Oscars 2018: Jimmy Kimmel takes a jibe at Harvey Weinstein and brings 2017’s Best Picture goof up in the spotlight

March 5, 2018 - 8:28 PM IST

The award season came to an end with the 90th Academy Awards held at Dolby Theater in Hollywood on March 4. Jimmy Kimmel returned this year as the host. He took a jibe at Harvey Weinstein to Mel Gibson, poked fun at President Donald Trump to Vice President Mike Pence.

Jimmy Kimmel started his monologue by welcoming everyone. He did not miss a chance to poke fun at the last year's Best Picture goof up between La La Land and Moonlight. He said, "And greetings from Hollywood to our viewers all around the world. Thank you for watching. Thank you very having me. It is a great honour to be invited back for a second time. It is a great honour to be here among so many talented women and men. Congratulations to all of you. You made it. We’re at the Oscars. Some of you will be going home tonight with an Academy Award. What could be better than that? Nothing, right?

Oscars 2018: Jimmy Kimmel takes a jibe at Harvey Weinstein and brings 2017’s Best Picture goof up in the spotlight

So — oh. I do want to mention. This year, when you hear your name called, don’t get up right away. Just give us a minute. We don’t want another thing. What happened last year was unfortunate, and I’ve not told this story in public because I wanted to save it for tonight. But here’s what happened. This is true. Last year, about a week before the show, the producers asked me if I wanted to do some comedy with the accountants. And I said, “No, I don’t want to do comedy with the accountants.” So, then the accountants went ahead and did comedy on their own."

Taking a jibe Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein and his years of sexual harassment, Jimmy Kimmel added, " The Academy, as you are no doubt aware, took action last year to expel Harvey Weinstein from their ranks. There were a lot of great nominees, but Harvey deserved it the most. And — oh, that’s nice. That’s very sweet. So, I’m sure he’ll appreciate that applause. The Academy kicked him out and after they did, I was curious, so, I looked it up. You know the only other person to be expelled from the Academy, ever, was a character actor named Carmine Caridi. In 2004, he was kicked out for sharing screeners. Carmine Caridi got the same punishment as Harvey Weinstein for giving his neighbour a copy of Seabiscuit on VHS.

But what happened with Harvey, and what’s happening all over, was long overdue. We can’t let bad behaviour slide anymore. The world is watching us. We need to set an example and the truth is if we are successful here, if we can work together to stop sexual harassment in the workplace, if we can do that, women will only have to deal with harassment all the time at every other place they go.

Over the course of this evening, I hope you will listen to many brave and outspoken supporters of movements like “Me Too” and “Time’s Up” and “Never Again,” because what they’re doing is important. Things are changing for the better. They’re making sure of that. It is a positive change."

As Black Panther is breaking records, Jimmy Kimmel revealed how the film is breaking all stereotypes. He said, "This is a night for positivity and our plan is to shine a light on a group of outstanding and inspiring films, each and every one of which got crushed by “Black Panther” this weekend. Which, that’s — that’s okay. The success of “Black Panther” is one of many positive stories this year. Especially for African-Americans and Bob Iger. “Black Panther” and “Wonder Woman” are — were massive hits, which is almost miraculous because I remember a time when the major studios didn’t believe a woman or a minority could open a superhero movie. And the reason I remember that time was because it was March of last year."

All in all, Jimmy Kimmel host brought his dry and sarcastic humour to the stage and did not disappoint at all.