Donald Duck. The last time more than three people hosted was in 1987, when Chevy Chase, Goldie Hawn, and Paul Hogan shared the job.

This year’s event, the 91st Oscars, will air on February 24 on ABC from the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center in Hollywood. It will air live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.

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Oscars, Joseph Lee