Jimmy Kimmel to Return as Host of the 96th Academy Awards
Jimmy Kimmel is set to return to the Oscar stage once again as the host of the 96th Academy Awards. This marks Kimmel’s fourth time hosting the prestigious awards show, and it comes as no surprise given his extensive experience in live TV and his longstanding relationship with Disney.
The announcement of Kimmel as the host comes after the Academy set a producing team, a returning director, and a first-time showrunner in Raj Kapoor, who has worked on the Academy Awards telecast for the last seven years. Kimmel’s wife and Jimmy Kimmel Live co-head writer, Molly McNearney, is also set to return as an executive producer for the telecast.
Despite rumblings about a potential date move for the Oscars during the darker days of Hollywood’s dual strikes, it is no longer necessary, and the town’s top talent is already back in full campaign mode. Many have been scrambling to make up for lost time, and Kimmel’s ABC show is expected to benefit from the parade of A-listers eager to promote this year’s Oscar hopefuls.
During the writers’ strike, Jimmy Kimmel Live was off the air, but Kimmel maintained a presence through his popular “Strike Force Five” podcast with his fellow late-night hosts. Proceeds from the podcast went to the shows’ out-of-work staffs. Kimmel revealed on one of the episodes that he had been “very intent on retiring” prior to the strike, but he formally re-upped with Disney last year, and his ABC show will continue through season 23.
The 96th Oscars are set to air live on ABC on Sunday, March 10, 2024, from the Dolby Theatre. With Kimmel at the helm once again, viewers can expect an entertaining and memorable night at the Academy Awards.