All Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai wanted was a little peace at the Oscars on Sunday. But Jimmy Kimmel’s audience shtick got in the way. (Watch the video below.)
During a lull, the host asked Yousafzai a supposed question from a fan: “Your work on human rights and education for women and children is an inspiration. As the youngest Nobel Prize winner in history, I was wondering: Do you think Harry Styles spit on Chris Pine?” It was a reference to a supposed incident between the “Don’t Worry Darling” co-stars at the Venice Film Festival (which Pine denied).
“I only talk about peace,” Yousafzai shot back.
Kimmel complimented the activist on her answer. “That’s why you’re Malala and nobody else is. ... The winner is Malalaland everybody.”
Moments later, an actor in a bear costume from a “Cocaine Bear” bit began to playfully paw at Yousafzai, who executive-produced the Oscar-nominated short doc “Stranger at the Gate.”
“Cocaine bear, leave Malala alone!” Kimmel demanded.
Some viewers thought Kimmel’s routine was beneath Yousafzai.
Crowd-sourcing jokes at the Oscars can be hit-and-miss. Just ask David Letterman, whose Uma-Oprah joke crumbled at the 1995 ceremony.
Twitter users who thought Kimmel’s shtick was a miss went after him hard.