ABC executive sees silver lining in Oscars-host flap: attention

PASADENA, California — Oscars disarray over the exit of Kevin Hart as the host of the show had an upside — people paid attention, says ABC’s entertainment president.

“Ironically, I have found that the lack of clarity … has kept the Oscars really in the conversation, and the mystery has been really compelling,” said Karey Burke, whose network is the ceremony’s longtime home.

She called the interest proof that the Oscars are still relevant.

Burke’s worries about the hostless Feb. 24 ceremony have vanished as it comes together with a “phenomenal” lineup of presenters, she told a TV critics meeting.

Tina Fey, Whoopi Goldberg, Daniel Craig, Jennifer Lopez, Chris Evans and Constance Wu are among them.

The ceremony also has box-office hits — best-picture contenders Black Panther, Bohemian Rhapsody and A Star Is Born — with fans that could boost TV viewership.

The 2018 show drew a recordlow 26.5 million people, a 20 per cent drop from the 2017 show and the first time Oscar viewership dipped below 30 million, according to Nielsen records that go back to 1974. The best-picture winner, The Shape of Water, only grossed $57.4 million in the U.S.

Burke also lauded the movie academy’s pledge to keep the ceremony to three hours, to avoid losing viewers.