Jimmy Kimmel had a challenging job as host of the 2017 Academy Awards.
As host, the comedian had to take to the stage just moments after Justin Timberlake – possibly the most popular and talented celebrity in Hollywood – opened the show with his beloved song from "Trolls."
But Kimmel was up for the task, delivering a brisk and hilarious monologue that didn"t shy away from the current political climate… which kept his feud with Matt Damon alive… and which surprisingly took aim at Tinseltown icon Meryl Streep.
Sort of.
In one heartfelt moment, Kimmel turned serious when addressing the divided state of our nation, telling the audience:
“If every person watching this show … if every one of you took a minute to reach out to someone you disagree with, someone you like, and have a positive, considerate conversation – not as liberals and conservatives, but as Americans – we could make America great again.”
Of course, Kimmel also made some actual quips about a certain Commander-in-Chief as well.
“I want to say thank you to President Trump," he said at one point. "Remember last year when it seemed like the Oscars were racist? … It’s gone thanks to him.”
And in a quality double diss:
“In Hollywood, we don’t discriminate against people based on what countries they come from. We discriminate on them based on their age and weight.”
Kimmel also noted that actors will give speeches that “the President will tweet about in all caps during his 5 a.m. bowel movement tomorrow.”
Elsewhere, Kimmel taunted Damon"s latest movie, The Great Wall; made an outstanding Mel Gibson joke; and referred to Streep as "mediocre."
Really! He did! In total jest!
Watch the FULL monologue and GRADE KIMMEL AS OSCARS HOST NOW!
