March 4 (UPI) — Returning Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel was quick to bring up the jaw-dropping mistake that led to “La La Land” being announced as Best Picture instead of rightful winner “Moonlight” last year.
One of the accountants who tabulated the votes handed off the wrong envelope to awards presenters Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty at the end of the 2017 broadcast on ABC.
“This year, when you hear your name called, don’t get up right away. Give us a minute. We don’t want another thing. What happened last year was unfortunate,” Kimmel told the crowd at the Dolby Theatre at Sunday’s gala. “Last year, about a week before the show, the producers asked me if I wanted to do some comedy with the accountants and I said, ‘No, I don’t want to do comedy with the accountants.’ So, then the accountants went ahead and did comedy on their own. And I have to hand it to them, it was hilarious, but it won’t happen again.”
Kimmel went on to say he was assured the accountants would focus on the show and delivering the right envelope this year.
“Just out of curiosity, though, what was your focus the other 89 years? I’m hopeful things will go smoothly tonight,” the comedian said, joking about how well-respected the Academy Awards or Oscars are within the entertainment industry.
