Jimmy Kimmel to host the 89th Academy Awards in February 2017
The late-night talk show host has emceed the Emmy Awards twice.
Late-night talk show anchor and comedian Jimmy Kimmel will host the 89th Oscars, The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences confirmed on Tuesday. The 89th edition of the Oscars will be telecast on February 26, 2017.
Kimmel, who is the executive producer and host of the TV show Jimmy Kimmel Live, will be emceeing the Academy Awards for the first time. In the past, he has hosted the Emmy Awards in 2012 and 2016.
“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,” said Academy CEO Dawn Hudson.
Kimmel tweeted about the news:
Yes, I am hosting the Oscars. This is not a prank. And if it is, my revenge on @TheAcademy will be terrible & sweet. Thx to @alsformalwear
— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) December 5, 2016
Last year, the Academy Awards was embroiled in controversy for ignoring black talent. The Academy faced criticism for being “too white”, and a campaign called #OscarSoWhite began. Comedian Chris Rock, who had hosted the 2016 event, took a dig at the Academy and called Hollywood racist in his opening monologue.