Jimmy Kimmel has cut close to the bone with a cutting joke taking aim at last year's infamous Oscars slap ahead of his debut tomorrow.
Will Smith will not be at the ceremony this weekend after being banned after slapping Chris Rock on stage in 2022.
Ahead of the event, Jimmy was asked if he was preparing himself for anything similar to happen this time.
He joked: "Well, I have been studying the martial arts since they asked me to host the show, so I think that’s what they’re referring to. The truth of the matter is I am not ready for anything. I’m ready for some things, but anything that involves violence or me having to run, I’m very not ready."
He added to USA Today : "They had some kind of crisis management meeting where I guess they dream up scenarios that we might face, but no one has filled me on in on any of that. So if there is a crisis, I’ll be the only one left in the dark.
" Not only am I not a member of the team, my welfare doesn’t seem to be of particular concern. I don’t know what they’re worried about, but hopefully I won’t get slapped."
Will Smith slapped Chris Rock on stage last year after he spoke about Jada Pinkett-Smith's hair.
Will has slowly made a return to Hollywood, winning an NAACP Image Awards last month.
Meanwhile, Chris addressed the controversial incident in his Netflix stand-up, Chris Rock: Selective Outrage.
Shortly after slapping Chris, Will won his first Oscar of his career and took home Best Actor for his role in King Richard.
However, he was then banned from attending the star-studded event for 10 years.
The Academy released a statement sating that he will not be able to go to any events hosted by them.
The statement read: "The Board has decided, for a period of 10 years from April 8, 2022, Mr. Smith shall not be permitted to attend any Academy events or programs, in person or virtually, including but not limited to the Academy Awards."
