Jimmy Kimmel Dishes on Oscars Hosting Gig: ‘Maybe I’ll Wear Jean Shorts’
In case you didn’t already know, Jimmy Kimmel confirmed on Monday night’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” that he will indeed host the 89th annual Oscars — but of course, he couldn’t even be serious about one of Hollywood’s highest honors.
“A lot of things happened to me over the last two weeks. I got a tummy tuck, they still give those,” Kimmel said during his opening monologue. “I had my eyes done and I think they look great, right?
“I also went to Dry Bar, I got an up-do. I had my whole body done. I read online today that in February, I will be hosting the Oscars,” he added, finally getting to the big news of the day.
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“The producers and the Academy went through a long list of names, and in the end they decided that since I am already right across the street from where they do the show, I was the closest person to host,” Kimmel quipped, in reference to his studio on Hollywood Blvd. — literally across the street from the Dolby Theatre where the Oscars are held.
“I guess I have to get a tux now. Or maybe I’ll wear jean shorts? Has anyone ever done that?” he asked. We don’t recommend that look, Jimmy.
“I will say I got a very nice call of congratulations this morning from the President of Taiwan. And just to be clear, she called me, not the other way around,” Kimmel said, in a not-so-subtle dig at President-elect Donald Trump.
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Earlier on Monday, the ABC late-night host said in a (slightly) more strait-laced statement: “I am honored to have been chosen to host the 89th and final Oscars.”
It will mark Kimmel’s first time hosting the show, which is being produced by Michael De Luca and Jennifer Todd.
“Mike and Jennifer have an excellent plan and their enthusiasm is infectious,” Kimmel said, along with tweeting about his new gig:
“We’re thrilled he has agreed to host our show,” Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs said in a statement. “He knows who he is, he knows the audience and he knows how to captain a ship with many moving parts.”
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“The Oscars are in great hands with Jimmy,” added Academy CEO Dawn Hudson. “He is razor sharp, funny, and unpredictable, and has proven himself a master of live event television, which is perfect for our audience around the world.”
The 89th Oscars will be held at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center in Hollywood. It will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide and air on ABC in the U.S. at at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT.
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