Jimmy Kimmel and Aaron Rodgers.Photo:Randy Holmes/ABC via Getty; Megan Briggs/Getty

Jimmy Kimmel Likely Won’t Name-Check Aaron Rodgers in Oscars Monologue, Says Athlete Has to Reach Out to Him

Randy Holmes/ABC via Getty; Megan Briggs/Getty

The 2024Academy Awardsare coming up this Sunday, and returning hostJimmy Kimmelis previewing what film fans can expect in his opening monologue.

Back in January, Kimmel denied the claims onX(formerly Twitter) anddemanded an apologyfrom the NFL star, 40, after Rodgers alleged that Kimmel would be named incourt documents connected to the Epstein case.

Two months later, as Sunday’s big ceremony nears, Kimmel told CNN it isn’t likely that he’ll make a joke about Rodgers.

Jimmy Kimmel hosting the 95th Academy Awards on March 12, 2023.Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Host Jimmy Kimmel speaks onstage during the 95th Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on March 12, 2023 in Hollywood, California.

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Kimmel also said he will “probably not” have the one-time Super Bowl champion onJimmy Kimmel Live!in the foreseeable future.

“The way I look at it, the next step is for Aaron Rodgers to reach out to me — not the other way around," he said. “So, I don’t see that happening.”

He added, “Listen, we have some major differences in the way we think.”

Jimmy Kimmel at the premiere of ‘The Greatest Night in Pop’ on Jan. 29, 2024.Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty

Jimmy Kimmel at the premiere of “The Greatest Night In Pop” held at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on January 29, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.

Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty

The late-night host posted onXat the time, “Dear Aa–hole: for the record, I’ve not met, flown with, visited, or had any contact whatsoever with Epstein, nor will you find my name on any ‘list’ other than the clearly-phony nonsense that soft-brained wackos like yourself can’t seem to distinguish from reality. Your reckless words put my family in danger. Keep it up and we will debate the facts further in court.”

Later onJimmy Kimmel Live!, he further denied the allegations and suggested Rodgers should have the same consideration and fact-checking skills that his team of writers has when crafting jokes about public-facing figures.

Jimmy Kimmel at the 95th Academy Awards on Mar. 12, 2023.ABC/Getty

The 95th Oscars® will air live from the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on ABC and broadcast outlets worldwide on Sunday, March 12, 2023, at 8 p.m.

ABC/Getty

Kimmel also admitted that he apologizes if he gets something wrong. He added, “Which is what Aaron Rodgers should do. Which is what a decent person would do, but I bet he won’t. If he does, you know what I’ll do? I’ll accept his apology and move on, but he probably won’t do that. My guess is that he won’t apologize. I hope I’m wrong.”

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The 96th annual Academy Awards will air live Sunday at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on ABC.

source: people.com