Okay movie lovers did you tune into the 97th Academy Awards ? If you did you know Conan O'Brien finally got his shot at hosting and let's just say he absolutely nailed it. After years of late-night TV Conan brought his signature blend of silly and smart to the Dolby Theatre and the internet is buzzing. Want to know what everyone is talking about? Buckle up we're diving into the highlights the jokes and of course who took home those shiny gold statues.
Conan Takes Control: Opening Monologue Packed with Self-Deprecating Humor and A-List Banter
From the second Conan walked on stage it was clear he was in his element. He kicked off the show with a classic Conan move self-deprecation. He joked about telling the crowd to sit even though no one was standing classic Conan! Then he immediately went into audience interaction spotting Demi Moore and referencing that wild body horror movie The Substance with a hilarious gag about emerging from her back. Seriously who else could pull that off?
He then strolled across the stage declaring he was "walking to show I have control of the stage." And he did. Conan who has never hosted the Oscars before felt like a seasoned pro. Maybe it's those decades in late-night TV writing jokes interviewing celebs and commanding all sorts of crowds. Someone even called him "one of our last classic entertainers" and it really felt true on that Oscars stage.
Conan's opening monologue was a masterclass in balancing tones. He did the traditional Oscars host thing giving shout-outs to Wicked stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande poking fun at Best Picture nominees and even teasing actors with their pre-fame headshots (Timothée Chalamet's sonogram was a particular highlight!).
But then he went full Conan jester mode. He championed the snubbed movie Babygirl took a playful jab at Amazon buying James Bond and then BAM he went there with some seriously edgy jokes about Karla Sofía Gascón and her controversial tweets . The audience gasped he grinned pointed at them rubbed his hands together even jogged in place. "I’m having fun" he said with a mischievous smile. And we could tell he really was which made it even funnier.
Beyond the Jokes: Conan's Earnest Moment and the Real Meaning of the Oscars
It wasn't all just about the laughs though. Conan being Conan managed to slip in a moment of genuine sincerity amidst the silliness. He delivered a direct-to-camera speech about why the Oscars actually matter especially during tough times. He acknowledged the wildfires in Los Angeles and the "divisive politics" but emphasized the importance of filmmaking and art.
"Even in the face of terrible wildfires and divisive politics the work which is what this is about the work continues" he said. He stressed that this "seemingly absurd ritual" of the Oscars would continue "through trauma and joy for years to come." It was a surprisingly heartfelt moment amidst the usual Oscar glitz and glamor showing Conan's ability to connect on a deeper level too.
Of course he had to end with a joke. "I will not" he declared then paused as the crowd started to laugh "I am leaving Hollywood to run a bed and breakfast in Orlando and I’d like to see you there." Classic Conan blending goofy humor with a touch of earnestness.
Oscars 2025: And the Winners Are... (The Highlights Reel)
Alright awards fans let's get to the golden statues! Here are some of the big winners from the 97th Academy Awards:
- Best Picture: ANORA
- Best Actor: Adrien Brody - THE BRUTALIST
- Best Supporting Actor: Kieran Culkin - A REAL PAIN
- Best Actress: Karla Sofía Gascón - EMILIA PÉREZ
- Best Supporting Actress: Zoe Saldaña - EMILIA PÉREZ
- Best Animated Feature Film: FLOW
- Best Documentary Feature: NO OTHER LAND
- Best Cinematography: THE BRUTALIST - Lol Crawley
- Best Costume Design: WICKED - Paul Tazewell
- Best Director: ANORA - Sean Baker
- Best Film Editing: ANORA - Sean Baker
- Best International Feature Film: I'M STILL HERE (Brazil)
- Best Makeup and Hairstyling: THE SUBSTANCE
- Best Original Score: THE BRUTALIST - Daniel Blumberg
- Best Original Song: "El Mal" from EMILIA PÉREZ
- Best Production Design: WICKED
- Best Animated Short Film: IN THE SHADOW OF THE CYPRESS
- Best Live Action Short Film: I'M NOT A ROBOT
- Best Documentary Short Subject: THE ONLY GIRL IN THE ORCHESTRA
- Best Sound: DUNE: PART TWO
- Best Visual Effects: DUNE: PART TWO
- Best Adapted Screenplay: CONCLAVE - Screenplay by Peter Straughan
- Best Original Screenplay: ANORA - Written by Sean Baker
Big night for ANORA and THE BRUTALIST it seems! And congrats to all the winners!
Conan's Oscar Prep: Why He Was "Terrified" But Ultimately Triumphed
Hosting the Oscars is no easy gig and Conan himself admitted he was "terrified". He even said it was "the thing I wake up and think about at night". But being scared is kind of his thing he admitted "I am drawn to the things that scare me."
He prepped like crazy bringing in 10 of his own writers to work with the Oscars team running jokes by everyone and even hitting up comedy clubs in LA to test out material. He's been writing comedy since he was 18 but even for him there's no guaranteed formula. "It’s frustrating but it’s not math. You can’t prove it. The only way to find out is to try it on people" he said.
Despite personal challenges like losing his parents recently and evacuating his home due to wildfires Conan pulled it off. He wanted to "have fun onstage" and he definitely delivered a memorable and entertaining Oscars ceremony. And that's exactly what everyone wanted to see.
Conan O'Brien's Oscar Hosting Highlights: Top Moments You Need to Rewatch
- Body Horror Humor: The Demi Moore "emerging from her back" gag.
- Edgy Jokes: The Karla Sofía Gascón tweet reference that had the audience gasping.
- A-List Banter: Funny exchange with Adam Sandler about Conan's "gym shorts and hoodie" attire.
- Unexpected Earnestness: The heartfelt speech about the importance of film amidst tough times.
- Self-Deprecating Charm: Basically his entire monologue from start to finish.
Conan Conquers the Oscars: A Hilarious and Heartfelt Hosting Debut
So Conan O'Brien hosted the Oscars and it was a hit. He brought the laughs the heart and his own brand of quirky charm to the biggest night in Hollywood. From edgy jokes to sincere moments Conan proved he understood the assignment and then some. If you missed it you need to catch the highlights. Conan at the Oscars? Definitely a win.