Jimmy Kimmel and Ryan Gosling as Ken.Photo:Randy Holmes/ABC via Getty; Jaap Buitendijk/Warner Bros.
Randy Holmes/ABC via Getty; Jaap Buitendijk/Warner Bros.
When it comes to his place in the hypothetical pantheon of Kens in Barbieland,Jimmy Kimmel’s aspirations are hardly outsized.
In fact, they’re barely Kenough.
“Which Ken am I? Oh, Rapidly Balding Ken,” he tells PEOPLE in this week’s issue.
“No, not a Beach Ken. Just Rapidly Balding Ken,” he deadpans.
Fortunately, Kimmel has a regular job, and on March 10, the biggest gig in Hollywood when he’llhost the Oscars for the fourth time(the96th Academy Awardswill air on ABC, at 7 pm EST).
“We work very hard to make the show as good as it possibly can be,” says the Emmy-winning comedian, 56, who is as enthusiastic about hosting as he ever was.
“I feel like theKansas City Chiefsgoing into this Oscars—like you’ve been there before, but it doesn’t make a difference. It’s still exciting, and you still have to do well!”
Kimmel also credits his wife,Molly McNearney, returning as the show’s co-executive producer, and the rest of their well-oiled creative team, for what he anticipates will be a “fun” night.
Jimmy Kimmel.Disney/Mark Seliger
Disney/Mark Seliger
Barbie, which has eightOscar nominations, including one for Best Picture and a Best Supporting Actor nod for Gosling, should serve up plenty of material fodder during the show. According to sources,Gosling will sing “I’m Just Ken”, one of two songs nominated from the film.
“We have some goodBarbiestuff in store,” teases Kimmel. “We’re hopingBarbiehas the same effect on the Oscars thatTaylor Swift had on the Super Bowl.”
Until then, and right up until show time, Kimmel will hone his monologue and spin timely material into comedy gold. “We have a fun show planned,” he says. “We’ve got some really great movies and great actors and performers… It’s tricky, but I think we have it as figured out as much as you can!”
For more from Jimmy Kimmel, pick up this week’s issue ofPEOPLE, on newsstands Friday.
source: people.com
