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Internet dubs Jimmy Kimmel 'painfully unfunny' for joke about porn addiction and Robert Downey Jr’s manhood

Jimmy Kimmel makes a really terrible joke about Robert Downey Jr.'s drug use at Oscars 2024, which infuriates the Marvel actor

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Jimmy Kimmel blasted Robert Downey Jr's masculinity and past drug usage in his explosive opening monologue at the 2024 Oscars on March 10. Viewers were compelled to resort to social media to criticize the host for making incredibly offensive remarks.

Jimmy has been hosting the Oscars since the Pleistocene period, so it's no surprise that his speech is as smooth as molasses. He understands just how tight the line is, in sharp contrast to Jo Koy's Golden Globes address a few months ago.

So far, Jimmy has made jokes about Christopher Nolan's porn addiction and RDJ's manhood ("Is that an acceptance speech in your pocket, or a very rectangular penis?"), but the audience has hardly groaned.

The emcee, who was returning for the fourth time, left the A-listers both smiling and wincing as he ascended the stage. RDJ, who is nominated for Best Supporting Actor in 'Oppenheimer,' was stony-faced as Jimmy cracked a vulgar joke at the outset of the program.

He stated, "And Robert Downey Jr., one of the highest points of his career. But Robert has been" - as RDJ pointed to his face, prompting Jimmy to ask, "Was that too on the nose or a drug motion you made?"

"But look at him; he's so handsome, so talented, he's won every award there is to win. Is that an acceptance speech in your pocket, or do you just have a very rectangular penis?"

The joke went flat since RDJ appeared gloomy while gazing into the camera.

He continued, "20 years ago, Robert played the villain, and correct me if I have this wrong, in a movie where Tim Allen turns into a dog, right? And if you ever decide to remake that film, I have just the guy to play Tim Allen."

On X, fans called out Jimmy saying, "Yo that RDJ old shit was below the belt." Another user chimed in, "Making those jokes after years of him staying sober, they're getting old Kimmel, 10 more seconds and he would've catched rdj hands."

One user noted, "I dunno about this RDJ bit. The first part was funny but it veered into cruel for me." A fourth user demanded, "jimmy kimmel painfully unfunny his jokes were just “hey rdj remember when you were A DRUG ADDICT” and now “hey bradley you bring your mom to the oscar’s. you wanna fuck her?” get him off the stage."  

One viewer requested, "can we truly stop joking about rdj's addiction from 20 years ago, he came out of it and has turned his whole life around and all we're doing at this point is adding to the stigma of addiction, leave people alone." While tagging ABC, one wrote, "@ABCNetwork @FCC so what was up with the p*rn addiction joke and RDJ p**is joke. A bit low brow for yall isn’t it."

Is Robert Downey Jr sober?

RDJ has been clean since July 2003, owing to the affection of his wife, Susan Levin, and his friends, especially Mel Gibson. Following a spell in the Corcoran Substance Abuse Treatment Facility on drug charges, he joined the TV series 'Ally McBeal', for which he received a Golden Globe Award.

He was dismissed from the show after facing drug charges in 2000 and 2001. He participated in a court-ordered drug treatment program and has remained sober since 2003.

RDJ would periodically stay sober while working on film projects, only to fall back into the abyss and go on days-long benders. By 1995, he had plummeted into the abyss of heroin and crack cocaine addiction, resulting in repeated arrests and stays in recovery centers.

How much does Jimmy Kimmel get paid to host the Oscars?

While host wages vary depending on who takes on the role, Jimmy has disclosed his past Oscars salary. During a 2022 episode of his late-night program, Jimmy and Wanda Sykes discussed the specifics of hosting the Oscars.

"I got paid $15,000 to host the Oscars. And there’s one of me! You guys will probably have to split that," Jimmy said to Wanda. "Which sounds like a lot for one night, but it's months of work leading up to it."

How many times has Jimmy Kimmel hosted the Oscars?

Jimmy has been a late-night TV regular since 2003. He returned to prime-time to host the 96th Academy Awards, his fourth time doing so.