One Question with Jimmy Kimmel

We go host-to-host with the MC for the 2023 Oscars

Neil Patrick Harris is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Wondercade. In his spare time he also acts — fairly well, too, as his Tony and Emmy Awards can attest.

April 3, 2023 1:01 am

Hosting the Academy Awards is a behemoth. I have to admit, when I took it up 8 years ago, I was quite nervous. After all, you’re cracking jokes, singing, dancing, seamlessly facilitating a mega event with a million moving pieces in front of the biggest stars in the galaxy, with an audience of tens of millions around the world tuning in…all of it LIVE! Needless to say, I have a tremendous amount of respect for everyone who’s part of the show. But my friend Jimmy Kimmel knows that all too well: this is his third Oscars rodeo. Jimmy’s an all-around hysterical, wonderful human being and I know he’ll do a bang-up job yet again. I was delighted to talk with him about what we can expect from this year’s telecast. Please enjoy this “One Question With…” Wondercade interview.

Neil Patrick Harris: Jimmy. Congrats on hosting the Oscars for a remarkable third time. We all know the Oscars come at the end of the long gauntlet of awards season, showcasing similar performances and films throughout. How do you plan to keep it fresh and exciting for viewers?

Jimmy Kimmel: Oh, shit. Was I supposed to make it fresh and exciting? No one said anything about that. Dammit. At this point, I can’t promise fresh and exciting. You’ll have to settle for peculiar and unsettling.

NPH: Quick follow-up: Have you considered an elaborate dance number where you and the nominees sing and dance your way into viewers’ hearts?

JK: Have you been spying on me trying on outfits again? I’ve asked you not to do that.

NPH: Oops. Sorry ‘bout that. Also, even quicker follow-up: I think you’d be great in such a number.

JK: Thank you, but stop. You’re scaring my stylists.

NPH: Side question: What is your pre-show ritual?

JK: People make such a big deal about animal sacrifice. But IT WORKS.

NPH: Last and super exclusive friend-to-friend question: Possible to let us in on a sneak-peek, highly exciting moment we can expect to see when tuning in on March 12th?

JK: Yes. [Kimmel whispers something to NPH. Inaudible. NPH gasps. “Really?” he asks, incredulous. “Really,” Kimmel affirms, then takes off his shirt and dives out a fourth-story window.]