Jimmy Kimmel Says Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce Jokes 'Not Off-Limits' at Oscars but 'Probably Played Out'

Mar. 15, 2025

Jimmy Kimmel hosting the 2023 Oscars; Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift in October 2023.Photo:ABC/Getty; Gotham/GC Images

ABC/Getty; Gotham/GC Images

Oscars hostJimmy Kimmelisn’t swearing offTaylor Swiftjokes altogether.

The comedian, 56, teased what’s to come in his opening monologue at the upcomingAcademy Awards, set for this Sunday night, his fourth time hosting.

CNNaskedKimmel if he planned on bringing upSwift, 34, and her NFL star boyfriend Travis Kelcein his list of jokes following their buzzy appearances leading up to andat the 2024 Super Bowl.

Kimmel said punchlines about the couple are “not off limits, but probably played out” at this point. (Indeed, the couple were name-checked in host monologues at thePeople’s Choice Awards,Golden Globesand elsewhere.)

Jimmy Kimmel on Jan. 29, 2024.Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty

Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty

He added of poking fun at celebrities at the glitzy award show, “It’s not that easy. It depends on the person because some people are more sensitive than others. God help you if I know you. Like, if you’ve been to my house, you’re in trouble on Oscar night.”

In a recent interview with PEOPLE ahead of the big night, Kimmel said he could relate to Kelce, 34, in one way.

“Ifeel like the Kansas City Chiefs going intothis Oscars,” he said. “Like you’ve been there before, but it doesn’t make a difference. It’s still exciting and you still have to do well.”

He added, “We work very hard to make the show as good as it possibly can be,” and creditedhis wife, Molly McNearney, returning as the show’s co-executive producer, and the rest of their well-oiled creative team.

“The big challenge always is trying to keep the show moving, so it’s a matter of picking your spots and popping in when you’re needed and staying out of the picture when you’re not,” explained Kimmel.

Jimmy Kimmel and wife Molly McNearney on Jan. 15, 2024.David Fisher/Shutterstock

David Fisher/Shutterstock

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Oppenheimeris the most-nominated film of the year, and other top honorees includeBarbie, Poor ThingsandKillers of the Flower Moon, among others.

The late-night host added, “We’ve got some really great movies and great actors and performers. It’s tricky, but I think we have it figured out as much as you can.”

source: people.com