When members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences threatened to oust comedian Kevin Hart as the Oscars host unless he publicly apologized for allegedly homophobic jokes he made almost a decade ago, they expected him to kowtow to their demands.

Instead he initially publicly pushed back against the Academy. But in doing so he triggered so much backlash from social justice mobs that he wound up voluntarily resigning from the gig.

Look:

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

This left the Academy reeling, say insider sources who spoke with Variety magazine: “They’re freaking out,” one source said, adding that the Academy had no contingency plans in place.

While the Academy could just rehire Jimmy Kimmel — he hosted both the 89th and 90th Academy Awards in 2017 and 2018, respectively — or pick another late-night host, members of the 91-year-old organization are now frightened they might trigger the SJW mob again.

And so the Academy is now bandying about the idea of ditching a host altogether and instead utilizing “a bunch of huge celebs, something ‘SNL’ style, and buzzy people” to keep the show moving, according to Variety’s insider sources.

“A stunt like a group monologue was floated, one source added,” the magazine reported.

The Academy has until Feb. 24 to arrive at a solution.

The brouhaha started last week after the Academy announced Hart as the Oscars host. Following the announcement, SJWs and their media allies began highlighting the comedian’s “hateful” past.

After seeing this @benfraserlee tweet, I did a search for every time Kevin Hart tweeted “fag,” “homo,” or “gay.” It was…a lot. And he seems to have basically stopped tweeting those words after 2011 — i.e. the year his first stand-up movie became a hit. https://t.co/P8nTOilFgx pic.twitter.com/6uzPhnvt4F — Adam B. Vary (@adambvary) December 5, 2018

When the Academy heard of the growing backlash, it reached out to the comedian to demand that he issue a public apology or be removed as this year’s host.

Hart initially refused, explaining in a video statement that he’d already apologized in an interview four years ago and therefore saw no reason to apologize again.

“So I just got a call from The Academy. That call basically said, ‘Kevin, apologize for your tweets or we’re going to have to move on and find another host. … I passed,” Hart said.

“The reason that I passed is I’ve addressed it several times. That’s not the first time this has come up. I’ve addressed it. I’ve spoken on it. I’ve said where the rights and wrongs were. I’ve said who I am now versus who I was then. I’ve done it.”

Listen:

This one video spawned massive backlash from social justice warriors adamant that Hart had basically just doubled down on his alleged bigotry, homophobia and hate.

The backlash grew so severe that Hart voluntarily stepped down from his host role and issued a Twitter apology for allegedly hurting people.

Look:

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

While this did little to temper the criticism against him, it did leave the Academy in a tough spot.

“My clients are bummed. They’re bummed Kevin didn’t stay the course and serve as an example. It dampens the experience, hopefully [the Academy] can pull it together so we can focus on the excitement,” one top talent rep said to Variety.

No matter who the Academy ultimately chooses to host the upcoming Oscars, chances are the event’s ratings will plummet even further than last year’s dismal ratings.

Why? Mainly because a large number of Americans are fed up with Hollywood, albeit not for its alleged racism and homophobic. They’re sick of Hollywood because of its political correctness.

Like one critic commented at Variety, “The show is no longer about spotlighting excellence in film craft. It’s become a self-righteous, agenda-filled, PC, quota conscious parade of what passes for ‘excellence.’”

Twitter users agree:

The Oscars used to be one of my favorite nights of the year. I’m a movie lover and got wrapped up in the glory and pageantry of film. But now the show is an annoying soapbox for political correctness and causes that have nothing to do with cinema. I hope ratings continue to tank. https://t.co/DKfb8LBRm3 — Memuneh (@MemunehMichael) December 11, 2018

@TheAcademy Oh good grief. This is why I won’t be watching the Oscars this year and have canceled my subscription to Written By. How dare you not beg Kevin Hart NOT to leave! I am so disgusted with AMPAS. This is stupid political correctness gone crazy. https://t.co/2LilLXrzf4 — Karen Grube (@klgrube) December 11, 2018

The pinnacle of Political Correctness will be Oscar night without a host. The depth of Social Media means there will be a disqualifying nugget somewhere to be found. — Frederick G. (@WDGX4) December 10, 2018

These award shows are no longer entertaining. So the Oscars can fuck themselves. If they want a new host, they better find a robot because every human being has said things that will be deemed as offensive from every type of person, period. Political correctness is toxic. — Amina (@aminaconteh3) December 9, 2018

https://t.co/fMYppyOt3b

The Oscars which have been an absolute disaster the last three years are now desperate to find a host and no one wants to host the Oscars because everyone is so afraid of Political correctness which has killed comedy and the ratings have tanked. #auwsp2018 — PJ Chandra (@PJChandra5) December 8, 2018

And this is exactly why the #Oscars are declining. Their obsession with social justice and political correctness while they live lavish lifestyles is hypocritical. Their liberal thinking rubs a lot of people the wrong way because not everyone agrees with them. — Enzo Odorico (@EpOdorico) December 8, 2018