Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel is known for his sharp wit and no-holds-barred approach to comedy. And this year’s Oscars were no exception as Kimmel took the stage to present an award and deliver a scathing monologue that left the audience in stitches.
But it wasn’t just the A-list celebrities in attendance who were the target of Kimmel’s jokes. The late-night host also took aim at CBS, the network that airs his rival Stephen Colbert’s show, for canceling it during the Paramount-Skydance merger.
Kimmel wasted no time in addressing the elephant in the room, saying, “I have to say, it’s a little awkward for me to be here tonight. I mean, I’m on ABC, which is home to the number one late-night show, and yet, I’m presenting at the Oscars. It’s almost like CBS canceled Stephen Colbert’s show just to spite me.”
The audience erupted in laughter and applause as Kimmel continued to poke fun at the situation, saying, “But hey, at least I still have a job. Sorry, Stephen.”
Kimmel’s jabs at CBS didn’t stop there. He also took a dig at the network’s decision to air a reboot of the classic show “Murphy Brown,” saying, “CBS has been making some interesting choices lately. They brought back ‘Murphy Brown,’ a show about a tough, no-nonsense journalist who’s determined to take on the establishment. I can’t imagine why they would want to bring that back.”
But Kimmel’s most memorable moment of the night came when he turned his attention to First Lady Melania Trump. In a hilarious skit, Kimmel pretended to fast-forward to the year 2026 and showed a clip of Melania Trump hosting the Oscars. The audience couldn’t contain their laughter as Kimmel, in a blonde wig and Melania’s signature accent, joked about her husband’s presidency.
But it wasn’t just Melania who was the target of Kimmel’s jokes. He also took a swipe at President Trump, saying, “I know we’re all wondering what the world will be like in 2026. Will President Trump still be in office? Will Twitter still exist? Will the Kardashians finally run out of things to post about? Only time will tell.”
Kimmel’s monologue was met with a mix of laughter and applause, with many praising him for his bold and unapologetic humor. But it also sparked a conversation about the cancelation of Colbert’s show and the current state of late-night television.
Some argued that the cancelation was a strategic move by CBS to eliminate competition, while others defended the network’s decision, saying that Colbert’s show was simply not performing well. But regardless of the reason, Kimmel’s jokes shed light on the cutthroat nature of the entertainment industry and the constant battle for ratings.
In the end, Kimmel’s monologue served as a reminder that comedy is a powerful tool for addressing important issues and holding those in power accountable. And while it may have been a night of glitz and glamour, Kimmel’s jokes added a much-needed dose of honesty and humor to the Oscars.
In the words of Kimmel himself, “Let’s not forget, we’re all here tonight because of the love of movies. And the love of movies will always shine brighter than any network rivalry.”