Abhay Singh
Jimmy Kimmel, a seasoned host who has led the prestigious Academy Awards stage four times, made the decision not to return as the host for the upcoming 2025 Oscars ceremony. While Kimmel has entertained audiences with his wit and humor in the past, he chose to decline the hosting opportunity this time.
John Maulaney also declined the offer
Mulaney, who hosted the Academy’s 14th Governors Awards, was approached but declined.He was a memorable presenter at the 2024 ceremony, performing a Kevin Costner-approved bit about Field of Dreams.
Mulaney’s amusing onstage moment was applauded by Costner, he said “I couldn’t believe that guy. Amazing. I watched it a second time… What a chance, because there’s always people in the Oscars trying to rush you. And he went fast. But what he said, I was very touched by it. I should talk to him because I was really impressed. He was a genius.”
A request for comment was not immediately answered by representatives for Mulaney and Kimmel.
The 97th Academy Awards are scheduled for Sunday, March 2. Live from the Ovation Hollywood Dolby Theatre, it will air on ABC at 7 p.m. ET.
Kimmel’s previous appearance at the Oscars
Kimmel hosted the event in 2017 and 2018, then went hostless from 2019 to 2021.In 2022, Regina Hall, Wanda Sykes, and Amy Schumer hosted. In 2023, Kimmel returned, achieving the highest ratings in four years with 19.5 million viewers.
He also hosts the ABC game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.
Kimmel worked with his wife Molly McNearney to make his Oscar appearances a success.
At the last ceremony while preparing he said “The big challenge always is trying to keep the show moving, so it’s a matter of picking your spots and popping in when you’re needed and staying out of the picture when you’re not.”
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