Jimmy Kimmel to Host the 2017 Oscars

And this year’s title of Oscars host goes to … Jimmy Kimmel! The late night show talent clearly proved his worth after a job well done at the Emmys back in September, and is set to host the award show of all awards shows on Sunday, Feb. 26, as the 89th Academy Awards air on ABC.

The Hollywood Reporter broke the news, reporting that Kimmel’s hosting gig is soon “expected to be announced by producers Michael De Luca and Jennifer Todd, who came aboard to produce the high-profile event just last month.” Kimmel, who hosts his own late night show, Jimmy Kimmel Live! on ABC, is somewhat of a vet when it comes to awards shows, as he’s hosted the Emmy’s twice before, as well as the American Music Awards five times.

But, this is his first Oscars gig and we’re expecting big things out of the funnyman, including, of course, a show-stopping opening skit.

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According to Entertainment Weekly, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences fostered a deal with ABC back in August to extend their Oscars broadcast agreement until 2028. It previously expired in 2020, giving the partnership another eight years to grow. Thanks to the deal, ABC is able to have more influence on the awards show, helping their own late night frontman, Kimmel, to host the upcoming telecast.

This is one of the first big Oscar announcements before the Feb. 26 awards, and we can’t wait to hear what Kimmel has to say about his new hosting gig, plus, of course, the list of nominees, which will be announced on Tuesday, Jan. 24.