Conan O’Brien hosted the Academy Awards for the second year in a row on March 15th, and his return was a hit. The 62-year-old comedian started the 98th ceremony with a lively, pre-recorded sketch where he dressed up as Aunt Gladys, a character from the horror movie Weapons.
In the sketch, O’Brien, in character, was chased by the creepy children from the film, running through the sets of other nominated movies like the bar from Sinners and the stage from Hamnet.
Okay, so Conan O’Brien absolutely killed it hosting! He wasted no time jumping right into the fun, starting with a hilarious self-deprecating joke – he introduced himself as the last human host of the Oscars, implying a robot will take over next year! It was a great way to get the audience laughing right away.
He also playfully poked fun at Timothée Chalamet about his comments on opera and ballet. Conan joked about potential attacks from the opera and ballet communities, and Chalamet himself laughed – it was a really good-natured moment.
But honestly, the highlight for me was the new meme material he gifted us with Leonardo DiCaprio. A clip of Leo looking utterly bewildered with a caption saying “TFW You Didn’t Agree to This” is already going viral, and it’s destined to join the ranks of his iconic Gatsby toast and that smug look from Django Unchained. Seriously, it’s already a classic!
Conan O’Brien makes a new Leonardo DiCaprio meme #Oscars
— Deadline (@DEADLINE) March 15, 2026
O’Brien’s speech struck a nice balance between funny and thoughtful. He recognized the challenges facing the world but highlighted how film can bring people together. He told the audience they were celebrating not just movies, but also the values of artistry, teamwork, dedication, and a positive outlook. He emphasized that the celebration wasn’t about pretending everything was perfect, but about working towards a brighter future. His performance, which included witty jokes about the film industry alongside sincere appreciation, proved he’s a consistently strong host for the event.
I’m a huge fan of Conan O’Brien, and it’s been amazing to watch his career evolve! After so many years killing it on late-night TV and writing for shows like Saturday Night Live and The Simpsons, he’s really found a new groove as a podcaster and traveler. His travel series, Conan O’Brien Must Go, has been a massive hit on Max – it even won an Emmy in 2025! And to top it all off, he received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor earlier that year, which is such a well-deserved honor for everything he’s contributed to comedy.
Beyond being a fantastic host, I’m a huge fan of Conan’s podcast, Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend – it really feels like he’s just hanging out and chatting with people, and millions tune in every week! What’s cool is he’s doing all this through his own production company, Conaco, which gives him the freedom to try out new and different ideas without a lot of network interference. It’s refreshing to see someone with that much creative control.
The awards ceremony was a memorable one, highlighted by Ryan Coogler’s film Sinners, which earned a record-breaking 16 nominations and took home four awards, including Best Actor for Michael B. Jordan. Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another was the biggest winner overall, taking home the coveted Best Picture award as part of its six total wins.
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2026-03-16 13:00