Jimmy Kimmel Reacts to Al Pacino's Unique Approach at the 2024 Oscars

Jimmy Kimmel Jokes That Al Pacino Never Watched Award Shows Before Oscars

Jimmy Kimmel. Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Jimmy Kimmel, the host of the Oscars, had some thoughts on how Al Pacino presented the award for Best Picture. At the 2024 Academy Awards on Sunday, March 10, Pacino, who is 83 years old, surprised everyone by appearing on stage to announce the final category.

It's time for the final award of the night, and I am thrilled to announce it. Out of ten amazing films, only one will win the Best Picture award," shared Pacino, a nine-time Oscar nominee and 1993's Best Actor winner, with the audience at the Dolby Theater. "Let me open the envelope to reveal the winner. And the winner is Oppenheimer. Yes, that's right."

Some viewers noticed that Pacino did not mention all the nominated films. After Pacino announced Oppenheimer as the winner, there was a brief pause, which led to a delay in applause as everyone was anticipating the traditional "And the Oscar goes to" phrase.

After the Oscars, Jimmy Kimmel, who is 56 years old, shared his thoughts on the unforgettable moment during a segment on Live With Kelly and Mark. Kimmel jokingly remarked, "I guess he’s never watched an awards show before." He added, "It seems like everyone in America knows the rhythm of how it’s supposed to go, down to ‘And the Oscar goes to…’ but not Al."

Jimmy Kimmel Jokes That Al Pacino Never Watched Award Shows Before Oscars

Al Pacino. Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images

Fans were not only talking about Pacino's appearance during the night. Kimmel faced criticism for some of his comments in the opening monologue.

During the show, Kimmel made a remark about Robert Downey Jr.'s career, calling it one of the highest points. Downey, who has been open about his past struggles with addiction and has been sober for over 20 years, playfully tapped his nose when the camera showed him.

Kimmel teased Downey about his awards and joked about his acceptance speech. Downey gestured for him to finish the joke. Kimmel playfully commented on Downey's looks and talent. "Is that an acceptance speech or do you just have a very rectangular penis?"

Jimmy Kimmel Jokes That Al Pacino Never Watched Award Shows Before Oscars

Al Pacino was seen speaking onstage at the 96th Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on March 10, 2024. Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Following Kimmel's mention of Downey Jr.'s past struggles with substance abuse before his Best Supporting Actor win, many viewers took to social media to express their disapproval. The monologue stirred further controversy as clips from various nominated movies were shown on the screen.

"That was all the parts of Poor Things that we could show on TV," Kimmel mentioned, referring to the many sex scenes in the movie. The film starred Emma Stone and was also executive produced by her.

Mark Ruffalo, who was also in the movie, found the joke amusing, while Stone, who is 35 years old, rolled her eyes and then turned to her husband, Dave McCary, to share something. This moment went viral, leading viewers to become amateur lip readers as they attempted to figure out what Stone may have said about Kimmel.

Fans initially thought Stone said, “Oh my God.” However, others have since questioned whether Stone actually called Kimmel “a prick” for his dig.

Editor's P/S:

The 2024 Oscars ceremony presented several memorable moments, including the surprising appearance of Al Pacino as the presenter for Best Picture. Pacino's unorthodox approach, omitting the traditional "And the Oscar goes to" phrase, left some viewers perplexed. Jimmy Kimmel's subsequent remarks on Pacino's performance sparked discussions, with some finding it amusing while others questioned its appropriateness.

Furthermore, Kimmel's opening monologue generated mixed reactions. His remarks about Robert Downey Jr.'s past struggles with addiction and a joke referencing Emma Stone's film, "Poor Things," stirred controversy. Stone's apparent eye-roll and subsequent conversation with her husband became a subject of debate, as viewers speculated whether she had called Kimmel a derogatory term. These incidents underscore the delicate balance that awards show hosts must strike in delivering entertainment without overstepping boundaries of respect and sensitivity. and distracting from the achievements of the nominees. Nonetheless, the article underscores the enduring fascination with the Academy Awards and the impact that both the awards themselves and the surrounding commentary can have on the public discourse.