All hail Jimmy Kimmel. The host opened with a monologue that was hilarious and, as Oscars hosts are wont to do, pushed the buttons on social and political tensions. At least we know this year won’t be another Anne Hathaway and James Franco trainwreck…
With America’s highly-publicised political tensions of late, Jimmy didn’t ignore the ubiquitous sense of division across the country.
“The country’s divided. People told me, ‘You need to say something to unite us,’” told the talk show host. “I can’t do that. There’s only one Braveheart here and he’s not going to unite us either.”
If Mel Gibson was uncomfortable about what could’ve been a thinly-veiled reference to his infamous anti-Semitic comments ten years ago, he hid it with an awkward half-laugh.
“You look great, by the way – I think Scientology is working,” Kimmel added.
Jimmy went on to encourage everyone to have constructive conversations, “As Americans. Not as liberals or conservatives. As Americans – we can make America great again.”
The subversive use of Trump’s tagline prompted the host to thank the President.
“I want to say thank you to President Trump. Remember last year everyone thought the Oscars was racist? Not anymore.”
“Look at the nominations this year. Black people saved NASA and white people saved jazz. Now that’s progress.”
Trump’s Muslim ban also received a subtle nod with Jimmy telling Isabelle Huppert he was glad Homeland Security let her in, because “Hollywood doesn’t discriminate based on where you come from. We discriminate based on age and weight.”
He ended the speech with an acknowledgement of Meryl Streep’s record-breaking, her own record in case you’re wondering, 20th Oscar nomination.
Her “lacklustre career”, which is “over rated and uninspiring” stretched from “mediocre early work in The Deer Hunter and Kramer vs. Kramer to underwhelming performances in Sophie’s Choice” received a standing ovation.
“Let’s give a totally undeserved round of applause, the highly overrated Meryl Streep everyone.”
He punctuated the applause by asking if her dress was an Ivanka – a double-whammy referring to Meryl’s moving speech about the new President at the Golden Globes, as well as the Chanel dress controversy which has been plaguing her lead up to the Oscars.
And now, let the night begin!
