‘The Jonathan Ross coverage is painful’ say ITV Oscars viewers as he makes awkward dig at Margot Robbie’s dress
JONATHAN Ross has come under fire for his divisive Oscars pre-show coverage on ITV last night.
The talk show host was on hand to take UK viewers through all the action stateside at the movie industry’s most prestigious event.
On a star-studded night in Hollywood, Oppenheimer was the big winner taking seven gongs including Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Director.
As the glitz, glamour and gong-giving played out, Ross commented on the celebs’ fashion choices.
But not every gag hit its mark.
One fumed on X: “Ross and friends are debating if Margot Robbie is in black to mourn Greta and her missing some categories.”
Greta being Barbie director Greta Gerwig, who missed out on a Best Director nomination despite being a huge box office success.
Another complained: “Being in the UK and watching the Oscars is so hard…i just wanna watch ppl winning awards but Jonathan Ross is gonna be waffling away for 4 hours…just shrrrupp man!”
A third said: “When I asked for ITV or the BBC to air the #Oscars, I meant just the ceremony, not f**king Jonathan Ross playing bingo…”
A fourth vented: “This Jonathan Ross ITV pre Academy Awards coverage is utterly painful. Awful jokes, forced laughs from his few guests, HELL ON EARTH.”
There was yet more controversy when Jonathan called Oscar-winner Cillian Murphy British, despite him being Irish – something he focused on in his acceptance speech for Best Actor.
Murphy told the celebrity audience “we are all living in Oppenheimer’s world now”, before saying: “I would like to dedicate this to the peacemakers of the world.”
He signed off with the Gaelic phrase “go raibh maith agat” which means ‘may good be at you’.
One shocked viewer said: “Jonathan Ross calling Cillian Murphy a potential ‘British winner'”
And others weren’t impressed by a remark about the In Memoriam segment and late Friends star Matthew Perry.
The sitcom legend, who died last year at his LA home, is best known for his TV work but did star on the big screen in films such as 17 Again and The Whole Nine Yards.
Ross said: “Welcome back. A touching tribute from the Academy there of some incredible performers and filmmakers sadly no longer with us. Always a sombre moment.
“It was nice to see Matthew Perry included, even though he’s not primarily known for his work in cinema, they probably could have done it without him.”