Conan O’Brien shared insights on the strict rules surrounding the Oscars during the March 13 episode of his podcast. He mentioned that he had ideas to showcase the award statuette in a more casual manner, such as placing it on a couch, but these ideas were shut down by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences due to their strict regulations regarding the handling of the Oscar statue.
One of the rules O’Brien revealed was that the Oscar statuette could never be placed horizontally, comparing it to a religious icon. Even a skit idea of depicting the trophy as a housewife in an apron was rejected by the authorities. O’Brien also mentioned that he had to cut some of his jokes at the last minute before the Oscars ceremony began, as he felt some of them were not appropriate or did not resonate well with him at that moment.
Despite having to make adjustments to his material right up until showtime, O’Brien managed to deliver a humorous monologue at the Oscars that took jabs at celebrities like Timothée Chalamet and featured a cameo from Adam Sandler. O’Brien emphasized the preparations and hard work that went into crafting his jokes and ensuring a successful performance, highlighting the excitement and anticipation he felt as he took the stage in front of a receptive audience.
During the Oscars ceremony, O’Brien humorously trolled Chalamet by commenting on his appearance and his infamous bike incident at a London premiere. O’Brien also made quips about Chalamet being nominated for his portrayal of Bob Dylan, joking that Dylan wanted to be at the ceremony but not enough to attend. These playful jabs added to the light-hearted and comical atmosphere of the event, showcasing O’Brien’s talent for incorporating humor into his hosting duties.
Overall, O’Brien’s experience hosting the Oscars provided insight into the rigorous guidelines set by the Academy for handling and showcasing the Oscar statuette. Despite facing challenges in finalizing his jokes for the ceremony, O’Brien managed to deliver a successful monologue that entertained the audience and featured humorous moments targeting celebrities like Timothée Chalamet. O’Brien’s ability to adjust and refine his material on the spot demonstrated his expertise as a comedic host, making for an enjoyable and entertaining Oscars broadcast.
