Jimmy Kimmelis hosting theOscarsthis year for the fourth time.
(Whoopi did it 4 times as well.)
It always helps, he correctly thinks, when viewers have actuallyseenthe movies.
Jimmy Kimmel and friendsAMPAS
Here is the Deadline Jimmy Kimmel Oscar interview.
DEADLINE:Can you believe this is your fourth Oscar show?
JIMMY KIMMEL:It just really shows you how far we have fallen as a culture.
DEADLINE:Do you actually enjoy hosting this show.
It seems like a lot of pressure, and sometimes like a cant-win proposition.
KIMMEL:I do.
I dont love the lead-up to it, but I do enjoy actually hosting the show.
When Im onstage and everythings ready to go, its fun to show everyone what youve been working on.
DEADLINE:How much time do you prepare once you get the notice that youre going to host it?
I make little notes about award shows all the time.
DEADLINE:Do you see some of the films to prepare for it?
I think I see around 100 movies a year.
DEADLINE:Do you try out your monologue anywhere before the show?
Some hosts go to comedy clubs to see what works.
DEADLINE:As I recall, last year you steered clear of any Trump or political jokes.
Is that intentional because it is the Oscars?
I dont think any politician is off limits, but it may be past his expiration date.
1 film of the yearat the box office, a global phenomenon.
I mean, it would be hard to do a comedic promo aroundThe Zone of Interest.
I heard that [complaint] too.
DEADLINE:you’re able to say that again!
Being rejected in death.
DEADLINE:So if a joke doesnt go well, do you plan on blaming your writers this year?
KIMMEL:I did, and I felt bad for him.
I dont think he was put in a great position.
I am going to do the Oscars again?
KIMMEL:Well, theres never really one thing.
Giving our writers some extra work was part of it.
You know, I felt like especially sitting at home for six months it seemed more appealing than difficult.
KIMMEL:Yeah, a post-Oscars show.
Those were fun to do.
But everyone watches it.
Is it something different for you than the many other shows youve hosted?
Well, you know, obviously, its the crown jewel of award shows.
You know its an analogy people use.
They dont say, This is the Golden Globes of the chemical engineering world.
They just let me do it.
I think theres something about having someone like Jimmy Kimmel hosting it that seems, well, comfortable.
And you know, that stuff ultimately means something.
DEADLINE:And I thinkABCis happy you are back.
Are you going to want to come back and do more Oscars?
KIMMEL:I think Ive retired from ruling things out.
Say it aint so.
KIMMEL:I know, I say that every single time.
I know Ive lost all credibility, and I should probably stop talking about that, too.
DEADLINE:You are the longest-running late-night host right now.
The ratings seem good.
KIMMEL:I know, I know.
Its crazy to think about it.
KIMMEL:We would like to, yes.
The others fear that their shows would be stolen from them, you know?
KIMMEL:I got a lot of jokes about all the movies, and Im not being coy.
I mean, thats basically what it is.
KIMMEL:Well, it turns out that people just want you to keep the show moving.
But right now, we dont have anything big like that planned.
DEADLINE: Well there is one very major change this year.
The show is going to start a full hour earlier, at 4 p.m. Pacific Time.
Plus, it is the first day of daylight-saving time.
Is the earlier start time a plus?
Is that a good thing from your point of view?
KIMMEL:No, that is definitely not a plus.
Now, having them on in the middle of the day is going to be confusing.
So it sounds like you are concerned about the change.
KIMMEL:Yeah, I am for sure.
So the worst-case scenario is they tune in 20 minutes late, you know?
So maybe I should do the monologue at the end of the show.
DEADLINE:That would be a first.
One year you had lunch boxes, each with a different Best Picture nominee on them.
Any thing like that this year?
KIMMEL:Yeah, we are going to do one of those things.
We are going to do something like that.
o, dont worry.
At the very least, there will be snacks.
ABC airs the 96th Annual Academy Awards live coast-to-coastonSunday, March 10, starting at7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT.
