Oscars to go host-less for 2nd straight year on ABC

The Oscars are going without a host again this year. ABC Entertainment President Karey Burke says the Feb. 9 telecast will focus on big musical numbers, comedy and star power. Last year's Oscars attracted 29.6 million viewers, second-smallest in the show's history but 12% more than in 2018, which ended a four-year slide in viewership. Comedian Kevin Hart was originally announced as host, but he backed away when some anti-gay tweets he posted a decade ago resurfaced. Burke says ABC expects some very popular Oscar nominations when they are announced on Monday, which tends to increase viewership.