Conan O'Brien kicked off the 97th Academy Awards Sunday night with wild energy and comedic flair, making his debut as host for Hollywood's most prestigious event. The audience quickly warmed to his whimsical approach as he rolled through his opening monologue, which included jabs at various celebrities and light-hearted references to current events.
O'Brien, who turned 61 just weeks prior, targeted Best Actress nominee Karla Sofía Gascón, whose past racist and Islamophobic tweets resurfaced and sparked controversy during the awards season. The comedian quipped, "Karla, if you're going to tweet about the Oscars, remembers, my name is Jimmy Kimmel!" This dig drew laughter, especially as Gascón sat just feet away, able to react directly to the host's punchlines.
His critique didn't stop there. O'Brien also poked fun at Timothée Chalamet's eye-catching yellow suit, assuring the audience, "Timothée, you look amazing. You will not get hit on your bike tonight!" The segment was both entertaining and indicative of O'Brien's engaging comedic style, which blends quick wit with observational humor.
Throughout his nearly 20-minute monologue, O'Brien's jokes hit several marks, including referencing A-listers like Adam Sandler, who made a surprising appearance clad casually in hooded sweatshirts and shorts. You're dressed like a guy playing video poker at 2 AM, Adam,' O'Brien quipped, causing Sandler to mockingly storm off stage.
The host's humor, ranging from self-deprecation to clever observations on current Hollywood dynamics, was well-received. O'Brien took creative liberties, climbing out of Demi Moore's body for one opening skit, and incorporated various comedic elements like dancing and musical segments, including one featuring Deadpool and piano-playing sandworms directly referencing the hit film "Dune."
Displaying deep respect for the Hollywood community, O'Brien also turned his focus to the audience and filmmakers, acknowledging the struggles of industry craftspeople and the devastating wildfires affecting Los Angeles. Despite the evening's self-indulgence, he reminded everyone of the resilience behind the scenes, stating, "But what I want to do is have us all remembering why we gather here tonight. Yes, we will honor beautiful and talented A-list stars, but the Oscars also shine some light on the incredible community of people you don't see."
This year’s Oscars had exceptional competition among nominees, with O'Brien leading the audience through updates on various contenders. The film "Emilia Pérez," starring Gascón, was among the front-runners with 13 nominations. On the other hand, Anora, featuring actor Mikey Madison, made Oscar history, contributing to the night’s lively discussions.
Controversy continued to shadow the event, as past offenses from nominees resurfaced, fuelling Twitter discussions about ethical boundaries among nominees. The crowd reacted positively to O’Brien's humor but also engaged deeply with the serious themes he expressed.
Despite having reignited spirit and unity among filmmakers and moviegoers, O'Brien acknowledged the challenges at hand. Even as we are here, we must take note of the wildfires affecting Los Angeles and pay tribute to the artists who are dedicated to their craft during times of crisis, he said.
The Oscars 2025 will be remembered not only for the talent highlighted on stage but also the humorous yet meaningful flow O’Brien brought to host the night. With comparisons made across the board to previous hosts, many audiences found a fresh take on the ceremony through O'Brien's vision.
Fans on social media expressed overwhelming support for O’Brien's hosting, with many insisting he should take on the role annually. From his first punchlines to closing numbers, O'Brien had the audience laughing and clapping, ensuring this year's Oscars were not just another awards show but a celebratory event reflecting the spirit of Hollywood.
Conan O'Brien's multifaceted performance at the Oscars proved he could merge sharp satire with heartfelt acknowledgment, creating waves of laughter and reflective moments for the audience, both on-site and at home.