Host for the Next Academy Awards

Conan O’Brien Announced as Host for the Next Academy Awards

In a bid to balance buzz with safety, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has chosen Conan O’Brien as the host for the 97th Oscars ceremony, set to air on ABC in March. O’Brien, 61, steps into the role after the previous host, Jimmy Kimmel, bowed out, marking a return to late-night roots for the Oscars, though O’Brien himself left late-night TV in 2021.

Since then, the comedy veteran has focused on his podcast Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend and a travel show for Max, Conan O’Brien Must Go. Responding to the announcement in his signature tongue-in-cheek style, O’Brien said, “America demanded it and now it’s happening: Taco Bell’s new Cheesy Chalupa Supreme. In other news, I’m hosting the Oscars.”

The choice of O’Brien checks several boxes for the Academy. As a first-time Oscars host, he brings freshness to a ceremony often criticized for being outdated. At the same time, his decades of experience and polished comedic style make him a safe and seasoned pick. O’Brien has successfully helmed other awards shows, including the Emmys, and his ability to balance humor with serious moments makes him a strong fit for the Oscars' tone, where hosts must address pressing issues — such as America’s political divide — while maintaining an engaging and lighthearted atmosphere.

O’Brien also has a knack for orchestrating viral moments, a skill increasingly prized by Academy officials eager to boost both pre-show buzz and live viewership. With 27 million followers on X (formerly Twitter), O’Brien offers a substantial platform for promotion.

The Oscars, struggling to regain cultural relevance amid declining ratings, have experimented with various hosting formats in recent years. After going host-less from 2019 to 2021, the Academy tried a trio of hosts in 2022 (Wanda Sykes, Regina Hall, and Amy Schumer) before returning to the single-host format with Kimmel in 2023 and 2024.

Kimmel’s tenure helped rehabilitate the show’s reputation after the infamous 2022 incident where Will Smith slapped Chris Rock onstage. The 96th Oscars telecast earlier this year drew 19.5 million viewers, the highest in four years but still far from the 32-million-plus audiences of pre-2018 ceremonies.

Hosting the Oscars was once a coveted gig for stars like Billy Crystal and Whoopi Goldberg, but many now see it as a high-risk endeavor, given the time commitment and inevitable social media backlash. Kimmel himself declined a return in 2025, citing the need for a break, while John Mulaney reportedly passed on the offer.

By choosing Conan O’Brien, the Academy is betting on a host who can blend humor, charm, and relevance to appeal to both traditional Oscar fans and the digital-savvy generation. Only time will tell if he can reignite excitement for Hollywood’s biggest night.