The Oscars

Awkwafina highly recommends the ways of Marie Kondo if you want to be happier and cleaner ... especially if your place is cluttered with clothes and ... old lotions. Seriously.

We got the "Crazy Rich Asians" star at LAX Thursday ... she told us she's jumped on board the organization train, made popular by the Japanese author's new hit Netflix show, "Tidying Up."

Awkwafina's gone through the method -- even talks to all her clothes now -- and said goodbye to things that no longer bring her joy. She says it's done wonders for her place and her mental space.

Shaquille O'Neal is calling for people to back off Kevin Hart ... saying he shouldn't have to keep apologizing for his old homophobic jokes and wants everyone to "just move on."

"Some people feel he made a mistake," Shaq said ... "He apologized for his mistake. I always thought comedians were allowed to crack jokes."

"Anyone that knows Kevin Hart should know that anything he said was never malicious."

Of course, Shaq is referring to some of Hart's tweets and stand-up bits from 2009 to 2011 -- when the comic described how he'd react if he found out his son was gay.

"Yo if my son comes home & try's 2 play with my daughters doll house I'm going 2 break it over his head & say n my voice ‘stop that's gay,'" Hart tweeted in 2009.

The material resurfaced after Hart was named the host of the 2019 Academy Awards -- and after a backlash online and a demand for renewed apologies, Hart pulled out of the show and only apologized after stepping down.

"He shouldn't have to keep apologizing," Shaq said ... "He apologized twice."

"People should just move on. Everyone makes mistakes."

Of course, Shaq and Kev go way back -- Hart was a headliner Shaq's All-Star Comedy Jam back in 2009 and they've been friends ever since.

Shaq's not the only big star who's come to Hart's defense -- Ellen DeGeneres also went to bat for the comic ... backing Kev's stance that he's evolved and said it's his right to host the Oscars.

1/9 5:53 AM -- On Wednesday morning, Kevin Hart ended the debate with a hard "no" and said, "There's no more conversation about it ... I'm over that. I'm over the moment."

So, Kevin Hart saying there IS a chance he'll host the Oscars this year ... is one way to take what he just told us in NYC.

Kevin was leaving an Equinox Tuesday in NYC, when he was asked him where's the smart money going IF you're inclined to wager on whether he returns to the Oscars hosting gig. It's the obvious question after he issued a very direct apology Monday to the LGBTQ community for his homophobic remarks in the past.

You gotta see Kevin's response -- he used the word "slim" to describe the chances he'll host, BUT ... he also said a lot of complimentary things about the Motion Picture Academy.

One thing's clear ... if it doesn't happen this year, Kevin's open to hosting the big show sometime in the future.

But again ... he's NOT totally ruling it out for this year.

Terrence Howard dismisses criticism of Kevin Hart for making homophobic jokes, saying it's all part of the job.

We got Terrance Friday at LAX and he was squarely in Kevin's corner, saying the Academy blew it by passing on him. He went on to say dredging up jokes and tweets from year's past crosses the line, and then insinuated the attack on Kevin might be racial ... pointing to recent comments by Nick Cannon that white comedians made similar homophobic jokes with no consequences.

Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney has strong opinions on Kevin Hart, Ellen DeGeneres, gay rights and forgiveness.

We got the New York Dem, who's also openly gay, Friday on Capitol Hill, and he made it clear -- Kevin Hart has made "stupid" comments about gay people. That said, he was quick to add that people are capable of change -- something he has seen firsthand on the House floor.

As for Ellen, Maloney praised her for carrying the torch on behalf of the LGBTQ community, but at the same time said she does not speak for the entire group. He says we should celebrate the fact there are many voices and they should all be heard.

10:27 AM PT -- We've tried for 4 hours to contact the Motion Picture Academy to confirm the conversation Ellen recounted on her show -- that the Academy still wants Kevin to host the Oscars. No one has responded to our emails or taken our calls.

10:06 AM PT -- Ellen is now responding to the backlash, stating on social media, "However you feel about this, the only positive way through it is to talk about it. Thank you for being here, @KevinHart4real."

Ellen DeGeneres is being skewered on social media for reducing the criticism of Kevin Hart's homophobic comments to an attack by a small group of internet haters.

Kevin Hart is appearing on Ellen's show Friday, and DeGeneres launched a full-court attack on people who still have issues with Hart saying things like, "If my son comes home & try's 2 play with my daughters doll house I'm going 2 break it over his head & say n my voice 'stop that's gay.'" Hart also said in one of his comedy specials, "One of my biggest fears is my son growing up and being gay."

DeGeneres seemed to say the gay community is fine with Hart's vague apology back in 2014 and his more recent post in 2018, in which he said, "I sincerely apologize to the LGBTQ community for my insensitive words from my past."

DeGeneres and Hart dismissed the critics as trolls, and she then doubled down and said it was Kevin's "right" to host the Oscars.

There's a huge backlash against DeGeneres for her defense and vicious attack on Hart's critics ... some calling it "a massive f***ing betrayal."

Hart called the criticism of him "a malicious attack on his character" where people went back to 2008 to dredge up his comments. Point of fact ... he made homophobic comments years later as well.

There are some who are outraged Ellen is putting herself out as speaking for the entire LGBTQ community, one person tweeting, "To Ellen. Unfortunately Mrs Ellen, this ain't your fight. The harm is done and this man hasn't learned."

Toward the end of the show, Hart suggested Ellen has made him rethink his decision to walk away from the Oscar gig, saying, “You have put a lot of things on my mind. Leaving here, I’m promising you I’m evaluating this conversation … Let me assess, just sit in the space and really think.”

Oprah Winfrey was an icon of few words Friday night ... in fact, she was an icon of just one word ... "NO!"

We got O in New York City entering the Whitby Hotel and asked if she'd be open to hosting the Oscars if the Academy asked her. Her thumbs-down answer is unequivocal, but the way she delivers it is even more telling.

It seems like a no-win for just about anyone who takes the gig after the Kevin Hart debacle. Hart is still taking heat for his homophobic comments years ago, and the Academy is also taking a beating for putting its collective finger up and seeing which way the wind was blowing.

Sarah Silverman understands times have changed ... and that's why she's no longer the same person or comedian who used to bank on homophobic jokes.

We got Sarah outside of Craig's Thursday night and wanted her take on Nick Cannon dragging her name in the Kevin Hart controversy. ICYMI ... Nick was furious about the backlash Kevin got after old homophobic tweets resulted in him stepping down from his dream gig as host of the Oscars.

So, Nick dug up some old tweets by Sarah, Chelsea Handler and Amy Schumer in which they used similar language. Point blank ... Nick thinks there's a serious double standard in Hollywood.

Sarah's planning to address Nick's comments on her own platform, but she did say she sees things differently than she did back in the day.

Whoopi Goldberg thinks Ken Jeong should be the next person the Motion Picture Academy targets to host the Oscars now that Kevin Hart's out ... and Ken is totally down with it.

We got the actor/comedian Wednesday at LAX, where we asked his reaction to Whoopi's ringing endorsement -- in the aftermath of Hart stepping down after those homophobic tweets.

Thing is ... if they don't want him as host, Ken has some Oscar-related jobs he says are perfectly suited for him.

We gotta hand it to Ken ... he's got the classic Oscars acceptance speech down to a tee. Dude's already got us in stitches with his pitch, so imagine his material if he actually had time to brainstorm!

As Whoopi -- a former Oscars host, herself -- points out, Ken's a legit movie buff who would be the first Asian-American to host the Oscars. But, we're guessing the Academy will be more turned on by the fact Ken ain't worried about that skimpy paycheck.

Nick Cannon is praising Kevin Hart for not letting the Motion Picture Academy subjugate him.

We got Nick in NYC Tuesday night, and he was squarely on Kevin's side. As you know, Hart refused to follow the Academy's ultimatum to apologize for his homophobic comments ... or else.

Nick then addressed his comments about others who used the f-word and suffered no real consequences ... in particular Sarah Silverman, Amy Schumer and Chelsea Handler. He says it is clear evidence of a double standard, although point of fact ... they weren't hosting the Oscars.

And, wait till you hear Nick's review of the United States of America ... harsh for sure.

Pras says he doesn't know why the Dept. of Justice is putting him at the center of a scheme to help a Malaysian financier funnel millions into the country -- but he's got a hunch it's due to his skin color.

We got the Fugees rapper at LAX where we asked him about this crazy new civil lawsuit filed by the U.S. DOJ. He's accused of conspiring with Jho Low in 2017 to sneak tons of cash into U.S. bank accounts. Allegedly, Low's intention was to bribe DOJ officials to influence a criminal probe into his alleged misuse of international dough.

The feds filed suit to recover some of those funds -- but Pras is not listed as a defendant. He's mentioned because of his business dealings with Low. The DOJ's still investigating and says criminal charges against Low and/or Pras could be coming.

Complicated, right? That's how Pras reacted to the allegations, but he did have one possible explanation for the suit ... they're pointing at him because he's black. At least that's the "vibe" he's getting.

Low has been tied to other celebs he lavished with gifts, which are now being seized by the feds. Leonardo DiCaprio reportedly received Marlon Brando’s 1954 Oscar from Low, as well as a Pablo Picasso painting, and supermodel Miranda Kerr was gifted jewelry and a see-through grand piano.

Finding someone to replace Kevin Hart as the Oscars host is turning into a tall order, and not because of offensive tweets -- the real problem is money ... or the lack thereof.

Sources connected to the award show tell TMZ ... the infamously small paycheck for hosting the Oscars has been an underlying issue for the Academy for a long time. Jimmy Kimmel said he only got $15k for his services in 2017, and we're told most potential candidates are inclined to turn down the job because of that figure.

All the scrutiny and criticism that come along with it isn't helping either ... according to our sources. As to the money, we're told the Academy doesn't like to shell out for a host because they consider it the opportunity of a lifetime.

Of course, big names have taken it. Kevin didn't only accept, he was ecstatic about it before getting ousted for homophobic tweets.

Fact is, whoever fills the job now will have leverage to demand more money -- after all the Academy's kinda behind the 8 ball.

Stephen King thinks Patton Oswalt should be the next guy the Academy looks at to host the Oscars now that Kevin Hart's out -- but Pat's punting for some young blood.

We got the comedian and self-described movie buff Sunday at LAX, where we asked what he made of the horror icon putting Pat's name up for consideration -- in the wake of Hart's homophobic tweets. SK says Patton has all the necessary tools and knows film.

He's certainly a name that's been floated since the hosting gig opened up -- and everyone in Hollywood seems to have an opinion on who should get the job -- but he defers on himself ... and nominates Billy Eichner or Tiffany Haddish instead.

Check out the clip to hear why he thinks they're perfect options. Patton stopped short of saying it's because they'd represent women and/or the LGBTQ community ... but ya gotta think that's on his mind.

BTW, he still wants the gig for himself ... someday.

It's the game everyone in Hollywood is playing ... "Who's the next Oscars host??" ... but after Kevin Hart's sudden departure, it's getting harder and harder to play.

We got "Rich Kids of Beverly Hills" star Dorothy Wang leaving Delilah Saturday night, and asked who was her pick to step into Hart's shoes. She actually had one in mind but was sorely disappointed seconds after dropping the name.

As we reported, Nick Cannon put several other comedians on blast -- including Sarah Silverman, Amy Schumer and Chelsea Handler -- for having tweeted a homophobic slur years ago. It's pretty clear that that news did NOT get to Dorothy.

Nick's point was, there should be equal outrage over them using the word "f*****" as there was for Kevin.

So, who's left? We asked "Modern Family" star, Ariel Winter as she left Madeo. One of her friends went the really oldie, but really goodie route. Meanwhile, Ariel had bigger concerns. Watch the video ... she narrowly avoided a serious wreck.

Nick Cannon thinks there's a double standard in Hollywood following Kevin Hart losing his Oscars gig ... and he's putting 3 white, female comedians on blast to make his point.

The "Wild 'N Out" host isn't happy about the backlash Hart got this week over old homophobic tweets that resulted in him stepping down as host of the Academy Awards, so on Friday he dug up some old tweets by Chelsea Handler, Amy Schumer and Sarah Silverman that use similar language.

Cannon started by sharing a 2010 tweet from Handler in which she uses the homophobic f-word slur, commenting ... "Interesting, I wonder if there was any backlash here..."

Nick then posted a 2010 tweet by Silverman in which she called the new 'Bachelorette' a gay slur, and a homophobic 2012 tweet from Schumer, adding ... "I'm just saying... should we keep going???"

When another Twitter user told Cannon he should be auditing his own tweets, he responded ... "Nope!! You know I’ve been saying f**ked up s**t since twitter started! I don’t play that politically correct bulls**t! F**k politics!! Only Truth!"

Truth be told, in a 2012 tweet of his own, Nick wrote ... "If your best joke includes "gay" or "f****t" you should be kicked off Twitter this ain't the 3rd grade! #notaninsult #lackofcreativity"

So, perhaps he's justified on casting these stones.

Cannon's been a vocal supporter of Hart during this week's Oscars controversy, and it's obvious he thinks the comedian got a raw deal. As we reported, though, a lot of the backlash Kevin got was the result of him refusing to apologize initially ... but he did AFTER he stepped down as host.

Michael Blackson's got a few interesting points about the fallout from Kevin Hart being chosen to host the Oscars, but he's certain, no matter what ... Kevin's gonna be just fine.

We got the comedian outside Boulevard3 in Hollywood Thursday night and asked about Kevin stepping down from hosting after being slammed for old homophobic tweets.

Blackson goes to bat for his buddy (they're back on good terms), telling us all black comics have said offensive things in the past -- even the legends -- and the Academy should have been well aware of that.

Blackson says the Oscars is just as at fault for this debacle, because it either offered Hart the job without looking up his past ... or ignored it. Either way, Mike feels Kev's response should have been enough to remedy the situation ... but no such luck.

The Ghanaian native also points out there was actually one perfect black comedian who never said anything wrong, and well ... look where he's at now.

Anyway, Michael's not worried about his friend ... because he says Hart's still rich and doesn't need the hosting gig.