Jimmy Kimmel takes aim at Trump during Oscars

Jimmy Kimmel opened the 89th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday night with a well-received opening monologue that poked fun at President Trump, Meryl Streep, Mel Gibson and his long-time arch-nemesis, Matt Damon.

On stage Kimmel said: "This broadcast is being watched live by millions of Americans and around the world in more than 225 countries that now hate us.

"I want to say thank you to President Trump. I mean remember last year when it seemed like the Oscars were racist."

Speaking to the people who would win awards on the night, Kimmel said: "Some of you will get to come up here tonight and give a speech that the president will tweet about in all caps during his 5am bowel movement."

In a more serious tone Kimmel told the audience: "There are millions watching right now and if every one of you took a minute to reach out to someone you disagree with and had a positive, considerate conversation, not as liberals or conservatives but as Americans, if we all did that we could make America great again. It starts with us."

Taking jibes at Trump's branding of Meryl Streep as overrated, Kimmel said: "Of all the great actors in Hollywood, one in particular has stood the test of time for her many uninspiring and overrated performances.

"May I say from her mediocre early work in The Deer Hunter and Out Of Africa to her underwhelming performances in Kramer Vs Kramer and Sophie's Choice, Meryl Streep has phoned it in for over 50 films over the course of her lacklustre career.

"Meryl, stand up if you would, please join me in giving Meryl a totally undeserved round of applause.

"The highly overrated Meryl Streep everyone. Nice dress by the way - is that an Ivanka?"