Why did Jimmy Kimmel say no to hosting the 2025 Oscars? Explained 

Jimmy Kimmel declared recently that he would not be hosting the 2025 Oscars, ending his run of consecutively hosting the event. The host of the late-night talk show clarified his choice in an open discussion on the Politickin' podcast run by Gavin Newsom, Marshawn Lynch and Doug Hendrickson.

For his sharp wit and engaging personality on late-night television, Jimmy has been so much adored. He hosted the Oscars in 2017 and 2018, then again in 2023 and 2024, for a total of four years.

Juggling the two major obligations proved too difficult and therefore, he has resigned from the esteemed post for the next year. Kimmel indicated that the pressures of organizing the Oscars and his continuous obligations on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, became intolerable.

It's true that he had well-received performances. But Kimmel has admitted that juggling his talk show and the Oscars has been difficult. He is stepping back to focus on his primary role and ensure his Jimmy Kimmel Live! the team is not overworked.

Jimmy stated to the podcast’s hosts:

“I did two years [2017 and 2018], it went well. I did another two years [2023 and 2024], it went well. I figured I’d take a little break.”

He emphasized that while it is an honor to host the Academy Awards, the preparation and execution require significant time and energy, often leading to delays in other commitments.

His decision was influenced by the realization that his talk show suffered as a result, and the demands of both roles were simply too much to manage simultaneously.

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Jimmy Kimmel explains why he backed off from hosting the 2025 Oscars

On the Politickin podcast, Jimmy Kimmel made it apparent that juggling his nightly talk show with hosting the Oscars was taxing for both him and his staff.

The Oscars is a huge occasion that requires months of planning, which frequently takes him away from his main duty of hosting "Jimmy Kimmel Live!". Kimmel admitted that his inability to balance the two responsibilities effectively was a key factor in his decision to step down.

Kimmel said:

“I’m not good at balancing. I’m really not. It’s not one of my strengths. I’m all in when it comes to something like the Oscars. I think about it in the morning and at night, and when I have ideas I want to work on them, and then my nightly show seems like a nuisance."

He further mentioned:

"We have all our writers from the show working on the Oscars, so it distracts them. It’s fun to do, and it feels good when it went well, but, for me, just was too much, to do it three years in a row.”

The impact on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

The primary reason behind Kimmel's decision was the impact on his talk show. Preparing for the Oscars meant that much of his attention was diverted away from Jimmy Kimmel Live!

This diversion led to delays and a noticeable dip in the quality of his nightly show, something Kimmel was unwilling to compromise on. The host pointed out that his writers were stretched too thin, having to focus on both the Oscars and the daily content for his talk show, which resulted in a less smooth-running operation.

Personal challenges and the need for a break

Another significant factor that Jimmy Kimmel highlighted was the personal challenge of balancing two such demanding roles. He admitted that juggling his nightly show and Oscar preparations was exhausting. Soon, Jimmy realized that taking a break was essential to avoiding burnout and maintaining a work-life balance.

Jimmy declined to host the 2025 Oscars to maintain his quality. He wants to step back to give his team space and refocus on producing great Jimmy Kimmel Live! content.

Although it is a privilege, hosting the Oscars is a tough job that needs complete dedication. Kimmel's decision to put his talk show and personal health ahead of hosting the Oscars for one more year is evidence of his maturity and professionalism.