Being the host of the Academy Awards is kind of a thankless job if you’re name isn’t Billy Crystal. Just ask David Letterman or Chris Rock who got criticized for being edgy.
Jimmy Kimmel is one of the best-kept secrets on TV because he’s not hosting The Tonight Show, but he is a worthy successor to David Letterman style humor and he truly did an amazing job as Oscars host. I was reading a review that Entertainment Weekly gave of his performance as host and it’s clearly the reviewer and I were watching different telecasts.
Jimmy straddled the fence by not being too political, which is great and his political barbs were funny even if you like President Trump. While the snack parachute drops and the tour bus prank are slightly derivative from cute stuff that a previous host Ellen DeGeneres did, it mad for some great moments. The fake war with Matt Damon, which is always a treat on his late night show, was a great addition to the telecast.
Jimmy even handled the LaLa Land Best Picture flub with amazing tact even though Price Waterhouse Coopers accountants were clearly asleep.
Let’s just hope solid ratings come in and Jimmy is brought back as host for 2018.
