Jimmy Kimmel joins Top Gun: Maverick stars Jon Hamm and Charles Parnell in the first Oscars 2023 trailer.
In the run-up to the 95th Academy Awards, which will air live on ABC on March 12, Kimmel, who is hosting the event for the third time, presented the first commercial of the awards ceremony during Jimmy Kimmel Live! On Monday. The footage parodies Maverick, who is nominated for six Academy Awards, with Kimmel addressing film characters Beau “Cyclone” Simpson (Hamm) and Solomon “Warlock” Bates (Parnell) in a moment reminiscent of the film’s swapping with Tom Cruise’s Pete “Maverick.” ‘ Mitchell recalled.
“I have to admit, I didn’t expect to be asked to host again,” says Kimmel in the trailer. This prompts Hamm to clarify: “We’ve asked a lot of people before you.”
Hamm goes on to list celebrities who reportedly received an invitation to host the Oscars before Kimmel got the gig: “Steve Martin, Steve Carell, Steve Buscemi, Steve Austin, Steve Seagal, Steve Urkel, Steve from Blue’s Clues . It’s just the Steves.”
The video pokes fun at last year’s infamous moment when Will Smith slapped presenter Chris Rock at the ceremony co-hosted by Regina Hall, Amy Schumer and Wanda Sykes.
“ABC tasked us with finding a host who would be unwavering and unflappable,” explains Parnell. Kimmel replies, “That’s good because I can’t be hit — I cry a lot.”
Explaining his plan for the evening, Kimmel appears to be referring to the 2017 ceremony he hosted, notorious for wrongly winning La La Land for best picture before the Moonlight team received their rightful award.
“Then I’ll lead a standing ovation for someone older, and if I can do it, I’ve only got four or five hours until we hopefully put the best shot on the right movie,” Kimmel jokes in the spot. The footage also features an appearance by nine-time Oscar presenter Billy Crystal.
The 2023 Academy Awards will air live on ABC on Sunday, March 12.