The Oscars will be back before you know it, and the Academy has already decided who will host the next ceremony. Jimmy Kimmel, the host of the TV talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live!, will return to the stage for the fourth time to host the show. Molly McNearney, who will serve as an executive producer for the second year in a row, is also returning.
Jimmy Kimmel Live previously hosted Oscar telecasts in 2017, 2018, and 2023. Whoopi Goldberg and Jack Lemmon are two other people who have completed this task four times. Meanwhile, Johnny Carson has hosted the Oscars five times, Billy Crystal nine times, and Bob Hope eleven times.
In a statement, Jimmy Kimmel said jokingly, “I always dreamed of hosting the Oscars exactly four times.”
Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President said, “We are thrilled about Jimmy returning to host and Molly [McNearney] returning as executive producer for the Oscars. They share our love of movies and our commitment to producing a dynamic and entertaining show for our global audience. We are deeply grateful to Jimmy, Molly, and their teams for their incredible creativity and partnership and for going on this ride with us again.”
“After his triumphant return to the Oscars stage last year, we are honored to have Jimmy back to guide us through one of the most beloved celebrations in entertainment,” said Craig Erwich, president of ABC Entertainment, Hulu, and Disney Branded Television Streaming Originals. “He is such a valuable member of our Disney family, and we could not be more appreciative of him and his entire team.”
Diverse lineup at the 96th Academy Awards
This year’s Oscars will be very different, as the list of films vying for the top honors includes some unusual titles that have received critical praise while still making a lot of money. These include Barbie and Oppenheimer, the cinematic duo that debuted together and caused havoc at the global box office. The phenomenon is known as the Barbenheimer effect. Other notable titles include American Fiction, Killers of the Flower Moon, Maestro, and Poor Things.
The 96th Academy Awards will be hosted in the Dolby Theatre on March 10, 2024.
