Conan O’Brien Opens 98th Oscars with Jabs at Industry and Political Commentary

Conan O’Brien hosted the 98th Academy Awards, delivering a monologue that blended industry satire with pointed, though not overtly explosive, political commentary. The ceremony, held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, saw Amy Madigan win the first award of the night – Best Supporting Actress – shortly after O’Brien debuted a disguise as her villainous character, Aunt Gladys, from the nominated film “Weapons.”

A Night of Jabs and Allusions

O’Brien’s opening acknowledged the tense geopolitical climate, referencing the previous year’s events and the current state of affairs. He began by noting that while Los Angeles was “on fire” last year, “this year? Everything’s going great.” This was an allusion to the ongoing conflicts, including the kidnapping of Venezuelan President Maduro by US special forces and the February attack on Iran, which have led to a state of war for the United States CNN.

Security Concerns and a Timothée Chalamet Joke

Security at the Oscars was notably strict this year, prompting O’Brien to quip, “I’ve been told there are concerns about attacks from both the opera and ballet worlds.” This joke stemmed from recent controversy surrounding Timothée Chalamet’s remarks about the arts, where he expressed concern about supporting art forms he believed lacked public interest Los Angeles Times. O’Brien playfully suggested Chalamet might be to blame for “skipping the jazz.”

A Political Jab at Donald Trump

O’Brien also took a subtle jab at former President Donald Trump, stating, “I should warn you, tonight could get political, okay and if that makes you uncomfortable, there’s an alternative Oscars hosted by Kid Rock at Dave & Busters down the street.” This was a reference to the MAGA movement’s alternative halftime present during the Super Bowl, organized in response to Latino artist Terrible Bunny’s performance Los Angeles Times.

Award Highlights

Beyond the opening monologue, the 98th Academy Awards saw Ryan Coogler win Best Original Screenplay for “Sinners,” and Paul Thomas Anderson take home the Adapted Screenplay award for “One Battle After Another.” Both films are contenders for the Best Picture award CNN. Sean Penn won his third career Oscar for Supporting Actor but was not present to accept the award. Rachel McAdams delivered a moving tribute during the In Memoriam segment, honoring Diane Keaton, Catherine O’Hara, and Robert Redford CNN.