The 2024 Oscars, hosted by renowned comedian and television host Jimmy Kimmel at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California, was a fusion of Hollywood glamor and live TV unpredictability. The highlight of the event on March 10 was a surprise move by Kimmel that sparked nationwide conversations.
Despite being advised against it, on stage Kimmel read a critical remark from former president Donald Trump. The incident highlighted Kimmel’s willingness to challenge conventions.
At 56, this was Kimmel’s third time hosting the Oscars. Known for his humor and ability to push the envelope, Kimmel introduced political satire into the evening’s entertainment.
Reports indicate that Kimmel, with some time left towards the end of the program, decided to share Trump’s critical comments about his hosting performance that were posted on Truth Social. This move came despite strong advice from the Oscars’ production team against highlighting the former president’s post.
In a conversation with Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos, Kimmel shared how he came across former President Trump’s post about his hosting performance towards the end of the event.
In his post, Trump, aged 77, criticized Kimmel’s opening, labeling it as below average and Kimmel’s performance as the worst in Oscar history. He also criticized the show as “incoherent, dull, and exceedingly unfair,” ending his statement with “MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”.
Despite resistance, which later came out to be from Kimmel’s wife and co-executive producer of the show, Molly McNearney, aged 46, Kimmel went on to read Trump’s critique on stage. This resulted in Kimmel humorously responding with “Isn’t it past your jail time?”, a joke that was well received by the audience.
Variety reported that McNearney was initially not in favor of Kimmel highlighting Trump’s comments. However, she later acknowledged her mistake in judging the situation.
McNearney agreed that the joke was risky and that she did not want to give Trump any unnecessary attention. Her aim was to ensure a positive conclusion to the show, avoiding any negative elements.
Eventually, McNearney appreciated the humor in the situation and credited Kimmel’s confidence and comedic skills. She acknowledged Kimmel’s ability to handle such moments effortlessly.
The evening also had its share of scripted Hollywood moments, including Emma Stone’s whispered reaction to a joke Kimmel made about her movie, which some took as negative. Stone, who won Best Actress that evening, later joked about a wardrobe malfunction, adding humor to the event.
Kimmel’s decision to highlight Trump’s critique highlighted the intersection of entertainment and politics. The Oscars served as a platform to recognize artistic talent and comment on societal and political issues.
