Comedian to host 2017 Oscars

joan

December 6, 2016 6:52 AM

Jimmy Kimmel will be hosting the 2017 Oscar Awards, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences have announced.

Jimmy Kimmel to host 2017 Oscars

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences have announced that

The comedian will host the 89th Oscars show which will be broadcast live by ABC on February 26, 2016.

This would mark the comedian’s first time hosting Hollywood’s most illustrious awards ceremony. Michael De Luca and Jennifer Todd are producing the prestigious event.

The 2016 which was hosted by Chris Rock in February, attracted 34.3 million total viewers; an 11-year low for the Oscar-cast.

Speaking on Jimmy as a host, Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs said, “Jimmy has the qualities of all the great hosts. He knows who he is, he knows the audience and he knows how to captain a ship with many moving parts. We're thrilled he has agreed to host our show.”

Following the 2016 #OscarsSoWhite backlash, the Academy voted undefined with a goal of doubling the diverse membership by 2020.

On Wednesday, June 29, 2016, the Academy invited 683 new members, with 46% being female and 41% people of color.

The 89th Academy Awards will hold on Sunday, February 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood and Highland Center in Hollywood.

joan