Jimmy Kimmel.Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty
Jimmy Kimmelis skewering last year’s slapping incident in his opening monologue at theOscars.
“We know this is a special night for you. We want you to have fun. We want you to feel safe. And most importantly, we want me to feel safe,” he began. “So we have strict policies in place. If anyone in this theater commits an act of violence at any point during the show, you will be awarded the Oscar for Best Actor and permitted to give a 19-minute-long speech.”
Continuing, Kimmel took a moment to jokingly call out those who were present last year when the infamous slap went down. “Seriously, The Academy has a crisis team in place. If anything unpredictable or violent happens during the ceremony. Just do what you did last year: nothing,” he said. “Sit there and do absolutely nothing. Maybe even give the assailant a hug.”
Kimmel added that for those who “get mad at a joke” and want to react adversely, it is “not gonna be easy” this go round.
“There are a few my friends are going to have to get through first,” he said, before shouting out actors' characters, includingPedro Pascal’sMandaloriancharacter andMichael B. Jordan’s Adonis Creed fromCreed.
Atthe Oscarsceremony last year, Smith went onstage and struck Rock, a presenter, after the comedian made a joke about Smith’s wifeJada Pinkett Smith. Smith went on to win Best Actor forKing Richardlater that night, and he has since apologized to Rock and resigned from being a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The Academy also banned him from attending its events for 10 years.
Chris Rock; Will and Jada Pinkett Smith.Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty; David Livingston/Getty
Ahead of this year’s award show, Kimmel told PEOPLE thatRock “should be proud"of how he maintained his composure in the moment.
“I mean, to be slapped in the face and to stay that cool is something that Chris should be proud of,” he said. “Chris’s grandchildren, I hope, will still be proud of that when he’s dead and gone.”
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Kimmel also told PEOPLE that his preparation for hosting included running through bits and late-night idea brainstorms with his wifeMolly McNearney, who is an executive producer forthe Oscarsbroadcast. But, he said he’d still leave wiggle room for the unexpected.
“I like to go in 75 percent prepared and leave some room for improvisation and reacting to the show as it’s happening,” he said. “I’m going to give it 110 percent.”
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The Oscarsare airing live on ABC on Sunday, March 12, at 8 p.m. ET.
source: people.com
