Kevin Hart: Oscars may have no host at all after comedian's exit

It is thought to be mulling an 'SNL'-style gaggle of celebrities

The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences is scrambling after Kevin Hart stepped down as host following backlash to some of his historic tweets.

According to Variety, the situation is “fluid”, though an anonymous top comedy agent put it less euphemistically to the trade mag, saying: “They’re freaking out.”

One option believed to be on the table is going host-less, as the Oscars last did in 1988 and between 1969 and 1971.

The Academy could instead bring in “a bunch of huge celebs, something SNL style, and buzzy people” to keep the show moving, an insider told Variety, claiming that the idea of a group monologue had already been floated.

AMPAS reportedly hoped Hart would apologise for his tweets, which used the word “gay” as a slur, and show genuine remorse, but stop short of quitting.

“My team calls me, ‘Oh my God, Kevin, everyone’s upset by tweets you did years ago,’” Hart said in an Instagram video. “Guys, I’m nearly 40 years old. If you don’t believe that people change, grow, evolve as they get older, I don’t know what to tell you. If you want to hold people in a position where they always have to justify the past, do you. I’m the wrong guy, man.”

When the Academy suggested he apologise or they will find a new host, the comedian declined.

“I chose to pass on the apology,” he continued. “The reason why I passed is because I’ve addressed this several times. This is not the first time this has come up. I’ve addressed it. I’ve spoken on it. I’ve said where the rights and wrongs were. I’ve said who I am now versus who I was then. I’ve done it. I’m not going to continue to go back and tap into the days of old when I’ve moved on and I’m in a completely different place in my life.”

With the 91st Academy Awards’s 24 February date looming, a decision on a new host or lack thereof will need to be made quickly.

The Hart incident may lead AMPAS away from an “edgy” replacement, but it also can’t afford to go too safe, with Jimmy Kimmel’s ceremony seeing a 19 per cent year-on-year ratings drop in 2018.