The Academy Awards can be described in a variety of ways. From gripping dramas to hilarious comedies, Hollywood’s talents never fail to impress. And of course, it was unavoidable that Jimmy Kimmel, the host of the night, would open the 2024 ceremony without making light of a few Hollywood stars.
And Kimmel’s monologue, in which he lambasted Robert Downey Jr.’s drug addiction history has both fans and critics talking. While some might view the jokes as a harmless jab, others are calling for a Will Smith ‘slap-gate’ in response to what they regard as a disrespectful and unwanted attack on the beloved actor.
Jimmy Kimmel’s Unwanted Attack on Robert Downey Jr.
Jimmy Kimmel poked fun at Robert Downey Jr.’s history of drug use when he opened the 96th Academy Awards on Sunday, March 10. When the former began the ceremony with a crude joke, Downey Jr., 58, who is nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Oppenheimer, looked stony-faced.
During his monologue, the 56-year-old host joked in an unflattering way about Oppenheimer and its numerous nominations (via US Weekly):
“Congratulations to Cillian [Murphy]’s co star Robert Downey Jr. This is the highest point of Robert Downey Jr.’s long and illustrious career. Well, one of the highest points.”
As co-star Emily Blunt sat behind the Iron Man star and appeared to soothe him by massaging his back, Downey Jr. immediately pointed at his nose. Consequently, Kimmel continued:
‘Was that too on the nose or a drug motion you made? But look at him, he’s so handsome, so talented, he’s won every award there is to win. Is that an acceptance speech in your pocket or do you just have a very rectangular p*nis?”
Even though Downey Jr. seemed like a good sport during Kimmel’s monologue, he had struggled with addiction since 1996. Kimmel further added:
“What a story, not even 20 years ago things weren’t going that great. He played the villain in a movie where Tim Allen turns into a dog, right? And if you ever decide to remake that film, I have just the guy to play Tim Allen. Messi [the dog from Anatomy of a Fall].”
Fans criticized Kimmel for those unwelcome quips about drug abuse, while RDJ looked serious as he stared into the camera, making the joke fail.
Social Media Erupts: Fans Call for Will Smith-Style Retaliation Against Jimmy Kimmel?
While some fans may have found it in poor taste, others were unable to refrain from laughing at the host’s boldness. Some are even demanding a repetation of Will Smith’s ‘slap-gate’ in retaliation for what they perceive to be a harsh and impolite attack on Robert Downey Jr. As a matter of fact, when it comes to grilling celebrities, no one is safe – not even Iron Man himself.
Let us look at some of the fans’ tweets:
Awful! The man had been sober for 20 years and he brings up his past. No class.
— Cathy McGee (@Mamaladymcgee) March 10, 2024
RDJ has been clean for two decades. People need to give up the drug jokes already.
— Beware of the Ides of March! (@cquiller1) March 10, 2024
Making fun of the drug issues of Robert Downey Jr. is actually pretty lame. I'm not surprised though, because Jimmy Kimmel has always sucked.#Oscars pic.twitter.com/LwsEhKwFr6
— Craig R. Brittain (@RealBrittain) March 10, 2024
Not pictured: RDJ slapping Jimmy Kimmel
— Super Attack-Mode Jesus (@Dropsy42) March 11, 2024
Robert Downey Jr if you want to Will Smith slap Jimmy Kimmel I don’t blame you
— Alex Muad’dib Coleman (@DarkOfTheMovie) March 10, 2024
Kimmel talked about how hard it is to choose just a few pop culture icons to honor on the big night before the ceremony. When Variety caught up with him a few weeks before the show, he was determined to secure the telecast:
“This is kind of the hardest part because this is when I have three times as much material as I need. I have to figure out what to cut and what to keep. That’s difficult because you do fall in love with jokes and then you hate to cut them. You know you have a good show when you’re cutting good jokes.”
Meanwhile, let us all take a seat back, unwind, and enjoy the show. Ultimately, the Oscars are a celebration of the magic of film and a way to recognize the amazing talent that comes to life on screen.
