**Los Angeles, CA** — In an announcement that felt more like a well-timed punchline than a corporate press release, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences confirmed, just 30 minutes ago, that Jimmy Kimmel will return to helm the 97th Academy Awards in 2025.
The decision, relayed from the Academy’s Beverly Hills headquarters, marks the fourth time the veteran late-night host will take on Hollywood’s biggest night. It comes as a strategic, if safe, choice for an institution eager to stabilize its flagship broadcast after a year of industry turmoil and historically low ratings.
Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang released a joint statement praising Kimmel’s "comedy, heart, and understanding of the cultural moment.” They highlighted his "masterful” handling of the 2023 ceremony, which saw a significant ratings rebound and was praised for its streamlined, celebratory tone following the chaotic 2022 incident.
"Jimmy is the consummate entertainer,” Kramer stated. "He respects the legacy of the Oscars while knowing how to engage a modern audience. In a fractured media landscape, that’s an invaluable skill.”
For Kimmel, the gig represents a return to a stage he has famously had a love-hate relationship with. After his first hosting stint in 2017 (which ended with the infamous *Moonlight*/*La La Land* Best Picture mix-up), he joked he’d "never do it again.” He returned in 2018, and again in 2023, each time delivering a performance that balanced sharp industry satire with a genuine affection for movies.
Reaction from the industry has been swift and largely positive. Publicists, who often dread an unpredictable host, are breathing a sigh of relief. "You know what you’re getting with Jimmy,” said one top-tier studio publicist, speaking on background. "He’s a professional, he’s funny without being cruel, and he gets the room. After the last few years, ‘predictable and competent’ sounds like a dream.”
On social media, the response has been more mixed, reflecting the Oscars’ perpetual struggle to please everyone. Some applaud the choice: "Finally, someone who knows how to tell a joke and read a room!” tweeted one user. Others expressed fatigue: "Another white, male late-night host? What year is this?” Meanwhile, film fans are already speculating about potential opening monologue targets, with the past year’s industry strikes, streaming upheavals, and the upcoming election providing ample material.
The confirmation ends months of speculation that had swirled around potential hosts, including rumors of a dual-hosting scenario with past winners or a pivot to a major star like Margot Robbie or Chris Rock. In the end, the Academy opted for the known quantity.
Kimmel’s first challenge will be navigating an awards season still finding its footing post-strikes, in a polarized political climate, and against the backdrop of a transformed theatrical business. His signature blend of populist humor and insider knowledge will be tested as he aims to celebrate cinema while drawing a crowd that extends far beyond the Dolby Theatre.
As of thirty minutes ago, the direction for Hollywood’s biggest night is set. The question now is whether Jimmy Kimmel, once again, can deliver a punchline worthy of the moment—and an audience willing to stay tuned.
*The 97th Academy Awards are scheduled to air live on ABC on Sunday, March 2, 2025.*
