Jimmy Kimmel is being criticized for his comments about Robert Blake before the In Memoriam segment’s montage at the Oscars 2023. The comedian took multiple jabs during his opening act, including those at previous years’ Will Smith slap and Tom Cruise’s absence at the Academy Awards.
Later in the course of his hosting, the comedian made a comment about the late Robert Blake being included in the In Memoriam segment of the show. This caused controversy among audiences, who accused him of being insensitive. Here’s a look at the details of what took place.
Jimmy Kimmel’s joke about Robert Blake at Oscars 2023 draws criticism
I think it is outrageous that The Academy Awards – In Memoriam segment did not include Robert Blake. I also think Jimmy Kimmel’s joke was way out of line😡😡😡😡😡
— terry Banks (@terrybanks9704) March 13, 2023
Jimmy Kimmel turned the 95th Academy Awards stage his home pitch and didn’t shy away from joking about controversial topics, including the recent death of actor Robert Blake.
In between presenting prestigious awards at the ceremony, the 55-year-old late-night show host talked about introducing a new segment in the show. He described it as “an interactive part” of the award function.
The host asked everybody to open their phones and urged the audiences at home to join, announcing that “it’s time to vote.” This event occurred right before the In Memoriam montage, which pays tribute to all the respectable celebrities the industry lost in the past year.
Further, Kimmel said, “If you think Robert Blake should be part of the In Memoriam montage, text ‘GIMME-A-Blake’ to the number on your screen,” referencing the unfortunate death of the television and film actor on Thursday.
He asked everyone to send the votes to any number, including their mothers if preferable. “Message and data charges may apply,” he adds drawing laughter from the present audience. However, netizens found the joke’s supposed wordplay with ‘Gimme a break’ insensitive and accused the comedian of being disrespectful.
The joke was criticized even further as the In Memoriam montage didn’t feature Robert Blake. The disappointed audience took to Twitter with Jimmy Kimmel and the Oscars 2023 hashtag, calling the joke, classless, tasteless, and out of line.
You had me until the Robert Blake..joke??? why just why…it wasn't even funny and was very un-classy
— vleit..sassy🇨🇦 (@veleitch2) March 13, 2023
My thoughts exactly. It was cruel and senseless. You wait until he dies to disagree with a jury of 12 people who heard all the evidence that you didn't hear? Or was it something else? What? You can dislike someone without mocking them during a solemn part of a public ceremony.
— Janie Jones (@JanieJones1230) March 13, 2023
I'm sure joking about the memoriam didn't give you room to think about the families who lost a loved one, but you should've given it some thought. The tasteless slap jokes, Robert Blake joke, showed us YOU. #Oscars2023
— Miss Me (@LadyLoriL) March 13, 2023
I'm sure joking about the memoriam didn't give you room to think about the families who lost a loved one, but you should've given it some thought. The tasteless slap jokes, Robert Blake joke, showed us YOU. #Oscars2023
— Miss Me (@LadyLoriL) March 13, 2023
https://twitter.com/laura711hender/status/1635113696375767040
Many netizens also expressed their disappointment saying, the show was going great until the Robert Blake joke. Netizens were especially appreciative of how Kimmel handled last year’s Will Smith slap.
Jimmy Kimmel’s opening at the 95th Oscars award
Jimmy Kimmel joked about controversial topics with some light mocking during his opening monologue at the Oscars. One of the topics that audiences were most looking forward to was Will Smith and they didn’t need to wait long as Kimmel opened the show with its mention.
The comedian said, “We want you to have fun. We want you to feel safe. And most importantly, we want me to feel safe.” Further relaying that if anyone in attendance commits violence then the Academy’s crisis team will award them the best actor and let them give an 18-minute long speech.
During the monologue, he also mentioned Tom Cruise and James Cameron, who skipped this year’s event. “Tom Cruise and James Cameron didn’t show up. The two guys who insisted we should go to the theater didn’t come to the theater.”
He further made a joke about James Cameron’s three-hour-long Avatar 2 by saying that one can know a show’s too lengthy when Cameron cannot sit through it.
The host of the 95th Academy Awards also joked about Steven Spielberg and Nicole Kidman. Additionally, he referenced many pop culture events of 2022, including the viral video of Harry Styles where he seemed to be spitting on his co-actor Chris Pine. Kimmel asked Malala Yousafzai’s opinion regarding the matter which she received splendidly saying, “I only speak about peace.”
What are your opinions about Jimmy Kimmel’s jokes tonight at Oscars 2023? let us know in the comment below and follow Spiel Times for more entertainment coverage from all around the globe.
