Jimmy Kimmel mocks Al Pacino’s Best Picture Oscars 2024 flub
Say hello to my different presenting style.
Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel jokingly slammed Al Pacino’s presentation of the coveted Best Picture award while talking to the hosts of “Live With Kelly and Mark” backstage.
“I guess he’s never watched an awards show before,” Kimmel, 56, told Kelly Ripa, 53, and Mark Consuelos, 52, in a clip that aired on the couple’s Monday show. “It seems like everyone in America knows the rhythm of how it’s supposed to go, down to ‘And the Oscar goes to…’ but, uh, not Al.”
The “Scarface” actor — who was supposed to reunite with his co-star Michelle Pfeiffer, but she dropped out at the last minute — appeared during Sunday’s star-studded assembly to present the top honor … with his own twist.
Instead of building the tension and suspense by naming each of the 10 nominees — as every other presenter before him has — the “Godfather” star just blurted out the victor.
“This is the time for the last award of the evening, and it’s my honor to present it. Ten wonderful films were nominated, but only one will take the award for Best Picture,” Pacino stated while fumbling to open the envelope. “And, uh, I have to go to the envelope for that, and I will. Here it comes. And my eyes see ‘Oppenheimer.’ Yes. Yes.”
Pacino’s abrupt announcement took some by surprise inside LA’s Dolby Theatre.
The Post reached out to Pacino for comment.
Several critics were quick to react on social media, too.
“Wish Al would have read all of the nominees first. I was looking forward to seeing the sizzle reels, and a bit of tension,” one person posted on X (formerly Twitter).
“The downside of elderly legends giving out the biggest award,” stated a second person. “Pair them with a younger star to make sure they do what they are supposed to do or tape the announcement of the ten nominees. Disrespectful to not give them their due.”
“Didn’t anyone tell him he had to read the names of the nominated films before he opens the envelope,” a third user lambasted. “Was he drinking?”
Despite several negative reviews, others defended him.
“People think he forgot to say the nominees, but they did the same non-announcement for Best Song,” a user pointed out. “Perhaps they skip saying the nominees in both categories because each song was sung and each movie highlighted during the ceremony.”
“This always happens at the end of these awards shows especially when they have an 80-year-old presenting. You can’t blame them. Get over it,” another angry X user posted.
“Another old Hollywood legend hung out to dry at the end of the show,” a third person lamented.
Although Kimmel teased Pacino, a source claims to E! News that the actor’s abbreviated speech was a creative direction by production.
Christopher Nolan’s three-hour epic, which was nominated for 13 awards, took home the top prize, beating out “American Fiction,” “Barbie,” “Anatomy of a Fall,” “The Holdovers,” “Poor Things,” “The Zone of Interest,” “Killers of the Flower Moon,” “Past Lives” and “Maestro.”
The biopic also earned gold statues for Best Director (Nolan), Best Actor (Cillian Murphy), Best Supporting Actor (Robert Downey Jr.), Best Editing, Best Cinematography and Best Score.
