Oscars Host Amy Schumer Reveals Jokes Censored by Academy

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — As the 2025 Academy Awards approach, comedian Amy Schumer has revisited the censorship she faced while hosting the prestigious event in 2022. The Oscars, known for honoring cinematic excellence, also come with strict guidelines for presenters regarding their on-stage remarks.

During a recent stand-up performance, Schumer reflected on a particularly risqué joke that she was prohibited from delivering during the show. She humorously recounted a planned bit involving the films nominated that year, including *Nightmare Alley* and *House of Gucci*.

“I don’t know why they said no,” Schumer said while addressing the audience. Her intended joke included a cheeky reference to her husband, saying, “So, my husband was going down on me—or as he calls it, Squid Game.” After listing various movie titles, she added, “He goes tick, tick… BOOM! He Belfast. I say, ‘Get off my Dune!’”

The crowd erupted in laughter as she concluded that this was how their son was born. “Can you believe they said no to that?” she recounted, expressing disbelief at the Academy’s decision to censor her material.

Schumer’s planned jokes weren’t the only instances of censorship; she revealed other topics that were also nixed, including references to controversial personalities like Joe Rogan and allegations against actor James Franco.

“Don’t Look Up is the name of a movie? More like don’t look down the barrel of Alec Baldwin’s shotgun,” Schumer quipped, highlighting her frustration over the restrictions placed on her by Oscars producers. “I wasn’t allowed to say any of that at the Oscars, but you can just come up and slap someone,” she noted, referencing the infamous incident involving Will Smith and Chris Rock during the ceremony.

Although the Academy Awards are designed to celebrate artistic talent, they also impose limitations on hosts that can stifle personal expression. Schumer’s experience raises questions about creative freedom in such high-stakes environments.

The Academy has faced scrutiny before regarding its policies for presenters. While they aim to maintain decorum, the rules can sometimes lead to missed opportunities for humor and cultural commentary, as Schumer’s story illustrates.

As the Oscars continue to adapt to changing societal norms and audience expectations, it remains to be seen whether they will reconsider their stance on performers’ creative liberties in future ceremonies.