Jimmy Kimmel thinks it's "almost necessary" to discuss politics at this year's Oscars.

Jimmy Kimmel

Jimmy Kimmel

The 50-year-old TV star is set to host the Academy Awards in Los Angeles on March 4, and while he intends to bring plenty of humour to the event, Jimmy revealed that he'll also be touching on more serious issues.

He explained: "A lot of people are going with this line of reasoning where they say people in show business shouldn't speak out about politics. And yet ... they elected Donald Trump the president of the United States.

"So, I think that argument has pretty well jumped out the window."

Jimmy has been outspoken on political issues in the past, and the late-night chat show host has no regrets about the things he's previously said.

Of his plans for the Oscars, the comedian told ABC News: "I'm still doing a comedy show and I need to be funny and entertain my audience, but I also think that we've matured enough ... to the point where we can accept late-night talk show hosts speaking about a serious subject.

"I think that it's almost necessary now."

Meanwhile, Jimmy previously revealed that he also plans to make reference to the Hollywood sex scandal during the Oscars.

But the TV star claimed that he's in a no-win situation if he chooses to make jokes about the issue or not, because either way, he's certain he'll upset someone.

Jimmy explained: "I think there are certain groups of people who think I shouldn't make any jokes about that situation. And there are groups of people who will be mad if I don't make jokes about that situation. So you just kind of have to figure it out.

"Whatever I do will be criticised by someone. Like, 'You didn't make enough jokes about Harvey Weinstein.'"