Jimmy Kimmel Announced As Host Of 2017 Academy Awards

Most of the movies that are currently in theaters hope to snag an Academy Award nomination, but [...]

By Patrick Cavanaugh

Most of the movies that are currently in theaters hope to snag an Academy Award nomination, but it'll be a couple months before they find out. The only thing that we know for sure about this year's Oscar celebration is that it will be hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, host of the late night hit Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Kimmel is currently the most senior member of the late night talk show circuit, having hosted his show for 13 years, with most of his competition having much later starts. If his time spent hosting his own show wasn't enough, Kimmel is no stranger to hosting awards ceremonies, having hosted the most recent and 2012 Emmys, the 2007 ESPYS, and the American Music Awards five times.

Hosting the Oscars can be considered both a blessing and a curse, as the show is notorious for always running long and typically it's the host who takes a lot of the heat for the show's criticisms. Kimmel makes a good choice for the role, as he's smart, quick on his feet, and just self-deprecating enough to handle inevitable delays in the broadcast.

On the one hand, Kimmel is no Billy Crystal, but on the other hand, Kimmel is certainly no James Franco and Anne Hathaway. Here's hoping Kimmel won't have to repeat the mistakes of former late night hosts turned Oscar hosts and that neither Oprah Winfrey nor Uma Thurman are in attendance.

The 89th Academy Awards will air on ABC on February 26.

[H/T Variety]

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