Jimmy Kimmel Says Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce Jokes 'Not Off-Limits' at Oscars but 'Probably Played Out' (original) (raw)

The comedian, hosting the Oscars for the fourth time, teased his opening monologue for Sunday night

Published on March 8, 2024 11:25AM EST

Jimmy Kimmel hosting the 2023 Oscars; Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift in October 2023. Photo:

ABC/Getty; Gotham/GC Images

Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel isn't swearing off Taylor Swift jokes altogether.

The comedian, 56, teased what's to come in his opening monologue at the upcoming Academy Awards, set for this Sunday night, his fourth time hosting.

CNN asked Kimmel if he planned on bringing up Swift, 34, and her NFL star boyfriend Travis Kelce in his list of jokes following their buzzy appearances leading up to and at the 2024 Super Bowl.

Kimmel said punchlines about the couple are "not off limits, but probably played out" at this point. (Indeed, the couple were name-checked in host monologues at the People's Choice Awards, Golden Globes and elsewhere.)

Jimmy Kimmel on Jan. 29, 2024.

Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty

He added of poking fun at celebrities at the glitzy award show, "It’s not that easy. It depends on the person because some people are more sensitive than others. God help you if I know you. Like, if you’ve been to my house, you’re in trouble on Oscar night."

In a recent interview with PEOPLE ahead of the big night, Kimmel said he could relate to Kelce, 34, in one way.

"I feel like the Kansas City Chiefs going into this Oscars," he said. "Like you’ve been there before, but it doesn’t make a difference. It’s still exciting and you still have to do well."

He added, "We work very hard to make the show as good as it possibly can be," and credited his wife, Molly McNearney, returning as the show's co-executive producer, and the rest of their well-oiled creative team.

"The big challenge always is trying to keep the show moving, so it's a matter of picking your spots and popping in when you're needed and staying out of the picture when you're not," explained Kimmel.

Jimmy Kimmel and wife Molly McNearney on Jan. 15, 2024.

David Fisher/Shutterstock

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Oppenheimer is the most-nominated film of the year, and other top honorees include Barbie, Poor Things and Killers of the Flower Moon, among others.

The late-night host added, "We’ve got some really great movies and great actors and performers. It's tricky, but I think we have it figured out as much as you can."

The 96th Oscars will air live on ABC Sunday at 7 p.m. ET from the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.