Hosts of different “Late Night” shows, including Jimmy Kimmel and Conan O’Brien, mulled over the surprises and snubs of the 90th Academy Awards nominations.
Kimmel, who will host this year’s Oscars ceremony, kicked off “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” by joking that “Boo 2: A Medea Halloween” had been announced as this year’s tenth best picture nominee.
“A lot of people didn’t think that would make it and they were wrong,” he said.
On The Shape of Water getting 13 nominations, Kimmel said: “I like that movie and finally, Hollywood is recognizing a monster other than Harvey Weinstein.”
He was referring to the sexual misconduct allegations involving the producer that emerged last year, and joked that the fantasy film had been nominated for “Outstanding Achievement in Fish Penis Design.”
Kimmel also acknowledged the historic nominations of Greta Gerwig, who became the fifth woman and Jordan Peele, who became the fifth African American, to be nominated for Best Director.
“And Kobe Bryant is now the tallest person ever nominated for animated short. He got nominated for his short film ‘Dear Basketball’. Which could be the closest we get to see the Lakers win something this year,” he quipped.
Bryant was the short film’s writer and actor.
Kimmel also pointed out that the blockbuster “Wonder Woman”, actor Tom Hanks and director Steven Spielberg were snubbed.
“The Daily Show” host Trevor Noah opened his show by praising the diversity in the nominations this year.
“This year’s Oscars are so diverse, they are re-nominating ‘La La Land’ just so it can have its win taken away again,” he said.