Oscars viewers slam Jimmy Kimmel over Robert Downey Jr ‘joke’ during opening speech

As anyone who has ever sat through an entire showing of the annual Academy Awards will know, the presenter's opening speech can either make or break the big-name festivities.

After all, it's one of the most eagerly-anticipated hosting gigs of the year, with only the biggest names in film, television, music, and fashion flocking down to celebrate.

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So, when it was revealed that charming talk-show presenter Jimmy Kimmel would be fronting the silver-screen soiree for the first time, it may well have seemed as though the television veteran would have the audience in the palm of his hands.

In spite of initial optimism, however, it appears as though the pressure of hosting may have gotten to the 56-year-old star, as his opening speech has seemingly rubbed a few people up the wrong way...

Congratulating Oppenheimer star Robert Downey Jr, Jimmy appeared to be taking aim at the actor's former substance abuse issues.

"This is the highest point in Robert Downey Jr's long and illustrious career," he jibed, leaving a pause as if to emphasise his former drug problems. "Well, one of the highest points."

Despite the tongue in cheek jibe, the blockbuster star appeared to take the joke in jest, and was even seen tapping the end of his nose, as if to go along with it.

ABC

Viewers at home, however, have ben left less than impressed with the host referencing such a sensitive topic within minutes of the show airing.

"Someone tell Jimmy Kimmel that Robert Downey Jr drug jokes are no longer funny (not that they ever really were tbh).. RDJ looks so uncomfortable," one penned on social media.

"Jimmy Kimmel lost my interest when he starting making drug jokes about Robert Downey Jr.... and then he starting making jokes about Bradley Cooper dating his mom.....this Oscars Opening Monologue is a hard no for me," another went on.

Speaking previously about his huge hosting gig, he admitted: "I think that pre-tapes are under appreciated by the home and studio audience.

"I feel like what people appreciate the most are really strong jokes. And popping in when you need to be on stage and not being on stage when you don’t need to be. Just keeping the show moving in general."

ABC

Referencing the content that 'Barbenheimer' has given him this year, he went on: "It’s hard to make jokes about things people don’t know, so having movies where most of the room has seen them helps a lot.

"In a lot of ways, it’s why Trump jokes work so well. You don’t have to explain him at all before you can get right to the punch line."

As well as presenter Jimmy, however, all eyes have also been on the cast of Barbie tonight, after both lead actress Margot Robbie and director Greta Gerwig were sensationally snubbed from this year’s nominations.

Especially since it was announced that frontman Ryan Gosling would be performing his rendition of ‘I’m Just Ken’ in front of the live studio audience.

While joking about Gerwig's lack of directing nod, Kimmel quipped: "I know you’re clapping, but you’re the ones who didn’t vote for her."

But it’s not just the on-stage action that viewers have been awaiting – it’s the red-carpet shenanigans.

TikTok star Liza Koshy has already been snapped taking a cringe-worthy fall during her entrance, and High School Musical actress Vanessa Hudgens shocked fans by announcing her first ever pregnancy.

And by the looks of things, the drama of that transpires amid this blockbuster extravaganza year upon year has only just started, and we have may more memorable moments to come...