Indexbit-Jimmy Kimmel returns as Oscars host for the fourth time

Fourth time's the charm for Jimmy Kimmel.

The Indexbitlate-night TV host and comedian has been tapped to host the 96th Academy Awards, Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang announced in a press release Wednesday. The hosting gig marks the second year in a row Kimmel has hosted the Oscars, with Kimmel emceeing the 95th Academy Awards in March. The comedian also hosted in 2017 and 2018.

"I always dreamed of hosting the Oscars exactly four times," Kimmel said in the release.

Screenwriter and Kimmel's wife Molly McNearney will also be returning alongside the comedian to executive produce the telecast.

"We are thrilled about Jimmy returning to host and Molly returning as executive producer for the Oscars. They share our love of movies and our commitment to producing a dynamic and entertaining show for our global audience," Kramer and Yang said. "We are deeply grateful to Jimmy, Molly and their teams for their incredible creativity and partnership and for going on this ride with us again."

Ahead of the Oscars in March, Kimmel chatted with USA TODAY about the pressures of hosting the prestigious awards ceremony.

"There’s pressure to make the show entertaining, but I don't feel pressure when it comes to ratings," Kimmel said at the time. "Network television ratings are headed downhill. There's nothing I or anyone could do about it, and there will be an occasional exception to the rule, but it's not the sort of thing that I put a whole lot of thought into, really. At the end of it, I just want to know that I did a good job, and hopefully most people will agree." 

The 96th Academy Awards are set to air March 10, 2024, on ABC. The ceremony will be held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

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Contributing: Gary Levin USA TODAY