ABC is said to have made offers to Jimmy Kimmel and John Mulaney, both of whom passed on the opportunity, as first reported by Puck News. Fortunately for the Academy and its host network, there’s still plenty of time, with the Oscars not slated to air until Sunday, March 2.

The first outreach had gone to Kimmel, its late night host, who’s already emceed the Academy Awards four times, including the past two years. (Ironically, his statement upon accepting the offer in 2023 read: “I always dreamed of hosting the Oscars exactly four times.”) Nevertheless, he was the obvious choice, in large part because his last foray was widely praised and because he’s already part of the Disney family. But Kimmel ultimately said no, as he reportedly did hosting this year’s Emmy awards, which will also be carried on ABC.



And while Mulaney addressed the possibly more recently, telling THR in June that he “wouldn’t necessarily say no”; in the end, he decided to pass for this year. (Don’t bother asking about the year after, since he insists he doesn’t plan more three months in advance.) Though hosting the Oscars is a prestigious opportunity and still a major platform, it’s also a massive, months-long and often thankless undertaking. Plus, Mulaney would have had to give up other opportunities, including another likely (and hugely lucrative) stand-up tour.