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Jimmy Kimmel has opened the 90th annual Academy Awards by telling winners to pause a beat before coming up to the stage.
Kimmel's joke was a reference to last year's Best Picture fiasco, when presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway announced the wrong winner. He also poked fun at accounting firm PwC, who were responsible for the error.
Beatty and Dunaway are expected to return this year to have another shot at presenting the award.
Kimmel said he turned down a skit on the accountants last year and the mistaken reading of La La Land was a result of the accountants trying to do comedy instead.
The late-night host also referenced the sexual harassment scandal that has roiled Hollywood, mentioning disgraced film mogul Harvey Weinstein by name and saying he deserved to be expelled from the academy most of all.
"Here's how clueless Hollywood is about women. We made a movie called What Women Want and it starred Mel Gibson. Kind of all you need to know," Kimmel said.
"The Academy, as you're no doubt aware, took action last year to expel Harvey Weinstein from their ranks
"There were a lot of great nominees but Harvey deserved it the most.
"But what happened with Harvey and what's happening all over was long over due. We can't let bad behaviour slide any more.
"The world is watching us. We need to set an example. And the truth is if we are successful here, if we can work together to stop sexual harassment in the workplace. If we can do that, women will only have to deal with harassment all the time at every other place they go."
'A statue of limitations'
He also joked the Oscar statuette was the ideal embodiment of the moment — because it lacked a penis.
"Oscar is the most beloved and respected man in Hollywood, and there's a very good reason why," he said.
"Just look at him. Keeps his hands where you can see them.
"Never says a rude word. And most importantly, no penis at all. He is literally a statue of limitations.
"And that's the kind of man we need more of in this town."
#MeToo, Time's Up and Never Again
Kimmel also mentioned the #MeToo, Time's Up and Never Again movements, saying the audience could expect to hear more about them later in the show.
"Over the course of this evening, I hope you will listen to many brave and outspoken supporters of movements like #MeToo and Time's Up and Never Again, because what they are doing is important," he said.
"Things are changing for the better. They are making sure of that. It is positive change.
"This is a night for positivity. Our plan is a night for positivity. 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."
ABC/AP
Topics: academy-awards-oscars, film-movies, arts-and-entertainment, united-states
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