In a recent podcast episode of “Politickin’,” Jimmy Kimmel opened up about his decision to decline hosting the Academy Awards next year for a fifth time. The former NFL player Marshawn Lynch and NFL agent Doug Hendrickson joined California Governor Gavin Newsom in the conversation.
Kimmel expressed that hosting both the Oscars and his late-night show is a challenging task. He stated, “It’s hard and it’s a lot of work and the show suffers a little bit to be honest.” Reflecting on his previous hosting experiences, Kimmel noted that focusing on the Oscars detracts from his late-night show, and he didn’t want to deal with that imbalance this year.
Having hosted the Academy Awards in 2017, 2018, 2023, and 2024, Kimmel emphasized the overwhelming nature of the gig. He mentioned, “You wind up pushing everything off till after the Oscars, and then you have to do everything you promised to do after the Oscars, after the Oscars.”
Kimmel admitted that he struggles with balancing his commitments. He shared, “I’m all in when it comes to something like the Oscars. I think about it in the morning and at night, and when I have ideas I want to work on them, and then my nightly show seems like a nuisance.”
While Kimmel finds hosting the Oscars to be fun, he acknowledged that it was too much to take on for three consecutive years. As the 97th Academy Awards approach on March 2, 2025, the host for the event is yet to be announced, with reports that comedian John Mulaney also turned down the opportunity.
Kimmel reflected on the demanding nature of the job, mentioning that many potential hosts shy away from the role due to its time-consuming nature. He added, “They say it’s a thankless job… when it goes well, it isn’t, but it’s a tough spot to be in.”
The Oscar nominees will be revealed on January 17, 2025, leading up to the highly anticipated awards ceremony.
