Looks like it’s back to square one for the Oscars. According to Puck’s Matt Belloni, Jimmy Kimmel has turned down the chance to host the Academy Awards for a fourth time. Meanwhile, John Mulaney — who would have been a fantastic host— also turned down the job.
The Oscars will air in March 2025 on ABC. They have a bit of time to figure this out. Who will fill Kimmel’s shoes? It’s not like he was as great as Johnny Carson, Bob Hope, or Billy Crystal. Frankly, I’d suggest Chris Rock, but chances are low that he’d accept the offer.
Whoever the host might be, you can bet your bottom dollar that they’ll get vetted to death on social media. What the Kevin Hart fiasco proved is that being Oscar host means having to deal with your past being scrupulously dissected until something, anything, is found.
Does the next host really want a Hubble telescope hovering directly over the database of his or her entire life? I say, just hire The Muppets. I’ve been floating this idea for years now. It’s the safest and most entertaining choice.