Conan O’Brien Understood the Assignment

When Conan O’Brien stepped onto the Oscars stage, he immediately felt like he was meant to be there. With a self-deprecating attitude, he jokingly told the audience to sit down, even though they were already seated. O’Brien greeted actress Demi Moore with a smile, having just shown a funny clip where he humorously emerged from her back, referencing her role in the nominated film The Substance. As he walked across the stage, he declared, "I’m walking to show I have control of the stage."

And he truly did have control. Despite being a first-time host for the Academy Awards, O’Brien carried himself like a seasoned pro, likely due to his thirty years of experience in late-night television. That time has made him a master at writing jokes and engaging with celebrities, as noted by writer Vikram Murthi, who called O’Brien one of the last classic entertainers.

O’Brien’s ability to blend humor and seriousness contributed to his success that night. The ceremony followed significant events, including a presidential election and devastating wildfires in Los Angeles that affected many lives. Hollywood has also faced challenges since the pandemic, with productions leaving the area and controversies surrounding some nominees. On a personal level, O’Brien dealt with the recent loss of his parents and the need to evacuate his home due to fires. Balancing these heavy topics while making the audience laugh was a challenge he embraced.

From the start, he demonstrated his skill. During his opening monologue, he played a traditional host role, encouraging applause for stars like Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. He added humor by poking fun at the Best Picture nominees and displaying silly pre-fame photos of actors, like a sonogram of Timothée Chalamet.

However, he was also the playful jester. O’Brien protested against the Academy for snubbing the movie Babygirl in 2024 and made jokes about Amazon’s purchase of the James Bond franchise. He even poked fun at actress Karla Sofía Gascón, who had controversial tweets resurface, impacting her award chances. When the audience gasped at his comment, O’Brien thrived on the moment, smiling widely and admitting, "I’m having fun."

His enthusiasm helped lighten up the atmosphere during some of his more unusual jokes, whether he was joking with longtime friend Adam Sandler, asking actor John Lithgow to help speed up lengthy speeches, or performing a funny song and dance about not wasting time onstage—something many Oscars hosts have criticized in the past. O’Brien made it clear that his goal was to engage and entertain everyone present.

Perhaps that's why O'Brien was able to effectively deliver a segment that others might have rushed through. He spoke sincerely about the importance of filmmaking, especially during challenging times. He remarked, "In moments like this, awards shows can seem self-indulgent and unnecessary, but I want us all to remember why we gather here tonight… Even in tough times, the work continues, and this quirky ritual will endure through both hardship and happiness."

Just as the crowd began to laugh, he joked, "I will not… I’m leaving Hollywood to run a bed-and-breakfast in Orlando, and I invite you all to visit me there." It was a classic Conan moment—silly yet genuine. In recent interviews, he expressed that his only goal for hosting was to have fun onstage, a target he surely met. The audience seemed to share in his joy.

Conan, Oscars, entertainment