Jimmy Kimmel Reportedly Won’t Return as Oscars Host in 2025

One of the most consistent and reliable hosts of the Academy Awards won’t be returning to the gig next year. Jimmy Kimmel, the familiar face of ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live!, has hosted the Oscars four times in the last decade, including the last two consecutive years. He has been seen as a safe but steady choice, especially considering some of the more controversial hosts over the years. For 2025, it seems ABC and the Academy will need to find a new host.

According to a new report from Puck News, Kimmel has decided not to host the 2025 Oscars, which would have marked his third consecutive year. The report also hinted that comedian John Mulaney was considered for the role after Kimmel declined, which is exciting for fans of Mulaney’s award show speeches. Unfortunately, Mulaney had to turn down the offer due to scheduling conflicts.

This development leaves the 97th Oscars without a host at the moment, but there’s still ample time for the Academy to make a decision, as the ceremony isn’t slated until March of next year.

In addition to stepping away from the Oscars hosting duties, Kimmel appears to be contemplating leaving his regular job as a late-night host. Earlier this year, the comedian announced that he might walk away from Jimmy Kimmel Live! once his current contract concludes.

“Wednesday night, I was very tired and I had all these scripts to go through — I had to revise and rewrite all these pitch ideas for the Oscars — and I was literally nodding off onto my computer,” Kimmel shared with the Los Angeles Times back in February. “In those moments, I think, ‘I cannot wait until my contract is over.’ But then, I take the summer off or I go on strike, and you start going, ‘Yeah, I miss the fun stuff.’

On the Strike Force Five podcast, which Kimmel co-hosted alongside fellow late-night hosts Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers, Stephen Colbert, and John Oliver, he confessed that this will probably be the end, even though he’s had similar thoughts previously.

“I think this is my final contract,” Kimmel admitted. “I hate to even say it, because everyone’s laughing at me now — each time I think that, and then it turns out to be not the case. I still have a little more than two years left on my contract, and that seems pretty good. That seems like enough.”

The news of Kimmel stepping down has left many fans and industry insiders speculating about who might take over the prestigious hosting role at the Oscars. The Academy has often struggled to find the right tone for the event, switching between different styles and personalities. Kimmel’s steady and reliable presence had provided a sense of continuity that will now be missed.

Finding a new host who can handle the pressures and high expectations of the Oscars is no small feat. The Academy will likely consider a range of candidates, seeking someone who can bring both humor and dignity to the role. While John Mulaney was an exciting prospect, his scheduling conflicts mean that the search continues.

The Oscars have a long tradition of iconic hosts, from Bob Hope to Billy Crystal, who have set a high bar for humor and grace. The next host will need to live up to those standards while also bringing their own unique style to the ceremony.

As Jimmy Kimmel looks ahead to a life possibly free from the rigors of nightly television and annual award show hosting, his fans are left to ponder what his next chapter might hold. Whether or not he steps behind a desk again, his impact on late-night television and the Oscars will be remembered.

For now, audiences and industry professionals alike will wait with bated breath to see who will take the stage on Oscar night in 2025. Whoever it is, they will have big shoes to fill, following in the footsteps of a host who mastered the art of blending humor with heart, a mix that is crucial for one of Hollywood’s biggest nights.

Source: Puck News, Los Angeles Times