Jimmy Kimmel will host the 2023 Academy Awards early next year, marking the third time that the comedian and late-night TV personality has hosted the event. Kimmel previously hosted the ceremony in 2017 (the year of the infamous Moonlight/La La Land debacle) and 2018.
The Academy’s search for a host this year was obviously more scrutinized than in years past given the events of the 2022 Oscars, which infamously saw Best Actor winner Will Smith walk on the stage and smack host Chris Rock after he made a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett.
“Jimmy is the perfect host to help us recognize the incredible artists and films of our 95th Oscars. His love of movies, live TV expertise, and ability to connect with our global audiences will create an unforgettable experience for our millions of viewers worldwide. With Kimmel, Weiss, and Kirshner’s fresh perspective and masterful guidance, the Oscars will celebrate its rich 95-year history, the collaborative nature of moviemaking, and our diverse, dynamic, and deeply creative community of filmmakers,” The Academy said in a statement.
Given what Kimmel pulled at the Emmys earlier this year — laying down behind Abbott Elementary creator Quina Brunson during the entirety of her acceptance speech — pop culture fans weren’t too enthused when they heard Kimmel would be hosting the Oscars in the coming months.
Pop culture world reacts to the news that Jimmy Kimmel will host the 2023 Academy Awards, the first Oscars after the Will Smith Slap
No why why https://t.co/GR71i59ziC pic.twitter.com/PjOc0XLwhq
— Carey Grants Hag (@buy_juice) November 7, 2022
Gonna be a painfully unfunny show I fear 😵💫 https://t.co/s51UJrGzhF
— Ethan (@grimesclarkluvr) November 7, 2022
After this bullshit we don’t want him https://t.co/FFVz4FSoSd pic.twitter.com/W9zUw4FfJT
— Mike Carolla (@SJTimes13) November 7, 2022
Hell is real and it is Jimmy Kimmel re-hosting the Oscars. https://t.co/3m7Ow8In9z pic.twitter.com/qUlGEfXIWM
— Saint Nix 🎅 (@Jonixmusic64) November 7, 2022
Not the best news to start the week with but fine… https://t.co/ygclymKmTh pic.twitter.com/SbsnReZtN2
— shaun (@ccbacara) November 7, 2022
we lost https://t.co/F3fiAhY4cl
— nick (@Iovesunrise) November 7, 2022
If they’re gonna pick a talk show host, at least pick one that’s actually funny https://t.co/irr2EbRsfJ pic.twitter.com/2oSENu0IFj
— Danny (@nada_films) November 7, 2022
Not after this https://t.co/0yFwV8VAcV pic.twitter.com/aE94hHrQsG
— alexia (@tchxlmt) November 7, 2022
The 2023 Academy Awards take place at Los Angeles’ Dolby Theater on Sunday, March 12, 2023.