Jimmy Kimmeldefied his wifeMolly McNearneyto deliver one of the funniest moments at the2024 Oscarson Sunday night!
Kimmel, 56, explained in an interview withKelly Ripaand Mark Consuelos thataired on Mondaythat toward the end of the night, producers told him he had some time to kill and someone showed him a post that former President Donald Trump made onTruth Socialabout his hosting skills.
In the post, Trump, 77, called Kimmel’s opening monologue “less than average” and said he was “trying too hard.” He also called the show “boring.”
Kimmel told Ripa, 53, and Consuelos, 52, that someone tried to stop him, but didn’t tell them it was his wife.
Jimmy Kimmel reading Donald Trump’s post from his phone on stage at the 2024 Oscars.Kevin Winter/Getty
Kevin Winter/Getty
In an interview withVarietyMcNearney, who co-executive produced the awards telecast, revealed that she was the skeptical party.
Jimmy Kimmel, Molly McNearney and Donald Trump.Michael Tullberg/FilmMagic; Chip Somodevilla/Getty
Michael Tullberg/FilmMagic; Chip Somodevilla/Getty
“I will tell you, I’m really not proud of this, but I tried to talk Jimmy out of reading that,” she said. “I feel like my instincts are usually right, but I was totally off on that."
McNearney, 46, explained that she wasn’t in favor of giving Trump any airtime if she didn’t have to. She admitted that she also thought the joke was a “risk.”
Donald Trump.Chip Somodevilla/Getty
Chip Somodevilla/Getty
“I just wanted to make sure it ended well, and I didn’t want it to end on a sour note,” McNearney explained.
Kimmel assured his wife everything would be fine. “He had a glimmer in his eye, and he said, ‘I got this.’ He really did. This is where he shines,” she said.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
The joke was a hit and McNearney knew Kimmel was going to read the post, but that doesn’t mean the issue is settled in the Kimmel-McNearney household.
“I will tell you, I’m never going to win an argument in my household again!” McNearney joked.
source: people.com
