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- Jimmy Kimmel calls out CBS over free speech at the Oscars (businessinsider.com)
Hollywood’s biggest night got a few extra jabs this past Sunday as host Jimmy Kimmel took aim at CBS and even former President Donald Trump during the Oscars telecast. While the stars were out to celebrate cinematic achievements, Kimmel made sure to sprinkle in some sharp-witted commentary that had the audience – and probably a few network executives – buzzing.
Kimmel didn’t hold back, particularly when presenting the nominees for Best Documentary Short Film. “As you know, there are some countries whose leaders don’t support free speech.
I’m not at liberty to say which. Let’s just leave it at North Korea and CBS,” he quipped, drawing a clear comparison that raised eyebrows.
This remark seemed to reference several recent controversies for the network, including the cancellation of “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” and a pulled “60 Minutes” segment last year about migrant deportations.
He continued his humorous broadsides, even subtly poking fun at Amazon MGM’s film “Melania,” which reportedly cost a hefty sum but underperformed at the box office. Kimmel joked about documentaries that “call out injustice” versus those where “you walk around the White House trying on shoes.”
After “All the Empty Rooms,” a poignant film about the aftermath of U.S. school shootings, took home the award for Best Documentary Short, Kimmel returned to present Best Documentary Feature. Without naming names, he offered another playful dig, “Oh, man, is he going to be mad his wife wasn’t nominated for this?”
The award ultimately went to “Mr. Nobody Against Putin,” a documentary chronicling a Russian teacher’s journey as a whistleblower against Kremlin propaganda.
Kimmel himself has faced his own moments in the free speech spotlight, having been briefly taken off-air last September over comments regarding Charlie Kirk’s passing. It seems even the host isn’t immune to the very debates he so readily highlights.
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- Jimmy Kimmel calls out CBS over free speech at the Oscars (businessinsider.com)