Oscar Telecast Will Go Host-less Again

For the second year in a row, the telecast for the 92nd Academy Awards will feature no host. After months of speculation, Karey Burke, entertainment president for ABC, the network that broadcasts the awards show, confirmed the decision during her session at TCA.

“Together with the Academy, we have decided there will be no traditional host, repeating for us what worked last year,” Burke said, adding that no host will make room for big musical numbers, as well as “comedy and star power.”

While a host-less show last year did work, it wasn’t exactly what the Academy initially had in mind. The organization tapped comedian Kevin Hart to host. However, after offensive tweets were unearthed from Hart’s Twitter account, Hart was fired. Also, given the reaction that host Ricky Gervais had after hosting last week’s Golden Globes, perhaps the Academy thought it best to take no risks.

Perhaps a host-less show would be a good idea for this year as well. Big studio movies, like “Joker,” “Once Upon a Time in…Hollywood,” and “The Irishman” are up for big nominations (nominees to be officially announced January 13). These films alone will draw viewer interest, even if there is no funny comedian to host.

By Michael Jacobo

Photo: AMPAS