After Kevin Hart Has Stepped Down, 2019 Oscars May Hold Without a Host

The 2019 Oscars may hold without a host after Kevin Hart has stepped down from the role for homophobic comments he made in the year 2009 and 2010.

The show organisers are reportedly struggling to replace the comedian Kevin Hart, who stepped down from hosting the show, after he was asked to apologise for previous homophobic tweets of his.

According to Variety, the organisers are considering doing without a host for the ceremony, if they fail to get a replacement.

The Academy was blindsided by Hart’s announced departure Thursday night, according to two insiders. The Board of Governors will convene on Tuesday night at a previously-scheduled meeting where the matter will inevitably be discussed.

“They’re freaking out,” said a top comedy agent, speaking on the condition of anonymity. There were no contingency plans in place by the Academy or broadcaster ABC, according to another insider.

Late night hosts might seem an obvious choice, given their national profiles and history with the show (think Jimmy Kimmel, Jon Stewart and David Letterman).

Another option being tossed around is not having any host at all, but rather “a bunch of huge celebs, something ‘Saturday Night Live’ style, and buzzy people” to keep the show moving, the insiders said.

ABC and the Academy did not return requests for comment on their search for a new host.