Jimmy Kimmel has sparked quite a reaction from Oscars viewers following his opening monologue at Sunday’s ceremony.
On a night when Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer dominated the nominations, actor Robert Downey Jr was hoping to do his bit for the haul after being nominated for Best Supporting Actor.
But before his category was announced, host Jimmy Kimmel took to the stage to kick off the ceremony with a monologue full of quips and jibes.
After he issued a stern defence of Barbie’s Greta Gerwig and lauded the resolution of the actors’ strikes earlier this year, he turned to Downey Jr.
“Robert Downey Jr… this is the highest point of Robert Downey Jr’s long and illustrious career,” Kimmel began.
Kimmel began to stall as chuckles rippled in the auditorium before he added: “Well, one of the highest points.”
The late-night talk show host was referring to Downey Jr’s history with addiction earlier in his career which led to several run-ins with the law – he says he’s been sober since 2003.
As a result, Downey Jr clearly didn’t find the digs amusing as he motioned to his nose to suggest Kimmel’s quips were too blatant.
Addressing Downey Jr’s action, Kimmel kept the joke going as he continued: “Was that too on the nose or was that a drug motion you made?”
Laughter rippled through the venue but Downey Jr remained steely-faced.
Oscars 2024: Robert Downey Jr was nominated for Best Supporting Actor
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Kimmel wasn’t done with Downey Jr there, however, as he had another joke up his sleeve.
“But look at this guy, so handsome, so talented, he’s won every award there is to win,” Kimmel continued. “Is that an acceptance speech in your pocket or do you just have a very rectangular penis?”
Clearly perturbed by Kimmel’s humour, Downey Jr didn’t respond and after a few seconds of tension, he shrugged.
Kimmel soon moved on but those watching at home were less than impressed with Kimmel bringing up the contentious subject with Downey Jr when he clearly looked uncomfortable.
Taking to X, one fan fumed: “#Oscars begins. Facetious talk show host Jimmy Kimmel manages to offend Robert Downey Jr in the opening monologue! Downey politely ‘grinned’ & non-jokingly signed to move on… An extended gag about his drug addiction that ended nearly 25 years ago…?! Jog on, Jimmy.”
Jimmy Kimmel: Oscars host’s joke about Robert Downey Jr was met with a mixed reaction
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A second added: “Absolutely horrendous opening monologue by Jimmy Kimmel.. Especially the part about Robert Downey Jr… That was really a sensitive topic for RDJ and Kimmel kept pushing. #Oscars #Oscars2024 #Jimmykimmel.”
While a third said: “Making fun of the drug issues of Robert Downey Jr. is actually pretty lame. I’m not surprised though, because Jimmy Kimmel has always sucked. #Oscars.”
“Terrible jokes about Christopher Nolan & Robert Downey Jr by Jimmy Kimmel. Yikes #Oscars,” a fourth weighed in.
Before a fifth commented: “2024 and Jimmy Kimmel bringing Robert Downey jr addiction during his opening monologue and trying to make a joke about it. So unnecessary… WTF #Oscars.”
There was some support for Kimmel, however, including one viewer who penned: “Jimmy was ok. Solid. Downey was not into his bit, not one moment of it #oscars.” (sic)
Source Agencies
