Nikki Ritcher for the Wall Street Journal

Kevin Hart has withdrawn as Oscar host, drawing to a close the most bizarre Oscar debacle since a distracted accountant handed the wrong Best Picture envelope to Warren Beatty. Hart just posted his withdrawal on Twitter, announcing that he ended what two days ago he called his dream job.

This followed a tumultuous day in which a litany of homophobic social media postings Hart made nearly a decade ago were dredged up and went viral. Ironically, in the post he wrote to withdraw from the Oscar hosting job, Hart finally apologized to the LGBTQ community. If he had swallowed his pride and done that earlier today, in the Instagram post in which he appeared shirtless and defiant, he could have saved the day. Now, its back to the drawing board for the Academy, in the Oscar equivalent of the Twilight Zone. What a terrible shame this all is. Oscar night is February 24, only about 11 weeks away. Presumably the Academy has a short list, but this will be hard to overcome.

I have made the choice to step down from hosting this year's Oscar's….this is because I do not want to be a distraction on a night that should be celebrated by so many amazing talented artists. I sincerely apologize to the LGBTQ community for my insensitive words from my past.

— Kevin Hart (@KevinHart4real) December 7, 2018

I'm sorry that I hurt people.. I am evolving and want to continue to do so. My goal is to bring people together not tear us apart. Much love & appreciation to the Academy. I hope we can meet again.

— Kevin Hart (@KevinHart4real) December 7, 2018

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