The 97th Academy Awards can’t find anyone to host them. ABC made an offer to Jimmy Kimmel who has hosted four times, including the last two years. He said no.
According to a report in The Hollywood Reporter this was apparently something of a surprise to ABC. Kimmel is known for being amenable to hosting offers in the name of being a good partner, and he had already turned down ABC once this year when they offered him the Emmys to host.
Following the surprise snub, they apparently reached out to John Mulaney.
Mulaney has been on the shortlist since he hosted the Governors Awards earlier this year. His performance led to Vulture publishing a simp-piece they called Let John Mulaney Host Everything.
When asked in June about hosting the Oscars, again by The Hollywood Reporter, he did say he wouldn’t necessarily say no. However, he also insists he never plans anything more than three months in advance. Mulaney also turned them down.
The Oscars may be talked up as a prestigious opportunity and a high-profile gig, but it is also a several-month commitment to prep and rehearse. At the end of the day, you still end up delivering the safest and blandest material that the risk-averse academy can stomach. It is no surprise that Will Smith slapping somebody remains the most exciting and entertaining thing in Oscars history.
The search for a host continues, and we all know the Academy doesn’t have the balls to hire Ricky Gervais.