2018 Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel did not shy from addressing the most important topics of the night: sexual harassment in Hollywood and gender and racial inequality.
In his opening monologue, Kimmel kicked off the show by discussing Me Too, Time’s Up, Harvey Weinstein and how Hollywood has taken steps to try to change its culture, ABC News reports.
“The Academy, as you know, took lengths to expel Harvey Weinstein from their ranks,” he said. “What happened with Harvey and what’s happening all over is long overdue … if we can work together to stop sexual harassment in the workplace.”
“If we can do that, women will only have to deal with that every other place they go,” Kimmel joked.
Dozens of women accused Weinstein last year of sexual misconduct, including harassment and rape, PEOPLE Magazine reports.
Kimmel said that he wanted to keep the night positive, and focus on the successes in the industry, including celebrating best director nominees Greta Gerwig and Jordan Peele, ABC News reports.
“Ceilings have been shattered,” Kimmel said, mentioning Gerwig and Peele. “Our plan is to shine a light on a group of outstanding and inspiring films, each and every one of which got crushed by “Black Panther” this weekend.”
.@jimmykimmel: “Our plan is to shine a light on a group of outstanding and inspiring films, each and every one of which got crushed by Black Panther this weekend.” https://t.co/gsOqwwjJSe #Oscars pic.twitter.com/7IQCln4DjA
— Good Morning America (@GMA) March 5, 2018
The Oscars host also noted Gerwig’s nomination for best director was monumental considering she is a woman, but mentioned the fact there is still a long way to go to bring about more equality for women, ABC News reports.
“Only 11 percent of movies are directed by women,” Kimmel added, and also mentioned that equal pay still has yet to be achieved.
.@jimmykimmel: “Only 11% of movies are directed by women. That is nuts.” https://t.co/gsOqwwjJSe #Oscars pic.twitter.com/GJlE9WEbzd
— Good Morning America (@GMA) March 5, 2018
Kimmel mentioned how he was glad to see Black Panther and Wonder Woman become such successful films.
“I remember a time when studios didn’t believe that a woman or a minority” could headline a superhero film, Kimmel said. “And I remember that time because it was March of last year.”
.@jimmykimmel: “I remember a time when the major studios didn’t believe a woman or a minority could open a super hero movie—and the reason I remember that time is because it was March of last year.” https://t.co/gsOqwwjJSe #Oscars pic.twitter.com/2A7shs9vnH
— Good Morning America (@GMA) March 5, 2018
The host also joked about the best picture mishap from last year’s Oscars ceremony, when “La La Land” as best picture instead of the actual winner, “Moonlight,” ABC News reports.
“This year when you hear your named called, don’t get up right away,” he joked.
Kimmel also told the nominees that if they were to win and give a speech to make sure to speak from the heart and to use that moment and their platform to talk about something that is important to them. But, according to ABC News, he also told the audience that if they kept their speeches short, they could win a special prize: a jet ski.
“Why waste precious time thanking your mom when you could take her” on the ride of her life on the jet ski, Kimmel told the audience.