Conan O'Brien Returns to Host the 98th Oscars
After the overwhelmingly positive reception at this year's Academy Awards, The Academy announced that the Emmy-winning former late-night host and current comedian and podcaster will return to host the 98th Oscars ceremony. Yes, Conan is back, and I couldn't be happier.
Bill Kramer, Academy CEO, and Janet Yang, Academy President, also revealed that the Emmy-winning producing duo Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan will lead the show for a third consecutive year. Jeff Ross and Mike Sweeney will also return as producers for a second time, with Sweeney also serving as a writer.
Kapoor and Mullan responded: "We are both so honored to be returning in our roles for the 98th Oscars. We can’t wait to work with Conan and his entire team as we continue to explore even more special and heartfelt opportunities to celebrate next year’s nominees and the impact of film around the world."
Conan, never one to shy away from self-deprecation, quipped, "The only reason I’m hosting the Oscars next year is that I want to hear Adrien Brody finish his speech."
For those who didn't watch, Brody's best actor speech for The Brutalist was five minutes and 40 seconds long, the longest in Oscars history.
Kramer and Yang couldn't hide their excitement: "We are thrilled to bring back Conan, Raj, Katy, Jeff, and Mike for the 98th Oscars! This year’s show was a visual feast that celebrated our nominees and the global film community in the most heartfelt way possible. Conan was the perfect guide through an evening of laughs, warmth, and genuine reverence. We’re honored to be working with them again."
And it's not just the Academy that's thrilled—audiences were, too. The 97th Oscars, hosted by O'Brien, delivered the highest viewership numbers in five years, pulling in 19.69 million viewers. The ceremony also dominated online engagement, racking up 104.2 million social media interactions—beating the Grammys and even the Super Bowl in online buzz.
Disney Television Group's Craig Erwich praised O'Brien: "Conan delivered an unforgettable performance at The Oscars, and we're honored to have him and the producing team back next year. Conan’s unique comedic style perfectly captured the moment, and I’m excited to have his talents back onstage next year to helm another indelible performance."
O'Brien's first time hosting the Oscars was widely praised for reinvigorating the show with his signature offbeat humor, sharp monologues, and perfectly-timed roasting of Hollywood's elite. From poking fun at the industry's never-ending sequels to staging a hilarious opening number with surprise celebrity cameos, his performance struck the perfect balance between reverence and irreverence—earning him universal acclaim.
Backstage, Kapoor and Mullan are planning another show-stopping production that promises to up the ante in celebrating next year's awards contenders. Speaking of which, while it's still anyone's guess who will snag an Oscar, the release calendar for the rest of the year looks fantastic with everything from big-budget blockbusters to auteur-driven passion projects. Expect to see contenders like Jon M. Chu's musical sequel Wicked: For Good, Chloé Zhao's adaptation of Hamnet, and not one but two Frankenstein flicks from Guillermo del Toro and Maggie Gyllenhaal.
The 98th Academy Awards will once again light up the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood, and air live on ABC from 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT, promising an evening where old-school glamour meets modern mischief—with plenty of Conan's quips to keep us all on our toes.
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