Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel has been slammed on social media after making jokes about Irish people that some say contained an "offensive ethnic stereotype".
The American comedian kicked off last night's Academy Awards with jokes about the Irish starting fights on stage — referencing the Will Smith slapping of Chris Rock at the 2022 ceremony while poking fun at the Irish talent nominated.
The 55-year-old opened the Oscars ceremony with footage of him in a cockpit of a fighter jet flown by Top Gun: Maverick star Tom Cruise, with the Hollywood actor demanding Kimmel eject before he “parachuted” on stage. But it was his references to stereotypes of supposed Irish violence that brought a bigger reaction from viewers in Dublin and beyond.
In citing the Smith and Rock incident at last year’s ceremony, he told the audience: “It was some year for diversity and inclusion. We have nominees from every corner of Dublin. Five Irish actors are nominated tonight which means the odds of another fight on stage just went way up.”
The joke was met with jeers at the Irish Film industry’s Oscar's watch party at the Irish Film Institute in Dublin, reports the Irish Star. Jonathan Victory tweeted: "This Irish joke did not go down well in Dublin".
READ MORE: Saturday Night Live's 'offensive' Irish Oscars skit leaves Twitter users fuming
Twitter user Frankie called the treatment of the Irish at the Oscars "unfair":
And Annie Rooney wrote: "Thank u Colin Farrell for making being Irish sexy and cool. One day the irish will be respected."
Brennan Souhrada was more forthright, asking the Academy if they thought oppression was funny:
@ANN_Lynzee said on Twitter: Colin Farrell just told Jimmy Kimmel that his Irish joke is offensive on live TV." @gosulli added: "Jimmy Kimmel just made a joke that given the amount of Irish actors nominated, "the odds of another fight on stage are high"! Honest to God, would they ever give it a REST it's so lazy, old and just damn offensive now!"
@Learyg said the joke about Irish people fighting was an "offensive ethnic stereotype."
Roision Sheridan said: "Sad to hear such an out of date stereotype joke aimed at us Irish."
Later in the show Kimmel conducted a quick interview in the audience with actor Colin Farrell, who used the opportunity to call out an "appalling" skit on the US show Saturday Night Live, in which Farrell and Brendan Gleeson’s Irish accents were mocked.
Fans of the actor praised Farrell's conduct in Los Angeles, with one saying on Twitter: "Colin Farrell being asked a lazy stupid question about Banshees and answering it by dissing SNL ??? Literally no choice but to love this man.’
Another tweeted: "Fair play Colin Farrell for calling Kimmel out by referencing that appalling SNL skit."
During the ceremony, Kimmel was joined on stage by an “emotional support donkey” bearing the same name as the four-legged star of The Banshees of Inisherin. The miniature donkey was the break-out star of Martin McDonagh’s dark comedy, which was nominated for a host of awards at the 95th Oscars on Sunday.
“She’s one of the stars of The Banshees Of Inisherin,” Kimmel said. “Not only is she an actor, she’s a certified emotional support donkey – or at least that’s what we told the airline to get her on the plane from Ireland.
“So if you’re feeling upset or if you win or you’re anxious or you maybe just love mules, feel free to come up and give her a hug.”
Kimmel pointed out her “friend” Farrell, watching on in the audience, as well as Brendan Gleeson, who gave the donkey an enthusiastic wave. He then said: “Let’s get you back on that Spirit Airlines flight now.”
The Banshees Of Inisherin and other Irish talent faced stiff competition from awards season juggernaut Everything Everywhere All At Once, who beat Gleeson and Barry Keoghan as Ke Huy Quan picked up the Oscar for best actor in a supporting role at the Dolby Theatre.
However, there were uplifting moments for Irish people, especially when the entire audience sang Happy Birthday to An Irish Goodbye star James Martin, when he was on stage collecting the film's best live action short film award.
These were Kimmel's other opening monologue highlights.
Will Smith slap-gate
“We know this is a special night for you, we want you to have fun, we want you to feel safe, and most importantly, we want me to feel safe, so we have strict policies in place. If anyone in this theatre commits an act of violence at any point during the show, you will be awarded the Oscar for best actor… and be allowed to give a 19-minute long speech.
“But seriously, the Academy have a crisis team in place, if anything unpredictable or violent happens during the ceremony, just do what you did last year, nothing. Maybe even give the assailant a hug.
“And if any of you get mad and decide you want to come up here and get ‘Jiggy Wit It’, it’s not going to be easy, (there are) a few of my friends you are going to have to get through first.
“You have to get through the heavyweight champ Adonis Creed (Michael B Jordan) before you get to me, you have to get through Michelle Yeoh before you get to me, you are going to have to beat the Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal) before you get to me, you’re going to have to tangle with Spider Man (Andrew Garfield), you’re going to have to tackle the Fabelman (Steven Spielberg), and my right hand man Guillermo, the other Guillermo, not del Toro. I know he’s cute but if you so much as wave at me, that sweet little man will beat the Lydia Tar out of you.
“There will be no nonsense tonight, we have no time for shenanigans, this is a celebration of everyone here.”
Diversity
Kimmel also spoke about Hollywood stars Danielle Deadwyler and Viola Davis being snubbed of Oscar nominations at this year’s awards.
He said: “While we are on the subject of diversity, I want to say especially to those of you watching at home, there are a number of excellent films and performances that were not nominated tonight, including Till and The Woman King which are both based on true stories with great performances from Danielle Deadwyler and Viola Davis, very worthy of your time if you haven’t seen them.”
Top Gun: Maverick
Kimmel said: “The movie that saved the movies. Everyone loved Top Gun, everybody. Tom Cruise with his shirt off in that beach football scene, L Ron (Hubbard) hubba hubba. You know what I’m saying. You know Tom and James Cameron (Avatar director) didn’t show up tonight, two guys who insisted we go to the theatre, didn’t come to the theatre.
“So if you’re hoping to get a look at Tom Cruise, he is not here.”
Pointing to filmmaker Spielberg, Kimmel added: “Or maybe he is here, maybe that’s Tom Cruise right there wearing a mission impossible mask. There’s only one way to find out for sure.”
Elvis
Kimmel also directed a joke at best actor nominee Austin Butler who was in the audience. He said: “As a first time nominee he was so convincing as Elvis, still is.
“You are so talented, I know Elvis would have loved your performance, in fact according to my online Reddit page, he did.”
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