Oscar Winner Emma Stone Clearly Hated Jimmy Kimmel's Joke - And So Did Twitter
Oscar host Jimmy Kimmel's comments about "Poor Things" drew the ire of Emma Stone. The moment occurred during the montage for the best picture nominees, with the comedian quipping that it featured the only scenes from the movie they were allowed to show. This was a reference to "Poor Things'" controversial sex scenes, and the film's lead star seemed visibly annoyed at the host.
Just a guess, but Emma Stone didn't seem to appreciate Jimmy Kimmel's jokes about Poor Things. #Oscar2024 pic.twitter.com/Pceb5yKdMe
— Brun oisif (@menuon_neunl) March 10, 2024
After Kimmel made the joke, the camera cut to an unhappy Stone shaking her head and appearing to bad-mouth the late-night comedian. The camera didn't pick up her words, but it looked like she called him a "p***k." However, the host's comments didn't sour Stone's overall experience, as she was emotional and elated after winning the best actress award later on.
Given that Emma Stone has defended the sex scenes in "Poor Things," it's understandable why she wasn't a fan of Kimmel's joke. She wasn't in the minority either, as plenty of social media users took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to criticize Kimmel's performance.
Viewers were quick to roast Jimmy Kimmel after Poor Things joke
Donald Trump wasn't the only person who used social media to lambast Jimmy Kimmel's jokes at this year's Academy Awards. Some viewers felt that his comments about "Poor Things" overlooked what the film is really about, and his attempt at humor didn't land the way he probably intended it to. As @emmellas explained, it's a movie about a woman who rejects the status quo and fights for equality, and the sex scenes are just one part of the story.
Other users were more blunt in criticizing Kimmel, with some wishing he didn't host the ceremony. "I don't blame Emma Stone at all. I think Jimmy Kimmel should be sacrificed in her place," @thefemiurge wrote.
Of course, other users found Stone's reaction entertaining, though they seemingly agreed with the sentiment that Kimmel's jokes were questionable. "I really enjoyed that shot of Emma Stone being completely over Jimmy Kimmel's shtick," @WeWhoWalkHere added.
The comedian's wisecrack about the sex scenes in "Poor Things" wasn't his only attempt at humor to fall flat.
Some of Jimmy Kimmel's other Oscar jokes didn't land
Jimmy Kimmel's Oscar monologue featured a cringy joke about Robert Downey Jr. He mentioned that Downey's best supporting actor nomination for "Oppenheimer" was "one of the highest points" of the actor's career — a reference to Downey's past drug addictions. Many found the bit in poor taste and criticized Kimmel for dragging it out. In a review of the 2024 Oscars broadcast for THR, Daniel Fienberg noted it "seemed to go on forever." IndieWire writer Ben Travers believes it would have been more productive to allude to Downey's many successes, saying Kimmel "should've known better" while crediting Downey for being "a good sport."
Another joke that rubbed people the wrong way was Kimmel's comment — directed toward "The Zone of Interest" star Sandra Hüller — that Holocaust dramas are rom-coms in Germany. In the Chicago Sun-Times, Richard Roeper said it "fluttered and fell to the ground awkwardly." Those watching at home agree with the critic. X (formerly known as Twitter) user @ebduvalll considers the line to be a "[s]wing and a miss!"
Kimmel's jabs at the infamous box office bomb "Madame Web" didn't have many fans. USA Today critic Kelly Lawler said they were "half-hearted" and Roeper noted the joke was "met with a tepid response." Considering the fate of "Madame Web" was sealed roughly a month before the Oscars ceremony, poking fun at the flop is a played-out bit.
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