Oscars 2018 Host Jimmy Kimmel Addresses Weinstein Scandal Head-On

Jimmy Kimmel maintained a fine balance between straight-talking & satire in his opening monologue.

Jimmy Kimmel in his second turn as host at the Oscars 2018 ceremony.

(Photo Courtesy: Twitter)

The biggest Hollywood night that marks the grand finale of the awards season kicked off in LA with Jimmy Kimmel as the host, for the second time in a row. After a comedic black-and-white video introducing some of the celebrated guests, he opened the night with a joke about last year's 'Envelopegate' gaffe - the Moonlight-La La Land mixup. "I do want to mention: This year, when you hear your name called, don't get up right away," he joked.

He took a dig at Hollywood's attitude towards women, saying: "We made a movie called "What Women Want" – and it starred Mel Gibson."

Unlike, The Golden Globes where the Time’s Up Movement took centre-stage, the red carpet at the 90th Academy Awards did not manifest the sentiment with gusto. But Jimmy Kimmel leaped headlong into the Hollywood sex scandal discussion in the opening monologue.

He mentioned how Harvey Weinstein was expelled by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in an unprecedented disapprobation of decades of sexual harassment.

“There were a lot of great nominees and Harvey deserved it the most... The Academy kicked him out and after they did, I was curious, so, I looked it up. You know the only other person to be expelled from the Academy, ever, was a character actor named Carmine Caridi. In 2004, he was kicked out for sharing screeners. Carmine Caridi got the same punishment as Harvey Weinstein for giving his neighbour a copy of “Seabiscuit” on VHS.” 

Jimmy Kimmel in his second turn as Oscars host

The comedian cheered the women who came out with stories of assault and harassment and took a stand. Kimmel said that ceilings have been shattered, mentioning films like Lady Bird, Black Panther and Wonder Woman. But he also stressed that they still had a long way to go. Kimmel brought up the fact that equal pay had yet to be achieved and said that only 11 percent of movies are directed by women.

He even unabashedly acknowledged the pay-disparity story with regard to reshoots of All the Money in the World, where despite being represented by the same agency, stars Mark Wahlberg and Michelle Williams were reportedly paid enormously different amounts. He added, “To his credit, Mark Wahlberg announced he would be donating all $1.5 million to the Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund. That’s right. So, I guess now the ball’s in your court, Michelle. What are you going to do with that 80 bucks?”

“What happened with Harvey and what’s happening all over is long overdue...We can’t let bad behaviour slide anymore. The world is watching us. We need to set an example and the truth is if we are successful here.... If we can do that, and stop harassment in the workplace, women will only have to deal with harassment all the time, at every other place they go.”

Jimmy Kimmel in his second turn as Oscars host

“This is a night for positivity and our plan is to shine a light on a group of outstanding and inspiring films, each and every one of which got crushed by “Black Panther” this weekend. Which, that’s — that’s okay. The success of “Black Panther” is one of many positive stories this year.”

Oscars host, Jimmy Kimmel

The host commended Jordan Peele’s Get Out saying that the ‘funny man’ turned writer and director is one of the first artists to be nominated in three major categories on his first big screen debut.

“None other than President Trump called “Get Out” the best first three-quarters of a movie this year.”

Jimmy Kimmel

“We will remember this year as the year men screwed up so badly, women started dating fish,”

Kimmel touched upon harassment again in a droll vein, alluding to ‘The Shape of Water’

He referred to the fact that Sunday's ceremony marked the Academy Awards' 90th birthday and threw in a joke about the genital-free Oscar statue.

“Oscar is the most beloved and respected man in Hollywood. And there’s a very good reason why. Just look at him. Keeps his hands where you can see them. Never says a rude word and most importantly, no penis at all. He is literally a statue of limitations. And that’s the kind of men we need more of in this town.”

Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel

He shined a light on the history of the Oscars ceremony.

“The first Oscar ceremony lasted, and this is true, 15 minutes, from beginning to end. And people still complained. But — so, if you do win an Oscar tonight, we want you to give a speech. We want you to say whatever you feel needs to be said. Speak from the heart. We want passion. You have an opportunity and a platform to remind millions of people about important things like equal rights and equal treatment. If you want to encourage others to join the amazing students at Parkland at their march on the 24th, do that.”

Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel

Kimmel closed the speech with an announcement that whoever gives the shortest speech of the night will win a free jet ski.

The 90th annual Academy Awards took place at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.

Source: Hollywood Reporter, The New York Times

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