The Academy Awardsis Hollywood’s biggest night and a solid showcase for anyone willing to host the big event. While hosting the show can be daunting, it’s a great opportunity for comedic talent – unless it’s the rare ceremony without a host, or when actors are tapped to run the show (we’re still haunted by the time Anne Hathaway and James Franco hosted the Oscars). The Academy likes to lock in a host in advance to ensure things will run smoothly, but it appears that two names are already off the list. One is a four-time presenter while the other emerged as a favorite following a hilarious bit at this year’s ceremony.
PerVariety, Jimmy Kimmel and John Mulaney have both turned down the chance to host the Academy Awards next year. Kimmel, who has hosted the ceremony four times previously, reportedly turned down the offer earlier this summer, which led the team behind the Oscars to reach out to Mulaney. The comedian became an instant hit this year when he presented and had the crowd howling with laughter, resulting in people on social media clamoring for him to host the next event. It’s possible that Mulaney was interested, but he also had to turn it down due to his busy schedule, which includes the rumored renewal of Netflix’sEverybody’s in L.A.
Jimmy Kimmel Is Moving On
Kimmel has been a reliable presence as a host and mostly recently ran the showearlier this year. The late-night talk show host ranks fourth in terms of most times hosting the ceremony, making him evenly matched with Whoopi Goldberg and Jack Lemmon. Coming up next is Johnny Carson, who hosted five times during his career; Billy Crystal, who entertained Hollywood’s elite on the night nine times; and Bob Hope, who is far ahead as the king of hosting the Oscars, with a staggering 19 ceremonies under his belt.
Robert Downey Jr. Breaks His Silence on Jimmy Kimmel’s Controversial Oscars Night Addiction Joke
Robert Downey Jr. was the butt of one of Jimmy Kimmel’s Oscars jokes, and the actor has finally had his chance to respond to the viral moment.
Some were shocked that Kimmel turned down the offer sinceJimmy Kimmel Live!is on ABC, where the ceremony will air, and he has been known as a good team player when it comes to these kinds of things. The hosting gig draws additional public scrutiny, particularly when jokes don’t land and the show isn’t moving at a smooth pace, but that’s not usually an issue for Kimmel. Over the last few years, he has made it known that he wants more time with his family and less of a focus on work, which is why guest hosts have been filling in onJimmy Kimmel Live!during the summer while he takes some time off.
Mulaney has expressed previously that he would be open to hosting the Oscars, but the comedian is busier than ever these days, making it a bit harder to commit. When he hosted the Governors Awards earlier this year, he proved that he could run a show with a magnetic sense of humor, but hosting an event like the Oscars takes months of planning, something Mulaney simply may not have time for given his other opportunities. He reportedly has a lot of stand-up dates on deck, which are pretty lucrative for the comedian.
