The Academy Awards is without a host three months out from its 91st celebration ceremony. Comedian Kevin Hart was given the gig last week, but, just a few days later, had to give up the mic after media found years old tweets he sent about homosexuality. The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences demanded Hart apologize or give up the gig. Hart did say sorry for the LGBTQ community, but he ultimately decided to step aside.
“I have made the choice to step down from hosting this year's Oscars," Hart wrote. "This is because I do not want to be a distraction on a night that should be celebrated by so many amazing talented artists. I sincerely apologize to the LGBTQ community for my insensitive words from my past.”
Groups like GLAAD were actually not pleased with Hart's decision, noting it could have been a teachable moment.
Now, the academy is reportedly getting nervous about the vacancy and is beginning to consider its options. One of those is no host at all, according to a new report from Variety. Instead of an individual emcee, the Oscars could use “a bunch of huge celebs, something ‘SNL’ style, and buzzy people."
Wheel of Fortune host Pat Sajak has yet another suggestion, which he shared on Twitter.
Here’s a quick fix for the Academy Awards show: expand it to two nights. On the first night, give out awards, and celebrate the history and wonder of movies. On the second night, hold your political rally.
— Pat Sajak (@patsajak) December 9, 2018
Certainly, the Oscars has become more political in recent years, much of it having to do with Hollywood's distaste for the president. Host Jimmy Kimmel mocked President Trump mercilessly in his opening monologue in 2017, while actors like Gael García Bernal sounded off on Trump's immigration proposals in their speeches. Anti-Trump fever has swept other awards ceremonies as well. When Meryl Streep accepted the Cecile B. DeMille Award at the 2017 Golden Globes, she used a large chunk of her speech to condemn then-president-elect Trump.
The president was spared some public ridicule at last year's Oscars because Hollywood was reeling from the Harvey Weinstein and larger "Me Too" scandal.
The 91st Academy Awards will be broadcast on Feb. 24.