Oscars 2019: 5 host replacements for Kevin Hart

After Kevin Hart dropped out of hosting the Oscars, the ceremony is still without a host. Here are five potential candidates to host the show.

These last couple of weeks have been nothing short of a nightmare for the Oscars. The initial host of the ceremony was going to be Kevin Hart, but after old homophobic tweets resurfaced from his Twitter account, the actor stepped down. Despite a plea from Ellen DeGeneres to reconsider his decision, Hart has his mind made up. The actor said he’s “done with that,” on a recent appearance on Good Morning America.

The ceremony is scheduled for February 24, the Oscars are still without a host. According to Variety, the show is planning to air without one and rely on A-list talent to present and introduce segments.

With declining ratings and the pressure to deliver at an all-time high, hosting the Oscars is not as desirable of a job as it used to be. However, plans could change if a last-minute A-list celebrity or entertainer steps forward to accept the job.

Here are five potential entertainers that could replace Hart as the host.

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Amy Poehler and Maya Rudolph

Pairing two actors together is a huge risk, and in the past, it has not worked out (see Anne Hathaway and James Franco at the 2011 Academy Awards). That being said, if you pair two entertainers who have worked with each other in the past and have a strong rapport, a duo could work.

Two comedians that fit all of the above criteria are Amy Poehler and Maya Rudolph. The duo have worked on sketches before on Saturday Night Live and recently made headlines with their “fake proposal” at the 2019 Golden Globes. With only a few weeks to go before the show, producers would not have to worry about chemistry and comedic timing with Poehler and Rudolph. Poehler and Rudolph could step right in and the ceremony would not skip a beat.

John Mulaney and Nick Kroll

Sticking with the paired hosting theme, the next duo that could serve as potential hosting replacements are John Mulaney and Nick Kroll. Just like Poehler and Rudolph, Mulaney and Kroll are very familiar with each other as the two starred in Broadway’s The Oh, Hello Show, where they played two grouchy and oblivious elderly men from the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Mulaney and Kroll also have hosting experience together as the duo hosted the 2017 and 2018 Independent Spirit Awards.

Whoopi Goldberg

Sometimes, you have to go back to the well and bring back a sure thing. Whoopi Goldberg is as sure as it gets. In 1994, Goldberg became the first woman to host the show solo and the first African-American to host ever.

Goldberg has hosted three additional times since 1994. The View host wore wacky outfits and developed crazy segments, but it all worked in the end. Goldberg even threw her name into hosting contention on a recent appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. (Whoopi also endorsed Ken Jeong to host).

Hugh Jackman

There are entertainers that thrive in the one-man show atmosphere. They understand how to host a show by themselves and are able to carry the broadcast alone. Hugh Jackman is one of those entertainers. Jackman is a charismatic and talented performer that can sing, dance, and act.

The Wolverine star is a four-time host of the Tony Awards and a one-time host of the Oscars. With his recent success in The Greatest Showman and his one-man show, Jackman would light up the stage with his charm and energy, which is exactly what the ceremony needs right now.

Dwayne Johnson

This is a long shot, but the Oscars want an A-list star that attracts all demographics to tune in for the ceremony. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson checks all of those boxes. Johnson is one of the most prolific stars in Hollywood and bankable stars at the box office.

Johnson is coming off of a 2018 where his films, Rampage and Skyscraper, grossed over $700 million worldwide. Johnson has an extremely busy schedule and seems to move from one movie set to the next. However, with the right offer, who knows? Maybe, Johnson would say yes to the biggest awards show for films. You never know!

Who do you want to host the Oscars? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!