00:00Let me assess just to sit in the space and really think and you and I will talk before anything else.
00:08Kevin Hart says that he is evaluating stepping back into the role of Oscars host after Ellen DeGeneres called the Academy to vouch for him following a controversy over past anti-gay tweets.
00:18Hart was announced as the emcee of the prestigious annual event on December 4th, 2018, but walked away from the gig just two days later after the controversial tweets resurfaced.
00:27At first, Hart refused to apologize for the post, then expressed his regret via Instagram.
00:31The comedian appeared on an hour-long episode of Ellen's ABC daytime talk show, where the former Academy Awards host revealed that she called the Academy on Thursday because she wanted Hart to have the gig.
00:41So I called them, I said, Kevin's on, I have no idea if he wants to come back and host, but what are your thoughts? And they were like, oh my god, we want him to host.
00:50The Hollywood Reporter has reached out to the Academy for comment.
00:53DeGeneres also acknowledged that she, as a gay person, was sensitive to the types of jokes made by Hart, but expressed her belief the comedian had learned from his mistake.
01:02And you have already expressed that it's only, you know, it's not being educated on the subject, not realizing how dangerous those words are.
01:10The daytime host then implored Hart to reconsider his position, saying,
01:13You, you have grown, you have apologized, you're apologizing again right now, you've done it, don't let those people win, host the Oscars.
01:22In reply, Hart said he would assess whether he was interested in returning to the role.
01:26Leaving here, I promise you, I'm evaluating this conversation, he said.
01:30This is a conversation I needed to have. I'm glad that I had it here, and I'm glad that it was as authentic and real as I could have hoped that it would be.
01:37On Thursday night, DeGeneres tweeted that Hart's appearance was originally scheduled to air Monday, but she had decided to move the segment up.
01:45I had an incredible and honest conversation with Kevin Hart about hosting the Oscars.
01:49It was supposed to air on Monday. I don't want you to have to wait, so now it's going to air tomorrow, she wrote.
01:54DeGeneres later added on Twitter,
01:56I believe in forgiveness, I believe in second chances, and I believe in Kevin Hart.
02:00The interview has sparked online backlash, with some feeling that DeGeneres was giving Hart a pass for his homophobic comments.
02:08One user wrote,
02:08Another Twitter user expressed their disappointment in the talk show host by writing,
02:26The 91st Academy Awards will take place February 24th, and as yet, no replacement host has been announced.
02:40To read more on this story, head to THR.com. For The Hollywood Reporter News, I'm Lyndsey Rodrigues.
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