Jimmy Kimmel’s return to hosting the upcoming Oscars was an unexpected twist in his plans for 2024.
Initially unsure about another stint, the 56-year-old late-night personality revealed that he had ruled out the possibility of hosting the 96th ceremony next month. This marks his fourth time as host and the second consecutive year.
Reflecting on his previous Oscar hosting experiences, Kimmel recalled two successful gigs and a particularly memorable moment in 2017 when the wrong winner was announced for ‘Best Picture.’ Despite a five-year hiatus after hosting in 2018, he returned in 2023. The turning point for reconsideration came after watching ‘Top Gun: Maverick’, which made the hosting job seem easier.
Also Read: Stars Who’ve Hosted The Oscars Multiple Times
However, it was Greta Gerwig’s hit adventure comedy, ‘Barbie,’ up for eight awards, that ultimately convinced Kimmel. Watching the film in a theatre, he thought, “Maybe I’ll do this again because at least I have a point of reference with everyone.”
Kimmel acknowledged the challenge of hosting the Oscars, emphasizing the extensive work involved. He humorously shared that after his first hosting experience in 2017, he realized that many in the audience hadn’t seen the winning movie, ‘Moonlight.’
His return as host was announced by the Academy in November 2023, and Kimmel expressed his delight, joking, “I always dreamed of hosting the Oscars exactly four times.” Joining him in the production is his wife and Jimmy Kimmel Live! co-head writer, Molly McNearney, who received an Emmy nomination for her work in the 2023 event and returns as an executive producer for the 2024 broadcast.
Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Janet Yang expressed their excitement about Jimmy and Molly’s involvement, noting their love for movies and commitment to producing an engaging show. The 96th Academy Awards are scheduled for Sunday, 10th March at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
– Farheen Ali