Returning to his role as Oscars host, Jimmy Kimmel kicked off the 90th Academy Awards Sunday night (March 4), appropriately, referencing the infamous best picture flub from last year’s ceremony.
“This year, when you hear your name called, don’t get up right away,” Kimmel joked as the camera panned to La La Land star Emma Stone.
After the laughs were had, Kimmel began to address Hollywood’s current controversy surrounding sexual harassment in the industry. Before referencing Harvey Weinstein, Kimmel quipped about the “statue of limitations” that is the iconic Oscar statue, because he keeps his hands where you can see them, never says a bad word, and “most importantly, has no penis.”
Going from poking fun at Weinstein to condemning him, Kimmel stated that what happened with Weinstein and other men accused of sexual harassment was “long overdue.”
“We can’t let bad behavior slide anymore,” he declared. “The world is watching us, we need to set an example. And the truth is, if we are successful here, if we work together to stop sexual harassment, women will only have to deal with harassment all the time at every other place they go.”
Kimmel went on to mention all of the movements that have ignited within Hollywood and the entertainment industry as a whole such as MeToo, Times Up and Never Again, asserting that all of this year’s nominated films are simply adding to the positive changes taking place — but, of course, adding a little lighthearted humor at the end.
“What they’re doing is important, things are changing for the better they’re making sure of that,” he said. “This is a night for positivity, and our plan is to shine a light on a group of outstanding and inspiring films, each of every one of which got crushed by Black Panther this weekend.”
Watch a clip of Kimmel’s opening monologue below.