10 Reasons Why Everyone's Talking About the Oscars This Year — and What You Need to Know

The Oscarsalways generate buzz around predictions, snubs and performers in the months leading up to the star-studded event. But this year, Hollywood A-listers and fans alike are talking about the 91st Academy Awards for some other reasons — specifically, the lack of a host, in addition to protests over the Academy’s decision to present four popular categories during commercial breaks (which they later backtracked on).

With all the back-and-forth, it’s been difficult to keep up with exactly what to expect from this year’s show. To get you up to speed, here’s a rundown on what everyone’s buzzing about ahead of Hollywood’s biggest night.

1. Why isn’t Kevin Hart hosting?

Shortly after the comedian was confirmed to host the show, he came under fire for resurfaced tweets containinghomophobic statements. Hart then refused to apologize, stating that he had addressed the issue in the past and would not capitulate to the request for him to do so again in order to move forward.

“The reason why I passed is because I’ve addressed this several times. This is not the first time this has come up. I’ve addressed it. … I’ve said who I am now versus who I was then. I’ve done it. I’ve done it,” Hart said in a video shared on Instagram.

Hart and DeGeneres in L.A. in 2017.Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

He then announced he was stepping down from the event, and eventually didsay he was sorry. “I sincerely apologize to the LGBTQ community for my insensitive words from my past,” he tweeted. “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.”

Rumors continued to circulate that he would ultimately be returning to host, especially after an appearance onTheEllen DeGeneresShowin which she said she was pulling for him, but he shut them down for good onGood Morning America.

2. Is this the first time the show has gone on without a host?

3. How will the show begin this year?

According to ABC President Karey Burke, the show will kick off with “a very exciting opener.” She continued, “We are not going to go straight into people thanking their agents.”

After Hart stepped down, Burke revealed that “there was an idea that they were going to have the presenters just hostthe Oscars. We all got on board with that.” She added the show will be kept to three hours after averylengthy program in 2018.

At one point, Burke admitted that going host-less forthe Oscarsmade her nervous, but later changed her tune.

“Ironically, I have found that the lack of clarity aroundthe Oscarshas kept them in the conversation,” she said. “It’s really compelling. People really care.”

4. Can nominees tie for an award?

Ever since Glenn Close andLady Gagaboth won best actress at theCritics’ Choice Awards, everyone’s been wondering — is it possible that they wouldtie for the awardat the Oscars, too?

It wouldn’t be the first time! The most memorable tie in Oscars history occurred in 1969 when both Katharine Hepburn and Barbra Streisand took home the award for Best Actress. A few other ties have occurred, with the most recent being in 2013 for Best Sound Editing.

Katharine Hepburn, Barbra Streisand.Hulton Archive/Getty; ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty

While Close, who’s nominated for her role inThe Wife, and Gaga, who’s a contender for her turn inA Star Is Born, could tie for Best Actress, it would be highly unlikely as both stars would need the exact same number of votes, and far more people vote forthe Oscarsthan for various critics’ awards.

Be sure to check outPEOPLE’s full Oscars coverageto get the latest news on film’s biggest night.

5. Who’s presenting?

The banter between presenters is one of the highlights of the show — especially this year, without a host to take the lead. Luckily, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announceda stacked list of presenterswho will be taking the stage to introduce the various nominees.

Chef José Andrés, Dana Carvey, Queen Latifah, Congressman John Lewis, Diego Luna, Tom Morello, Mike Myers, Trevor Noah, Amandla Stenberg, Barbra Streisand andSerena Williamswere most recently announced as presenters.

Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP/REX/Shutterstock; Steve Granitz/WireImage

They join Elsie Fisher, Danai Gurira, Brian Tyree Henry, Michael B. Jordan,Michael Keaton,Helen Mirren, John Mulaney,Tyler Perry,Pharrell Williams,Krysten Ritter,Paul Ruddand Michelle Yeoh, who were all added to the list of presenters on Tuesday, just days before Sunday’s show.

In addition,Awkwafina,Daniel Craig,Chris Evans,Tina Fey,Whoopi Goldberg,Brie Larson,Jennifer Lopez,Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph,Charlize Theron,Tessa ThompsonandConstance Wuare presenting on Sunday.

6. Who’s performing?

Bette Midler will be taking the stage to perform the song “The Place Where Lost Things Go” fromMary Poppins Returns, she announced onTwitter on Saturday.

She joins Jennifer Hudson, Gillian Welch, David Rawlings,Bradley CooperandLady Gagaas stars confirmed to perform the nominated songs during the live broadcast.

Hudson will sing “I’ll Fight,” the Diane Warren-penned track from the documentaryRBG, while Welch and Rawlings will perform “When a Cowboy Trades His Spurs for Wings” from the Coen Brothers’The Ballad of Buster Scruggs.

Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga.Warner Bros.

Cooper and Gaga, meanwhile, will sing “Shallow” fromA Star Is Born. Cooper said in a recent interview, however, that he’d be shedding his Jackson Maine persona for the performance, and would be singing as himself and not hisAStar Is Borncharacter.

In addition, Gustavo Dudamel and the L.A. Philharmonic will score this year’s “In Memoriam” segment.

7. Lady Gaga is nominated for Best Actress — have other singers ever won the award before?

Yes, including herA Star Is Bornpredecessor Barbra Streisand! Other singers who’ve crossed over and taken home the Best Actress statue for their turn on the big screen include Cher and Jennifer Hudson. Severalother musicians have wonfor Best Original Song, including Adele, Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder and more.

8. Why was the Academy going to present certain categories during commercials?

In an attempt to make the awards show shorter (and as a result, possibly increase viewership), the Academy announced just two weeks before the show thatthe Oscarsfor Best Cinematography, Film Editing, Short Films and Makeup/Hairstyling would be presented during commercial breaks.

9. Why did they reverse that decision?

The announcement prompted directors includingSpike LeeandMartin Scorseseand actorsRobert De Niro,Meryl Streep,George Clooney,Seth Rogenand more tosign an open letterdenouncing the Academy’s plan.

“We consider this abbreviation and potential censorship to run contrary to the spirit of the Academy’s mission,” the letter read.

Stefania D’Alessandro/WireImage; Rob Latour/REX/Shutterstock; Steve Granitz/WireImage

10. What will the stage look like?

This year’s Oscars set designer David Korinstold PEOPLEthat having watched the broadcast for years, he wanted to further elaborate on the iconic visual elements — like the crystal installations — that have been so successful in the past.

“It has to be dazzling and it has to be interesting looking and aesthetically pleasing,” he said. “But to me, it’s not just about creating beauty for beauty’s sake. To me, it’s beauty with a message.”

David Korins

As a result, his stage will incorporate 40,000 real roses that will be used in multiple ways throughout the ever-changing set, including on a recreation of the iconic Oscar statues as a floral sculpture called the “Rose Topiary Oscar.”

The 91st Academy Awards are broadcasting live from Los Angeles on Sunday, Feb. 24, at 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT on ABC.

source: people.com