ITV viewers were left fuming before the Oscars had even begun.
The start of the 2024 ceremony was delayed following its scheduled start time of 11pm. ITV host Jonathan Ross had to offer an apology to viewers as the live show was pushed back by five minutes. It comes as pro-Palestine protesters have gathered outside the ceremony. This has caused delays to stars accessing the red carpet, it has been reported.
Viewers took to social media as one asked: "Is the jonathan ross over now?" Another added: "Thinking that the Oscars were about to begin but having to cut back and endure another 5 minutes of Jonathan Ross." Someone else commented: "More padding from Jonathan Ross and dull chaos from ITV’s coverage of the #oscars This is already terrible."
A fourth wrote: "Jonathan Ross’s sigh of relief that the actual ceremony is on and no more filling / bingo cards / guessing games needed any more #Oscars." A viewer said: "Jonathan Ross waffling like mad rn."
The Oscars started at 11:05pm and opened with host Jimmy Kimmel superimposed into a scene from the box office juggernaut Barbie. In the bus stop scene from the film, Margot Robbie’s Barbie turns to him and says “You’re so beautiful”. Kimmel replies: “I know I was just thinking that, I haven’t eaten in three weeks.
Hugh Jackman urges Academy not to nominate Ryan Reynolds for best song“I’m so hungry, I have to go host the Oscars.” Appearing on stage, he said: “Thank you for that partial standing ovation.” He added: “And for making it on time, the show is starting an hour earlier this year but don’t worry, it will still start very, very late.” Kimmel also made passing reference to the strikes which ground Hollywood to a halt, referring to what “a hard year” it had been for the industry.
He also referenced Barbie director Greta Gerwig's snub from this year's awards. Kimmel told the audience that Barbie director Gerwig’s achievement was “taking a doll no-one loved any more” and turning the Mattel toy into a “feminist icon”. “Many people felt (Greta) should be nominated for best director”, he also said. Turning his attention to Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, he said: “If neither of you wins an Oscar tonight, I would like to say you won something much better, the genetic lottery.”
Kimmel addressed the recent strikes in Hollywood in his opening speech. Hesaid: “Not the directors, you guys folded immediately, but the rest of us said we will not accept a deal without protections on artificial intelligence. Actors can now go back to worrying about being replaced by younger more attractive people. As pretentious and superficial as it can be, this is a union town.” The host went on to invite a standing ovation for behind-the-scenes and below-the-line workers. Kimmel quipped: “I’m going to make sure this show goes really long tonight to make sure you get a ton of overtime.”