Oscars potentially hostless

The Oscars are poised to embark on one of the most radical reinventions in the awards show’s long history. For the first time in nearly three decades, the biggest night in movies plans to go without a host.

Variety reports that producers will select a crop of A-listers to introduce various segments instead of relying on one marquee name.

The ceremony was to be hosted by Kevin Hart, who dropped out within hours of being selected when he refused to apologize for his past homophobic remarks that had resurfaced on Twitter.

The concept of a hostless Oscars is divisive, to say the least. Executives were heard bemoaning the idea on the Golden Globes after-party circuit and, as Variety reports, one top media boss found the prospect potentially fatal, noting that hosts are often the biggest draw for such splashy live TV events.

The Oscar telecast has gone without a single host precisely once, 30 years ago. That broadcast lives in infamy: Producer Allan Carr and director Jeff Margolis mounted an 11-minute musical number to open the show in lieu of a host monologue. The opening gave us Rob Lowe’s version of “Proud Mary,” a duet with Snow White. Lowe is still trying to live it down, Variety writes.

The nominees will be announced in two weeks, and the ceremony will be held on February 24.

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Variety

Oscars

Oscars host

Allan Carr

Jeff Margolis

Kevin Hart