Conan O’Brien, the Emmy-winning comedian, writer, producer, and former late-night host, has been announced as the host of the 97th Oscars, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences revealed on Friday.
This will mark O’Brien’s first time hosting the Oscars, following two consecutive years with Jimmy Kimmel as emcee.
The ceremony comes on the heels of winning an Emmy for Outstanding Variety Special (Live), bolstered by a broadcast that attracted over 20 million viewers.
Staying true to his comedic roots, O’Brien reacted to the news with humor. “America demanded it, and now it’s happening: Taco Bell’s new Cheesy Chalupa Supreme. In other news, I’m hosting the Oscars,” he quipped.
Statements of Enthusiasm
Academy CEO Bill Kramer and president Janet Yang expressed their excitement in a joint statement. “We are thrilled and honored to have the incomparable Conan O’Brien host the Oscars this year.
He is the perfect person to lead our global celebration of film with his brilliant humor, his love of movies, and his live TV expertise.
His remarkable ability to connect with audiences will bring viewers together to do what the Oscars do best — honor the spectacular films and filmmakers of this year.”
Craig Erwich, president of Disney Television Group, echoed the sentiment. “Conan is a preeminent comedic voice, whose decades-long success is marked by his distinctive humor and perspective.
He joins an iconic roster of comedy greats who have served in this role, and we are so lucky to have him center stage for the Oscars.”
The show’s executive producers, Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan, also praised the choice, emphasizing O’Brien’s mastery of live television and his unique comedic style.
“Conan has all the qualities of a great Oscars host — he is incredibly witty, charismatic, and funny and has proven himself to be a master of live event television.
We are so looking forward to working with him to deliver a fresh, exciting, and celebratory show for Hollywood’s biggest night,” they said.
O’Brien’s Storied Career
Conan O’Brien is widely known for his two-decade career in late-night television, having hosted ,Late Night With Conan O’Brien, The Tonight Show With Conan O’Brien, and Conan.
Before his success as a host, he built his career as a writer for NBC’s Saturday Night Live and Fox’s The Simpsons.
Currently, he hosts the acclaimed podcast Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend and recently starred in the travel series Conan O’Brien Must Go. Over his career, O’Brien has received 31 Emmy nominations and won five.
Oscars 2025: What to Expect
The 97th Oscars will take place at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood and will be broadcast live to over 200 territories worldwide.
The ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, March 2, 2025, airing at 7 PM ET/4 PM PT on ABC and international outlets, with a red carpet pre-show starting at 6:30 PM ET/3:30 PM PT.
This year’s films are expected to include a dynamic lineup of contenders such as Sean Baker’s dramedy Anora, Jon M. Chu’s musical Wicked, and Ridley Scott’s epic sequel Gladiator II.
