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THE PRESIDENT OF Oscars broadcaster ABC has claimed the disarray over the lack of a host could prove to be positive for the awards show.
“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 host-less 24 February ceremony have vanished as it comes together with a “phenomenal” line-up 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.
Last year’s show drew a record-low 26.5 million people, a 20%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 $57.4 million in the U.S.
Burke also lauded the movie academy’s pledge to keep the ceremony to three hours, avoiding the overtime that can drain off viewers.
The host-less Oscars was a decision that everyone involved got on board with fairly quickly after Kevin Hart withdrew in December, Burke said, who’s been in the top ABC entertainment job just two months.
Hart dropped out amid criticism over years-old homophobic tweets, for which he eventually apologised.
This year will be the first time in 30 years that the Oscars doesn’t have a host.
Scary stuff to think we’re in 2019 and this stuff is probably rife!! Good job Italian Police
@Annette: Yeah had to stop reading, some sick ppl ou there!!!!
What did I just read?? What kind of person does something like that? Sometimes I really lose hope in humanity. The pain and anguish those children and parents must have suffered is unthinkable.
Jesus. Just when I thought it could not get worse..those poor children and god love their parents..well done to the ITALIAN POLICE..I wish the family’s well
Evil bustards. Hope all found guilty hey the severe punishment they deserve for running so many lives.
I read that in total disbelief, how the hell do these sick ba$tard$ sleep at night, they couldn’t have a shred of moral decency in their entire body’s, another case of just lock them up and throw away the key.
It’s happening in Ireland too but it is being brushed under the carpet
@Anna Kavanagh: source for that claim please
@Anna Kavanagh: without evidence, your claim has no credence.
@Anna Kavanagh: OMG. Then will someone who knows PLEASE PLEASE don’t be afraid to come forward.
@Anna Kavanagh: OMG. Then will someone who knows PLEASE don’t be afraid to come forward.
@Bee Johnson: if @Anna gave you the source she would be jailed under the In Camera Rule.
Did you know that in Ireland that if you report the rape of a child to Gardai you could be jailed?
@Joe Burns: wha?
@Joe Burns: That’s utter nonsense, the in camera rule protects the identity of the child. It does not prevent anybody from reporting a crime. Social Workers have endless files of children that have been abused and raped and work closely with the Gardai to interview these children it a protected environment and I can assure you part of that process is not to arrest the person who reported the crime.
Jesus Christ! Thats like an episode of Law And Order SVU. You wouldnt think that something like that could be happening in a western country in 2019. If found guilty I hope they never see the outside of a cell again.
Disgusting
That is horrific. It is so sad the depths of depravity some people will stoop too for money
This world is over run with degenerate lowlifes, the future is bleak.
Sicko & poor child and well Done To Italian Police
Just the beginning by all accounts.
@Shane Dignam: yes, fake accounts notably yours.
No punishment would be great enough for these ‘people’.
Sick and evil people.
That is seriously messed up but I’m confused to the lengths they went to. surely there are plenty of children already in the care system that they could of “sold” if money was their primary goal?
@Bee Johnson: Our ‘Religious ‘ people done it.!! Sold our children to the highest bidder,.
@ÓDuibhír Abú: oh I get that but assuming they were doing this to sell off “healthy” children, but now they are selling damaged children anyway so what was the point. We pay foster families here and we still can’t find enough families
I can’t believe we’re seeing this kind of abuse from actual officials in any European country.
I know we were worse at one stage but that was when the church ran the show. This is Bananas
Tusla Social Workers are Coaching Children Telling them the have being Abused Tusla also are Inflating Falsifying Tusla Files of Abuse to take Children into Care …. Maurice McCabe is the Tip of the Ice Berg…..What Happened in Italy is also happening in Corrupt Ireland …..
Nothing new sadly, human trafficking the only true remnants of the Roman Empire. Really hope these guys, and their customers, see nothing but cells for the rest of their days. Well done Italian police/whistleblowers!
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