The Oscarstelecast has , for many , become a predictable affair , often weighed down by familiar faces and a sensation of diminishing riposte , which Conan O’Brien efficaciously fixed . After a drawing string of years where the host duty seemed to come down primarily to Jimmy Kimmel , a tangible weariness settled over watcher . This year , a seismal shift occurred , include somebig Oscar rebuff and surprise , some of thembreaking Oscar records , as well as a refreshing host .

In a move that surprised and delighted , Conan O’Brien take the stage for his inaugural Oscars host gig , and the result were pick up . O’Brien have a masterclass in comedic hosting betweenOscar succeeder announcements , injecting a much - want jolt of energy into the ceremony . His perfectly execute morsel and genuine connection with the audience , both in the elbow room and at base , sparked a wave of congratulations , proving that a tonic linear perspective can revitalise even the most establish of Hollywood tradition .

Conan O’Brien Was An Almost Perfect Oscars Host (Which Is Rare)

O’Brien Perfectly Balanced Light Roasts With Theatrics

It was Conan O’Brien ’s first time spearheading the Oscars , and he was a lifelike . The 97th Academy Awards was a challenging year for O’Brien train the helm , as praseodymium experts anticipated the“most toxic time of year in a decade”(perTribune ) , not to remark a divisive moment in American history overall . He read this in his pace by only softly touch on on politics inO’Brien ’s joke bear on Putin , and keep the roasts light . According to theNew York Times , O’Brien ’s strategy was to“infuse the show with positivity ” , and that he did , appearing outright giddy about his genuine appreciation for picture show .

Conan O’Brien appeared confident in his opening monologuewithout being arrogant , whichfeatured a lot of the sticky , self - deprecating humor — something that he is known for . For case , observing“I’m walking to show I have ascendancy of the stage,”and noting that Antonio Banderas should have consult him when prepare for his office as the hubby who could not make his married woman orgasm inBabygirl . He also included many cockamamy , gamy - production theatrics to keep the show light and nurse in a year marred by controversy , even featuring a Sand Worm fromDuneplaying both the pianoforte and the harp .

That being said , O’Brien ’s hosting was not all joke . Striking a more serious tone , he showed a reverence for the workers out of the spotlight who make movies possible . He also give the California Wildfire Relief Efforts a second to shine on stage to acknowledge the devastation of the attack and their heroic work .

Elphaba Erivo Grande Glinda Wicked

The Oscars Has Been Struggling To Connect With Audiences For A While

The Oscars’ Legacy Has Previously Been Marred By Diversity Issues

The Oscars notch nearly 20 million Americans watch the ceremony in 2024 . However , prize shows in general have had a viewership fall , including the Grammys dropped 9 percent , ending three years of gains ( perNew York Times ) . Because of this , the 97th Academy Awards increased their merchandising endeavor and focused on the trinket of having Conan O’Brien hosting , rather than Jimmy Kimmel , who had the gig in 2017 , 2018 , 2023 , and 2024 . O’Brien ’s choice to keep it positive focus on the art form made the 2025 Oscars come across more , as did the multifariousness of nominees .

This year ’s show necessitate a emcee who would uplift the industry and make for in spectator , especially as Barbenheimer was such a major cinematic result last class , needs draw comparisons to upshot movie efforts that have tried to emulate its merchandising spectacle .

This is an improvement on previous year , asprevious Oscars boniface have sometimes had too many rat interaction with celebrities , and lack of diversity has been a common complaint , even inspiring an # OscarsSoWhite effort a tenner ago , during the 87th Academy Awards . O’Brien poked light fun at variety controversies like Karla Sofía Gascón ’s tweets . This twelvemonth ’s show needed a host who would uplift the industry and make for in viewers , particularly as Barbenheimer was such a major cinematic event last class , inevitably line comparisons to effect movie sweat that have tried to emulate its selling spectacle .

Scarlett Johansson as Zora Bennett in Jurassic World Rebirth

A Bad Awards Show Host Can Spell Disaster For The Show

Other Hosting Disasters Have Gone Down In History

Getting the humor correct as an award show boniface is a very difficult job among fluctuating public attitudes toward Hollywood . Last yr ’s gilt Globes see stand - up comedian Jo Koy bombing his soliloquy , having take the job only 10 days before . Having had very petty time to gear up , some of the jokes were good but many of them fall flat , with Jo Koy blaming other writers for the jokes that were n’t received well . At several points in his speech , he just call out the names of attendant .

Another example of an awkward award show host was the 2011 Oscars , which ascertain James Franco and Anne Hathaway giving the monologue . Part of their back - and - forth humor was Franco appear to hang Hathaway out to dry out by saying they were both nominated for award when Hathaway was not . This would have been fishy if Franco ’s lackluster humdrum for the whole exchange did n’t drag the mood down , despite Hathaway ’s efforts to keep it upbeat .

Grande and Erivo gave a great hatchway performance at the 2025 Oscars that highlighted some of the best moments from the Wizard of Oz franchise .

Michael Keaton looking at Winona Ryder in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

Seth MacFarlane in the 2013 Oscars created quite a cunning setup for prove to change the class of the hereafter so that he would not be rated the sorry host in history of the ceremony . However , the song“we saw your boobs”was a tacky and misogynous opening identification number that belonged onFamily Guy , not the acme of the movie industry recognizing role player of all genders for their trade . A better example of jumpy humour wasRicky Gervais ’ unforgettable 2020 Golden world , because he perforate up and nobody was spared . Unlike other examples , Gervais ’ risk pay off off .

Conan O’Brien guide a less controversial approach , which was the right movethis time around . There were just the right amount of roasts , specs , and musical numbers . His court toThe Substancein his entrance skit in particular will go down inThe Oscars’history , especially as the fantastic consistency repulsion took home an awarding for Best Makeup and Hairstyling . Perhaps the Academy should already book him for next yr ’s event .

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Conan O’Brien hosting an event

The Oscars Poster Featuring an Oscars Statue Standing in front of a curtain

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