Jimmy Kimmel to return as host of the 96th Oscars in 2024
Jimmy Kimmel, who has previously hosted the Oscars on three occasions, is set to return to once again be in charge of affairs at the 96th ceremony on March 10th, 2024.
Molly McNearney, co-head writer and executive producer of Jimmy Kimmel Live! on ABC will also serve as an executive producer for the 96th Oscars telecast. “I always dreamed of hosting the Oscars exactly four times,” Kimmel said in a statement ahead of the event at the Dolby Theatre.
The academy and ABC have experimented with various formats and hosts in recent years in an attempt to revive ratings and cultural significance. In 2022, for instance, they attempted three hosts—Wanda Sykes, Regina Hall, and Amy Schumer. This followed a period in 2019 which included no hosts at all.
For the show in 2023, the academy enlisted Kimmel as host, who also held the role in 2017 and 2018. As a result, viewership increased to nearly 19 million people, up from 16.6 million the previous year and a record low of 10.4 million in 2021. Prior to 2018, the broadcast had never fallen below 32 million viewers.
Kimmel’s comeback was also devoid of controversy, aiding in restoring the event’s prestige following the 2022 incident with Will Smith and Chris Rock. The academy and ABC subsequently underwent a transformation of the red carpet pre-show, enlisting consultants familiar with the Met Gala to cultivate a more elegant and orderly ambiance for celebrity arrivals.
Hollywood’s awards season has faced a significant delay this year, mostly due to the actors’ strike, which has hindered stars from promoting their upcoming projects. Following the strike’s resolution, studios and publicists swiftly accelerated their awards campaigns, propelling figures including Emma Stone, a strong contender for a Best Actress nomination for her standout performance in recent projects Poor Things and American Fiction.
Other films projected to play a significant role in the 96th Academy Awards include Barbie and Oppenheimer, both of which are still enjoying immense success at the global box office.
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