Why this year's Academy Awards host is not available
Last year's Academy Awards ceremony proceeded without a moderator thanks to a ton of drama beforehand surrounding Kevin Hart (open in new tab) and ended with a quick decision. While preparations for this year's ceremony (open in new tab) were less dramatic (although many were upset that a female director was shut out of the (open in new tab) Best Director category), the decision was made to continue the tradition from last year. However, there have been some modifications to last year's hastily formulated plan, and the 2020 awards ceremony should be an interesting one. Here is what we know at this time.
In January, ABC Entertainment president Carrie Burke made it official. She went on to say that she believes the 2019 Oscars without a host was a success and will therefore continue the tradition. There will be no opening monologue (last year there was a film montage instead) and actors will introduce the awards and segments.
ABC's final announcement on February 5 regarding the presenters for the Academy Awards has a huge list of celebrities who will be presenting. Take a look: Jane Fonda, Josh Gad, Tom Hanks, Oscar Isaac, Sandra Oh, Natalie Portman, Chris Rock, Taika Waititi, Mahershala Ali, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Zazie Beetz, Timothée Chalamet, Olivia Colman, James Corden, Penelope Cruz, Beanie Feldstein, Will Ferrell, Gal Gadot, Zach Gottschagen, Salma Hayek, Mindy Kaling, Diane Keaton, Regina King, Shia LaBeouf, Brie Larson, Spike Lee, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, George MacKay, Rami Malek, Steve Martin, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Anthony Ramos, Keanu Reeves, Ray Romano, Maya Rudolph, Mark Ruffalo, Kelly Marie Tran, Sigourney Weaver, Kristen Wiig, and Rebel Wilson. Performers including Janelle Monae and Billy Eilish were not included.
Amazing.
In 2019, the final decision not to have a presenter was more dramatic: Kevin Hart was chosen, but quickly resigned after tweets of derogatory jokes he made resurfaced. The Academy scrambled and ultimately decided not to have a moderator for the first time in 30 years.
Evaluations of the show were mixed. Some noted the fact that the host usually disappears after the opening monologue, and noted that this time was no different. Others, including USA Today reporter Kelly Lawler, lamented: "After the Polar/Faye/Rudolph trio, there were few presenters with any comedic skills. Whether this year will feel different remains to be seen, but the parade of absolute A-listers across the stage will probably help.
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