Jimmy Kimmel talks about his third Oscars appearance and yes, the slap is addressed

Screengrab via ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ / YouTube

Jimmy Kimmel will be hosting the Academy Awards for the third time in 2023 after 2017 and 2018 Rock after he joked about Jada Pinkett Smith’s alopecia. Kimmel will have to mention that at the ceremony, but how well will this gag land?

Speaking to Extra about whether or not he will bring up the now infamous moment, Kimmel said:

“Somehow it has to come. You know, I don’t really want to downplay it because comedians are crazy about it. It’s one of those things that, for a group of people who find everything funny, it’s like it’s not funny, you know. … But you must have read the wrong winner a year when I was hosting the Oscars, we had to mention that the next year. I think yes there will be something.”

Kimmel, of course, is referring to another infamous Oscar blunder, though la la country was incorrectly announced as the Best Picture winner due to confusion with the covers. It took a few minutes and one of the most embarrassing moments in the history of the award to announce this moonlight was the actual winner, prompting cast and crew la la country have to clear the stage.

Kimmel had his own mistake presenting an award at the 2022 Emmys. He and Will Arnett came up with an idea when he presented Quinta Brunson with the award for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series.

Laying down on the stage as Brunta delivered her speech above him, he took a bit of the shine off Brunta’s moment, which many were quick to criticize. When asked if he would be hosting the Oscars lying down or standing, he replied, “I’ll be standing. I’ve learned my lesson,” he said, laughing, “I’ll stand, in fact, I’ll carry elevators.”

Hosting the Oscars is always a challenge, and there have been a few times where hosts have fallen flat with chilling jokes and/or mean comments. Having a late-night comedic host isn’t the worst idea in the world, especially one who’s experienced in the field, but with so much happening over the last year, let’s hope the 2023 Oscars go smoother and gossip-free get lost.