Jimmy Kimmel to Host the Oscars; "This Is Not a Prank," He Says

Late night TV host and comedian Jimmy Kimmel has been named the host of the 89th Academy Awards. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' announcement today comes just about three months before the awards show airs the evening of Sunday, February 26, 2017.

Last year's host was another comedian, Chris Rock. Writing on Twitter today, Kimmel confirmed him getting the job is no joke, and that he'll be wearing clothes from Al's Formal Wear, apparently.

Kimmel hosts Jimmy Kimmel Live on ABC, which is also the network that has aired the Oscars since 1976. According to The Hollywood Reporter, when the Academy and ABC inked a contract extension through 2028, there was an implicit understanding that Kimmel would get the hosting gig.

This won't be Kimmel's first time hosting an awards show, as he also did that job for this year's Emmys. Only nine people in history have ever hosted both shows, and Kimmel will be the first to do so for the same season.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, "very few" candidates outside of Kimmel were considered for Oscars hosting duties this year, though no one else is named in the report.

Oscar nominees are historically announced in January, so it won't be much longer until we find out which movies are in the running. For its part, Sony Pictures said in October that its R-rated animated movie Sausage Party should be considered for Best Animated Feature because it's "bold, original, and risky."

Kimmel and actor Matt Damon have a longrunning fake feud, so we can only hope this pops up again at the Oscars.

Jimmy Kimmel Live tapes at the Hollywood Masonic Temple, which is literally right across the street from the Dolby Theatre, the site of the Oscars.