Jimmy Kimmel to Host the 95th Oscars. Photo: ABC/Jeff Lipsky.
Given that the first time Jimmy Kimmel hosted the Oscars, we got a mix of Best Picture ‘La La Land’/’Moonlight’, you might think he’d be wary of returning.
But that was in 2017, and Kimmel really came back in 2018 for a less dramatic ceremony. Now, after five more years, he will once again lead the show for the 95th Oscars, to be held next year.
The announcement was made by Glenn Weiss and Ricky Kirshner, executive producers and hosts for the next show.
Kimmel, host of the popular late night show ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ joined the three peat club which also included Jerry Lewis, Steve Martin, Conrad Nagel and David Niven. He has some way to go, however, to compete with the likes of Billy Crystal, who has fought nine times and Bob Hope, who has hosted 11 times in his career.
“To be invited to host the Oscars for the third time is either a great honor or a trap,” Kimmel said in a statement. “In any case, I thank the Academy for asking me so quickly after all the good people said no.”
“We are thrilled that Jimmy scored his hat-trick on this global stage,” Weiss and Kirshner said in a joint statement. “We knew he would be funny and up for anything.”
“Jimmy was the perfect host to help us recognize the amazing artists and films of our 95th Oscars,” Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy president Janet Yang said enthusiastically. “His love for film, live TV expertise and his ability to connect with our global audience will create unforgettable experiences for our millions of viewers around the world.”
Chris Rock presents the Oscar® for Documentary Feature during the ABC live broadcast of the 94th Oscar® at the Dolby Theater at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles, CA, on Sunday, March 27, 2022. Photo Credit: Blaine Ohigashi / AMPAS
Naturally, neither the Academy nor the producers spoke about whether anyone was questioned before Kimmel, despite speculation that the producers contacted Chris Rock after the Will Smithslap incident last year.
The academy and those who run the show have struggled with falling ratings and finding the right host in recent years. In 2020, the show relied on various hosts after first-choice Kevin Hart left the show under fire for problematic attitudes on social media.
In 2021, the pandemic forced the ceremony out of its usual Dolby Theater home and once again hired a changing roster of presenters instead of the traditional emcees for the muted ceremony. This year represented a return to more normal ceremonies, albeit with three hosts – Amy Schumer, Regina Hall and Wanda Sykes.
Bringing back Kimmel’s point to all involved in the hope that a familiar face will draw people back, and big popular movies with Oscar buzz like ‘Top Gun Maverick’ and, potentially, ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ and ‘Black Panther’. : Wakanda Forever’.
The 95th Oscar nominations will be announced on January 24, 2023, with the ceremony to be held on March 12.
Will Smith accepts the Oscar® for Actor in a Leading Role during ABC’s live broadcast of the 94th Oscar® at the Dolby Theater at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles, CA, on Sunday, March 27, 2022. Photo Credit: Kyusung Gong / AMPAS