Host Jimmy Kimmel speaks during the Oscars on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
| Photo Credit: Chris Pizzello
Television host and comedian Jimmy Kimmel kicked off the ceremonies at the 96th Academy Awards with a series of hearty quips in his opening monologue.
Kimmel, hosting for the fourth time, gently ribbed the Oscar nominees, making jokes about everything from Robert Downey Jr.’s legendary drug troubles to Bradley Cooper bringing his mom to every major awards appearance.
Talking about Greta Gerwig’s megahit Barbie, up for nine Oscars, the late-night host said the film has recast the famous Mattel doll in a feminist light.
“Now Barbie is a feminist icon thanks to Greta Gerwig, who many believed deserved to be nominated for Best Director,” Kimmel said.
Dwelling on the snub for Gerwig, Kimmel added: “I know you’re clapping, but you’re the ones who didn’t vote for her, by the way. Don’t act like you had nothing to do with this.”
He also gave a shout-out to Barbie stars Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling. The actors have been nominated in the Best Supporting Actor and Best Actress categories.
“Ryan and Margot, I want you to know that even if neither one of you wins an Oscar tonight, you both already won the something much more important: the genetic lottery,” Kimmel quipped.
Directors Steven Spielberg and Christopher Nolan (nominated for Oppenheimer), actors Robert Downey Jr., Cillian Murphy and Robert De Niro, and actresses Sandra Hüller, Lily Gladstone and Jodi Foster earned affable mentions in Kimmel’s speech.
Kimmel also addressed the ‘long’ twin strikes that buffeted Hollywood in recent months.
With an astounding 13 nominations, Oppenheimer stands poised to etch its name in Oscars history. Other top contenders include Barbie, Poor Things, Killers of the Flower Moon, Zone of Interest and others.
