LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Conflicting reports are circulating about the fate of next year’s Oscar ceremony.
Variety reported Tuesday afternoon “in-person telecast will happen,'' according to an Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences representative.
But later Tuesday, The Hollywood Reporter cited multiple sources saying no decisions have been made on the format of the show but reported the likeliest outcome would be show mixing on-stage appearances with nominees appearing virtually like on the 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards on Sept. 20.
The Oscars have been pushed back to April 25, 2021, due to the pandemic. An awards publicist familiar with the plans told Variety, “The Academy has done a walkthrough of the Dolby recently to see all the multiple options.''
There was no immediate indication of what those options might be, what safety protocols will be in place or how many of the theater's 3,400 seats might be filled.
The Emmy Awards ceremony was largely held remotely, although host Jimmy Kimmel led the event from Staples Center, which was devoid of an audience. A handful of guests made live appearances with Kimmel -- mostly from a distance -- including Jennifer Aniston and Jason Bateman.
Specific plans have not been announced for other major awards shows, including the Feb. 28 Golden Globes, the March 7 Critics Choice Awards and the March 14 Screen Actors Guild Awards.
Tina Fey and Amy Poehler have been announced as hosts of the Golden Globes, but no information has been released on the show's format.
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