Jimmy Kimmel has a second chance to host the Oscars next year, as the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has just confirmed that the popular late-night show comedian will be returning to the Dolby Theater, in Hollywood. It will be the second consecutive year for Jimmy Kimmel, who jokingly said in this year's ceremony that it was his first time ever attending the Academy Awards.
In 2018, he'll have another shot.
It's an interesting choice, given the momentum of Jimmy Kimmel's show – where he recently made an emotional plea on behalf of all the American children, in the wake of the GOP's healthcare "Repeal and Replace" bill. It's also notable that he was chosen after the incredible faux pas that shocked everyone at the 2017 ceremony. "La La Land" was mistakenly given the Academy Award for "Best Picture" and it took Kimmel and other producers a good two minutes to realize there was a problem. The Oscar went to "Moonlight," but the chaos that ensued absolutely stole the limelight.
"If you think we screwed up the ending this year, wait until you see what we have planned for the 90th-anniversary show!" joked Kimmel in a statement, calling the 2017 gig as host a "highlight" of his career.
What's in store for 2018
The 2018 Academy Awards will be the 90th edition and the date has been set for March 4. According to a written release by Academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs, Michael De Luca and Jennifer Todd will also return to produce the show. She called the trio – Kimmel, De Luca and Todd – the "Oscar dream team" and went on to say Jimmy Kimmel was one of the "finest hosts" in the 90-year history of the Oscars. Quite the compliment.
De Luca and Todd did not shy away from the crazy Oscar Sunday three months ago.
"We always thought the idea that anything can happen on the Oscars was a cliché until we lived it," said the producers.
Academy CEO Dawn Hudson praised the work of all three, saying the whole team delivered a very good show. "Jimmy brought back the essence and light touch of the greatest hosts of Oscars' past," the executive said while noting that De Luca and Todd's love of movies touched all aspects of the show. "This is the perfect team to lead us into the ninth decade," she added.
Turning bad ratings around
Even with all the commotion and Jimmy Kimmel's high profile, the 2017 telecast lost millions of viewers – again. ABC airs the show and saw viewership drop by almost 10 million people between 2014 and 2016, doing no better in 2017: the Oscars had 32.9 million viewers, on average.
The biggest problem is that younger viewers are not tuning in to watch the show live on TV, and that is a trend that not even Jimmy Kimmel might be able to turn around.
Nevertheless, ABC expresses confidence in the host – and let's not forget this is still a profitable event for the network. "After just one year, we can’t imagine anyone else hosting The Oscars," stated Channing Dungey, President, ABC Entertainment. She went on to praise "Jimmy’s skillful command of the stage" and said the team is ready for an "unforgettable show," that will honor 90 years of Hollywood history.