Okay movie fans did you catch the 2025 Oscars ? The awards themselves were cool and all but let's be real everyone is talking about one thing: Conan O'Brien . Seriously the internet has exploded with praise for his hosting gig and it is not hard to see why. He brought the funny the charm and maybe most importantly he just seemed to get the assignment.
From Body Horror Jokes to Self-Deprecation: Conan's Oscars Monologue Was a Masterclass in Hosting
As soon as Conan walked onto that Oscars stage he just felt right. He started off with some classic Conan self-deprecating humor telling the audience to sit even though nobody was standing. Then he spotted Demi Moore in the crowd and brought up that hilarious clip of him emerging from her back referencing her movie The Substance. It was weird it was funny it was pure Conan.
He totally commanded the room and the broadcast. Even though it was his first time hosting the Academy Awards Conan felt like a total pro. After three decades in late-night TV writing jokes interviewing celebs and handling live audiences it is no surprise he was comfortable. As one writer pointed out Conan is one of the last true classic entertainers and this Oscars gig just proved it.
What made Conan's hosting so great? It was his ability to mix silly with serious. He could make goofy jokes but also deliver a genuine message. This year's Oscars were in a tricky spot coming after a big election and those terrible wildfires in Los Angeles. Hollywood itself is going through changes with streaming and all that. Conan managed to acknowledge all of this while still keeping things light and entertaining. He knew when to make people laugh and when to make them listen.
Poking Fun But Keeping it Earnest: Conan Balanced Goofy Jokes with Real Moments
During his monologue Conan played the classic Oscars host role. He gave shout-outs to Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande from Wicked. He made lighthearted jokes about the Best Picture nominees. He even teased actors with their super embarrassing pre-fame headshots. Timothée Chalamet's sonogram picture? Come on that's comedy gold.
But Conan also went full-on jester mode. He shouted out Babygirl a movie that got snubbed by the Academy. He made fun of Amazon buying the James Bond franchise. And he even went there with some edgy jokes about Karla Sofía Gascón's controversial tweets. When the audience gasped at the Gascón joke Conan seemed to love it pointing at the crowd and rubbing his hands together all giddy. "I’m having fun" he said with a big smile.
That giddiness is what made it work. Conan was clearly having a blast up there and it was contagious. Whether he was joking with Adam Sandler asking John Lithgow for help with long speeches or doing a silly song and dance about not wasting time Conan was all in. He made it clear he was there to entertain and people loved him for it.
A Serious Moment of Reflection: Conan on Why Movies Still Matter
In the middle of all the jokes Conan also delivered a really powerful moment. He spoke directly to the camera about why filmmaking and the Oscars still matter especially during tough times. He acknowledged that awards shows can seem "self-indulgent and superfluous" but he wanted everyone to remember why they were there.
He said that even with wildfires and political divides "the work which is what this is about the work continues". He emphasized that "through trauma and joy this seemingly absurd ritual is going to be here" year after year. Then in perfect Conan fashion he ended it with a joke saying he was leaving Hollywood to open a bed and breakfast in Orlando. It was classic Conan: goofy but also genuinely heartfelt.
Internet Adoration: Social Media Erupts with Praise for Conan's Hosting Gig
The reaction online was unreal. Social media blew up with praise for Conan's hosting. People were saying things like "Conan O'Brien is the best American we have" and "God DAMN I love Conan O'Brien." The love just kept pouring in throughout the night and even after the show ended.
Fans were sharing their favorite Conan moments from the show like his jokes about Kendrick Lamar and Drake his crack about swear words in Anora and that hilarious song about not wasting time. Many people said it was so refreshing to have Conan hosting after the last few years and that he brought a breath of fresh air to the ceremony. Some fans even suggested he should host every year or at least every other year.
People pointed to Conan's humor style his self-deprecating jokes and his ability to make fun of the Oscars and Hollywood itself as reasons for his success. He wasn't afraid to laugh at himself or the whole awards show thing and that really connected with viewers. As one person put it "guys I think Conan O’Brien might be really good at comedy." It was like everyone online was in agreement: Conan nailed it.
Why Conan's Hosting Resonated: Nostalgia Connection and Comedy Expertise
So why did Conan's Oscars hosting performance get such a massive positive response? Well for one thing he is just really good at hosting. He understands how to connect with an audience how to land a joke and how to keep things moving. He definitely delivered on the entertainment front.
But there is more to it than that. Conan has been a fixture in comedy and TV for decades. He was on late night for almost 30 years. A whole generation grew up watching him on TV. There is a built-in nostalgia factor there. People feel like they know him. Studies even show that early exposure to artists makes people feel more connected to them over time.
For many viewers it felt like a personal victory seeing Conan do so well on such a big stage. People have a long-term connection with him and they are invested in his success. Social media just amplified that feeling bringing together millions of fans in a shared moment of joy. It was a global watercooler moment where nostalgia and a great performance came together perfectly.
Conan's Best Jokes and Moments from the 2025 Oscars: A Quick List
- Emerging from Demi Moore's back in a pre-recorded clip referencing The Substance.
- Teasing Timothée Chalamet with a sonogram as his pre-fame headshot.
- Joking about Karla Sofía Gascón's controversial tweets.
- Sparring humorously with longtime friend Adam Sandler.
- Performing a song-and-dance number about not wasting time on stage.
- His bit about leaving Hollywood to run a bed-and-breakfast in Orlando.
- Overall self-deprecating humor throughout the monologue and ceremony.
Conan the Oscar Winner (in Spirit): He May Not Have a Statue But He Won the Night
In the end Conan O'Brien may not have taken home an actual Oscar statue. But if you spend any time online after the 2025 ceremony it is clear who the real winner was in the eyes of the public. Conan won the night. He delivered a hosting performance that was funny charming and genuinely memorable. He reminded everyone why he is a comedy legend and why sometimes a little bit of goofiness and heart is exactly what an awards show needs. So congrats Conan you nailed it!