Jimmy Kimmel as Oscar host? An emphatic “no” has come from a top Academy insider who really looked horrified when I mentioned the name recently. There was a strong case being made for Kimmel based on a lot of things– his show on ABC by March 2nd, 2014 will be under siege from Jimmy Fallon’s move to the Tonight show at 11:35pm.
ABC really wants Kimmel for the Oscars, I am told. And he’s turned into a friend of many younger Hollywood types. If Kimmel were to host the show, he could just go across the street and do his own show, live, extending Oscar night. It does make sense. But unless something really changes, the chances of Kimmel hosting the next Academy Awards is nil.
Of course, you never know. The Academy gets a new president this summer when Hawk Koch’s term is up. The new guy or gal will have ideas of their own. And then returning show producers Neil Meron and Craig Zadan will have input. But Seth MacFarlane has already said no to a return. Billy Crystal is done. Neil Patrick Harris could score a hat trick by hosting the Tonys, Emmys and Oscars, but I doubt it. Hugh Jackman is always a possibility.
And you know: whoever does it will be panned the next day for minute reasons. No one leaves the Oscar host job unscathed.
