Jimmy Kimmel is ready to host the Oscars this year and even plans to deal with anyone who tries to ‘Oscar slap’ him.
Ahead of the ceremony, the talk show host and comedian spoke in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter and said he would fight back against anyone who repeats what Will Smith did last year.
Talking about the Oscar slap, Kimmel said, “If somebody comes up on the stage and slaps me? Well, I size them up, and, if I’m bigger than they are, I beat the s–t out of them on television,” he said.
The late-night talk show host jokingly added that if the person were Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, he’d run.
Last year, the world witnessed the infamous Oscar slap by Will Smith after the show host and comedian, Chris Rock joked about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.
On March 28, 2022, on the eve of the 94th Academy Awards, the world witnessed an iconic slap by Will Smith. When presenter Chris Rock joked about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, initially everyone laughed, including Smith himself. But a few moments later, the actor stood up from his seat and went on stage, where he smacked Chris and said, “keep my wife’s name outta your ****ing mouth.”
After the smacking, the 54-year-old actor came under heavy criticism and backlash, and most people, including his fellow actors and colleagues, bashed him for reacting so aggressively.
Later, The Pursuit of Happyness star took to his Instagram and wrote an apology post.
“Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behavior at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable. Jokes at my expense are a part of the job, but a joke about Jada’s medical condition was too much for me to bear, and I reacted emotionally.”
“I would like to publicly apologize to you, Chris. I was out of line and I was wrong. I am embarrassed and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be. There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness. “
“I would also like to apologize to the Academy, the producers of the show, all the attendees, and everyone watching around the world. I would like to apologize to the Williams Family and my King Richard Family. I deeply regret that my behavior has stained what has been an otherwise gorgeous journey for all of us. I am a work in progress.”
Speaking with THR, Jimmy Kimmel said that it’s almost boring at this point to joke about The Slap.
“Well, whatever I say about it, it’s going to have to be great, right? Because so much has been said and there’s so much focus on it. I obviously don’t want to make the whole monologue about that, but it would be ridiculous not to mention it.”
The award show will be broadcasted live on ABC.
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Source: The Hollywood Reporter