Conan O'brien Retains His Throne As King Of The Oscars With Opening Monologue

Security is tight astatine this year’s Oscar’s awards, and nan awesome concerns came from nan opera and ballet communities, Conan O’brien joked arsenic he kicked off nan 98th Academy Awards.

“They’re conscionable huffy you near retired jazz,” O’Brien quips astatine Timothee Chalamet, who smiled from nan crowd.

The “Marty Supreme” character faced backlash earlier this period aft remarks he made astir nan arts during a Variety and CNN municipality hallway pinch Matthew McConaughey successful February.

Chalamet said he appreciated those moving to support movie theaters alive, noting he doesn’t “want to beryllium moving successful ballet aliases opera aliases things wherever it’s like, ‘Hey! Keep this point alive.’ Even though it’s for illustration nary 1 cares astir this anymore.”

O’Brien acknowledged nan “very chaotic, frightening times,” during Sunday’s awards, each nan while landing friends quips to nan star-studded assemblage during his opening monologue.

The Oscars are “particularly resonant” during times of turmoil, he said, noting that 31 countries crossed six continents were represented successful nan show.

“Every movie we salute is simply a merchandise of thousands of group speaking different language, moving difficult to make thing of beauty,” O’Brien said. “We salary tribute tonight, not conscionable to film, but to nan ideals of world artistry, collaboration, patience, resilience, and that rarest of qualities today: optimism.”

The comedian joked that Sunday’s awards was nan first clip Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos was successful a theater. O’Brien besides warned nan show mightiness get political, and said anyone who is uncomfortable tin drawback an alternate type of nan show “hosted by Kid Rock astatine nan Dave and Busters down nan street” a jab astatine nan MAGA-fueled Super Bowl halftime show earlier this year.

O’Brien acknowledged nan awesome movies up for awards this year, pinch “Sinners” receiving a information of applause from nan audience. The movie collapsed records this twelvemonth pinch 16 nominations.

“I’m honored to beryllium nan past quality big of nan Academy Awards. Next twelvemonth it’s gonna beryllium a Waymo pinch a tux,” O’Brien said.

The comedian, who returned to nan Oscars shape Sunday aft emceeing past year, started nan show pinch a pre-recorded segment of him backstage, wherever he was fixed ray constitution and a short orangish wig, resembling Gladys, from nan movie “Weapons.”

The montage features O’Brien moving done movie sets of various nominated movies arsenic a group of children tally aft him, an homage to nan movie’s infamous scene. O’Brien moreover became animated arsenic he appeared successful nan Netflix movie, “KPop Demon Hunters.”

O’Brien yet makes it to nan Oscars stage, pinch nan children still moving aft him.

O’Brien’s return was confirmed conscionable weeks aft last year’s awards show, overmuch earlier than nan typical fall announcement by nan Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. O’Brien’s capacity was well-received past twelvemonth and helped nan telecast summation a slight bump successful assemblage ratings, marking a five-year high.

“Conan was nan cleanable big — skillfully guiding america done nan evening pinch humor, warmth and reverence,” academy Chief Executive Bill Kramer and erstwhile president Janet nan said successful a connection announcing nan return engagement.

After signing disconnected from late-night TV, O’Brien launched nan Emmy-winning HBO Max recreation show “Conan O’Brien Must Go.” He received nan Mark Twain Prize for life accomplishment successful drama successful early 2025. The 62-year-old besides hosts nan podcast “Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend.”

O’Brien kept past year’s jokes light, directing friends jabs astatine immoderate of nan attendees. The comedian stayed distant from politics, though he did admit nan devastating wildfires that struck nan region, saying, “in a infinitesimal specified arsenic this, immoderate awards show tin look self-indulgent and superfluous.”

“Last twelvemonth erstwhile I hosted, Los Angeles was connected fire. But this year, everything is going great,” O’Brien said.