Jimmy Kimmel discussed his decision to turn down hosting the 2025 Oscars during a recent appearance on the “Politickin’” podcast with Gavin Newsom, Marshawn Lynch, and Doug Hendrickson. Kimmel, who has hosted the Oscars four times previously (2017, 2018, 2023, and 2024), enjoys the role but admitted it demands a heavy toll on his focus for “Jimmy Kimmel Live.”
“I just decided I didn’t want to deal with that this year,” Kimmel explained. “It was just too much last year. You end up pushing everything off until after the Oscars, and then you have to catch up on everything you promised to do after the show. I did it for two years in a row before, and it went well, but I figured it was time for a break.”
He added, “I’m not good at balancing. I’m really not. I’m all in when it comes to something like the Oscars, and it can overshadow my nightly show. Our writers end up working on the Oscars instead of the show, which can be a distraction. It’s fun and rewarding when it goes well, but doing it three years in a row was too much for me.”
Variety reported in late July that Kimmel had declined an offer to host the 2025 Oscars, and comedian John Mulaney also turned down the role. Kimmel currently ties with Whoopi Goldberg and Jack Lemmon for fourth place in most Oscar hosting duties, behind Johnny Carson (5), Billy Crystal (9), and Bob Hope (19).
Kimmel noted that while there are many good candidates for the role, “most of them don’t want to do it.” He described the job as demanding but acknowledged that it’s not necessarily thankless, though it can be challenging.
Currently on summer hiatus from “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” the show has featured guest hosts such as Kathryn Hahn and Kumail Nanjiani.
