In a highly anticipated announcement, late-night comedian Jimmy Kimmel will once again grace the stage as host of the Academy Awards, marking his fourth time helming the prestigious ceremony. 

Kimmel’s return comes amidst a resurgence in viewership for Hollywood’s biggest awards show, a testament to his ability to navigate the delicate balance between humor and respect that the Oscars demand.

“I always dreamed of hosting the Oscars exactly four times,” Kimmel quipped in a joint statement released by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and broadcaster ABC. 

His return was met with resounding enthusiasm from Oscars executive producers Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan, who praised him as “one of the all-time great Oscars hosts” and lauded his “perfect blend of humanity and humor.”

The 96th Academy Awards, scheduled for March 10 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, will mark Kimmel’s fourth time at the helm. 

His previous hosting stints in 2017 and 2018 were met with critical acclaim, despite the infamous mix-up that saw “La La Land” mistakenly announced as best picture in 2017.

Kimmel’s selection as host for the 2023 ceremony was seen as a strategic move following the previous year’s controversial incident involving Will Smith and Chris Rock. His presence brought a sense of stability and reassurance to a ceremony yearning for normalcy.

The 2023 Oscars, characterized by Kimmel’s signature wit and lighthearted touch, witnessed a surge in viewership, with 18.7 million viewers tuning in to watch the sci-fi epic “Everything Everywhere All at Once” sweep the awards.