Jimmy Kimmel may play the fool on his show but this first-time host of the Oscars is certainly savvy when it comes to understanding the business side of Hollywood. He is well aware that the ratings for the Academy Awards are dependent on the Best Picture line-up. And that is why he was bummed that “Deadpool,” the comic book come to life starring Ryan Reynolds, did not number among the nine Best Picture nominees. This raunchy superhero flick holds the record for the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time ($783 million worldwide) and did reap a bid with the Producers Guild of America Awards.
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As Kimmel explains in a Variety cover story, “I do think there’s a certain type of movie that’s not considered for awards. It’s a shame, because there’s nothing serious about the movies; they’re an escape.” He also laments the lack of love for comedies: “There’s maybe too much gravity applied to the nomination process.”
Kimmel, who only got this gig in December, promises that he will make merry with those films and performers that are nominated. As he did when hosting the Emmys in September, he has turned to the writers room on his long-running late night talker “Jimmy Kimmel Live” for his opening monologue and other remarks.
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Kimmel admits he is nervous about hosting Hollywood’s biggest night but he knows that he has the support of his home network, ABC, which is also the long-time broadcaster of the Oscars. Indeed, the alphabet network had long championed their late-night staple as a candidate for Oscar host. For the better part of the decade, he hosted a special “After the Oscars” edition of “Jimmy Kimmel Live” immediately following the show from his set across Hollywood Boulevard and he is now delighted that gets to go inside the Dolby Theater.
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