Late-night funnyman Jimmy Kimmel has been tapped to host the Academy Awards ceremony in February.
Kimmel’s appointment as host is expected to be made official by new show runners Michael De Luca and Jennifer Todd shortly, according to The Hollywood Reporter. In the meantime, Kimmel himself tweeted his “official” confirmation of his Oscars hosting duties.
This is the first time Kimmel will host the prestigious event, following in the footsteps of last year’s host, Chris Rock. Kimmel has twice hosted the Emmy Awards, most recently this year’s show honouring TV’s finest in September, earning positive reviews for his emcee duties. Disney/ABC Television Group chief Ben Sherwood threw Kimmel’s hat in the ring for the Oscars gig after the funnyman won good reviews for hosting the Sept. 18 Emmys.
READ MORE: Barack Obama mocks Donald Trump, reads mean tweets on ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’
The comedian regularly piggybacks on the Oscars, airing a special Jimmy Kimmel Live!: After The Oscars immediately following the annual event. The 2016 special featured a segment titled #Trumped, featuring Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane, spoofing The Producers and now U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.
The 2017 Oscars will air on Sunday, Feb. 26.
Comments