In a recent announcement from the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, it was revealed that the illustrious Jimmy Kimmel is set to host the Oscars for the second consecutive year and an impressive fourth time overall. The decision comes after Kimmel helmed the 2023 ceremony, drawing 18.7 million viewers – the highest since the pre-pandemic broadcast in 2020, albeit the third-worst recorded.
Amidst the wake of the infamous Will Smith incident at the 2022 Oscars, Kimmel presided over a cautious ceremony that played a pivotal role in stabilizing the Academy Awards, which had experienced years of tumult.
Kimmel previously graced the Oscars stage as the host in 2017 and 2018, and now, in his return, expressed his excitement, stating, “I always dreamed of hosting the Oscars exactly four times.”
While Kimmel inches up in the record books, he is still far from reaching the most frequent Oscar emcee, a title held by the legendary Bob Hope, who hosted a record 19 times either solo or as a co-host. Following closely, Billy Crystal hosted nine times, all between 1990 and 2012.
The Academy has also announced the involvement of Raj Kapoor as executive producer and showrunner, Katy Mullan as executive producer, and Hamish Hamilton as the director for the 96th Academy Awards. Molly McNearney, executive producer of “Jimmy Kimmel Live” and Kimmel’s wife, will return for a second consecutive year as an executive producer.
In a joint statement, Kapoor and Mullan commended Kimmel’s exceptional blend of humanity and humor, solidifying him as one of the all-time great Oscar hosts. The 96th Academy Awards, slated for March 10, will be broadcast live on ABC from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
By AP
