In a surprising announcement, Conan O’Brien has been tapped to host the 97th Academy Awards on March 2, 2025. This marks a big shift in the tone of Hollywood’s biggest night. Could we finally see an Oscars without the endless political jabs? O’Brien is known for steering clear of politics, a stark contrast to previous hosts like Jimmy Kimmel, who made political commentary a central theme in his hosting stints.
The end of political commentary?
With O’Brien’s hosting debut at the Oscars, many are wondering if this will signal the end of the political commentary that has dominated the event in recent years. Conan is famously apolitical. This is a stark departure from the usual late-night hosts like Kimmel, Colbert, and Meyers. These hosts frequently use their platforms to bash former President Donald Trump. O’Brien has voiced his frustration with this trend. He’s been outspoken about how political jokes can miss the mark. He isn’t afraid to say so.
In 2023, Conan shared his thoughts on Trump jokes, saying, “What a lot of people have to revert to is: ‘Doesn’t he suck? I hate that guy. He’s an a******,’ and those aren’t jokes.” This attitude suggests that O’Brien won’t be leaning on the typical political humor that has often overshadowed the ceremony in the past.
Jimmy Kimmel’s absence
Jimmy Kimmel, who has hosted the Oscars four times in recent years, will not be returning in 2025. Kimmel’s comedic style has been deeply political. He often takes jabs at Trump and other figures. In 2024, for instance, Kimmel took a swipe at Trump. He read one of the ex-president’s critical Truth Social posts about him live on stage. But this year, Kimmel has passed the torch to O’Brien. He cited the challenge of balancing his late-night show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, with the massive responsibility of hosting the Oscars.
Conan O’Brien’s unique approach
O’Brien’s comedy style is well-known for being quirky, self-deprecating, and apolitical. Unlike other late-night hosts, Conan has rarely ventured into political commentary. While he supported Joe Biden in the 2020 election, O’Brien has made it clear he doesn’t want his comedy to focus on politics. He even stated in 2020, “I’m not a political comedian,” adding that he has “always stayed away from” making politics the centerpiece of his comedy.
His reluctance to delve into political satire is a refreshing change for those tired of the constant political punchlines at Hollywood events.
The state of the Oscars audience
The Academy is hoping that Conan’s lighthearted, non-political approach will help revive the Oscars’ dwindling viewership. In 2014, the ceremony drew over 40 million viewers, but by 2024, that number had dropped to just 19.4 million. The Oscars have struggled to regain their former glory, and many are hoping O’Brien’s hosting will bring a new energy to the event.
Academy’s confidence in Conan
The Academy is confident that Conan is the perfect person to bring excitement and humor back to the Oscars. In a statement, CEO Bill Kramer and president Janet Yang praised O’Brien for his “brilliant humor,” his “love of movies,” and his experience with live television. They also highlighted his ability to connect with audiences, which could help revitalize the awards show.
A different tone for Hollywood’s biggest night?
O’Brien’s hosting will undoubtedly change the tone of the evening. With his dry humor and sharp wit, he’s likely to avoid the heavy political commentary that has overshadowed past Oscars. This is especially important after the heated political climate that followed Trump’s election. Celebrities, especially in Hollywood, have been vocal about their distaste for the former president, often using the Oscars as a platform to air their grievances.
However, just because O’Brien isn’t focused on politics doesn’t mean the night will lack controversial moments. Hollywood stars often use their Oscar speeches to make political statements. In fact, actors like Mark Ruffalo and Rachel Zegler have made headlines for voicing their outspoken political views in recent years.
O’Brien’s relationship with Trump
Interestingly, Conan O’Brien has crossed paths with Donald Trump several times. O’Brien famously invited Trump on his late-night show multiple times. However, their relationship wasn’t without tension. After Trump appeared on Conan in 1997, he stormed off set, claiming O’Brien humiliated him. This incident, which involved O’Brien jokingly asking Trump to empty his pockets, left Trump so angry he vowed never to return. But, of course, Trump did return, proving that time can heal even the most awkward of celebrity spats.
The Oscars’ declining ratings
The Oscars have seen a steady decline in viewership over the years. The 2024 ceremony saw a modest rebound to 19.4 million viewers. However, that’s still a far cry from the 40 million people who tuned in back in 2014. With O’Brien’s lighthearted style and non-political approach, the Academy hopes to tap into a new audience. This audience is tired of the political drama and wants to focus on celebrating the best in film.
Can Conan bring back the glory days?
In 2023, Conan appeared on Kara Swisher’s podcast and made a bold statement: he believes that Donald Trump has “hurt comedy” in a way no one expected. O’Brien explained that Trump’s outrageous behavior made it impossible for comedians to parody him. “You can’t parody something that already has that crazy, irregular shape,” O’Brien said, referring to Trump’s unpredictable nature.
Whether Conan can revive the Oscars’ fading ratings remains to be seen. But if the Academy is hoping for a fresh, fun, and apolitical approach, O’Brien seems like the perfect choice.
