ABC Bouncing Barbara Walters for Jimmy Kimmel?

By Rob Shuter Posted Mar 9th 2010 02:04AM

If the world of entertainment is a young person's game and networks are doing everything they can to stay hip, relevant and watchable, well then there might be some big changes on the way for ABC's annual Oscars special. Jimmy Kimmel, thanks to the success of his hilarious post-show stunts, might be the new go-to face for Oscar night. Scoop on Jimmy, plus word that 'Precious' Gabby is being told to lose weight ... after the jump!

Jimmy Kimmel to Replace Walters on Oscar Special

ABC executives are looking very closely at Jimmy Kimmel to fill Barbara Walters' shoes for hosting its annual Oscar Special.

"Jimmy is a rising star at ABC, and with his hilarious post-Oscar special already huge with the younger demographic everyone wants to reach," a friend of Jimmy tells me. "It makes perfect sense for ABC to want to replace Barbara with funny Jimmy."

Jimmy's post-Oscar show was indeed hilarious, so I don't see any reason why he shouldn't be just as good before the ceremony starts. However, sources at ABC tell me it's not a done deal yet.

So Jimmy, you have time to practice getting your guests to cry before you fill Babs' Jimmy Choo's.

'Precious' Gabby Told to Lose Weight?

Gabby Sidibe is one of Hollywood's rising stars after being nominated for best actress along with Meryl Streep and Sandra Bullock at this year's Academy Awards. However, several industry insiders tell me she is going to have to lose weight if she wants to rise any higher.

"I'm not saying it's correct, but it's a simple fact that she will have to lose a lot of weight if she wants to keep getting parts," one casting director told me. "The same thing happened to Nikki Blonsky from 'Hairspray.' Everyone said how great she was, and she hasn't worked since."

And although friends of Gabby say she hasn't felt any pressure, they also note that parts aren't exactly flying in either. Shame on you, Hollywood!

From Dress Disaster to Best Dressed

What celebrity was set to hit the biggest red carpet of the year when her custom-made dress (so A-List) showed up and the designer had mixed up the measurements? None other than Lara Spencer, host of 'The Insider.'

While many others stars (who shall remain anonymous) would have had an only-in-Hollywood-style meltdown, Lara simply hit the phones and turned lemons into Robert Rodriquez lemonade.

"Everything happens for a reason! It turned out to be the perfect dress for a perfect night," Lara told me. "I didn't have time to overthink it, and sometimes, that works out the best. The gold Robert Rodriguez gown and Neil Lane vintage gold bracelets and ring worked out perfectly. It was just right for the golden night of entertainment."

We totally agree.

Tags: barbara walters, jimmy kimmel, Oscars2010

Comments

(10)

Tuesday 09 March

By joyakkty

Vote down Vote up Report this

me eting W eal thy 。c 0 m
///////////

where you can me et you r rich soulama te.

By BTDT

Nice tush on Lara.

━━M,e,e,t,i,n,g,W、e、a、l、t、h、y O、n、l、y ノ C 、0 M━━━

wh ere you can mee t your rich men or beautiful women

By Duke

It is time for BaBa WaWa to retire. She should get off the air and live out the rest of her years in retirement maybe writing a book that baby boomers and old fogies might want to buy.

I'm a boomer and I'd rather chew tin foil than read any of her drivel.

By dvdfrnz

I can't believe that they aren't giving the assignment to Elisabeth Hasselbeck. She is such a charming Hollywood interviewer.

Monday 15 March

By elinda brunt

happy for Jimmy who I do enjoy
Also he's just the right age if they wait any longer
he'll be to old

By meg

Barbara was old and boring 10 years ago it's time to go. Just FYI I am in my 40's, not some 20 something who finds her blah!

By Irish

Barbara is more than boring, I have never understood the attraction to her. I don't care if it is Jimmy or someone else, just a new face and view.

By Andi

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this