98th Oscars 2026: Conan O’Brien Hosts – Winners & Highlights

The 98th Academy Awards concluded Sunday night with Conan O’Brien at the helm for the second consecutive year, delivering a monologue that navigated the increasingly unusual landscape surrounding the industry and its stars.

This year’s ceremony, held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, wasn’t simply about celebrating cinematic achievement. The lead-up was marked by a series of off-screen narratives that injected a peculiar energy into the awards season. From Timothée Chalamet’s comments regarding the financial viability of the arts to a surprisingly vocal debate about feline affection, the cultural conversation surrounding the Oscars felt distinctly…off-kilter.

O’Brien wasted little time addressing the elephant in the room, or rather, the perceived slight to the performing arts. He playfully jabbed at Chalamet, who recently faced criticism for suggesting that ballet and opera were struggling due to lack of public interest. According to reports, O’Brien quipped, “They’re just mad you left out jazz,” prompting a smile from the actor in the audience. The exchange stemmed from remarks Chalamet made during a town hall event in February, where he expressed concern for movie theaters although seemingly downplaying the importance of other art forms.

The comedian’s opening wasn’t limited to playful ribbing. He likewise acknowledged the “very chaotic, frightening times” while maintaining a lighthearted tone, a balancing act that has become increasingly common for awards display hosts. O’Brien highlighted the global reach of filmmaking, noting that 31 countries across six continents were represented in the nominated films. “Every film we salute is a product of thousands of people speaking different languages, working hard to make something of beauty,” he stated, emphasizing the collaborative and resilient nature of the industry.

Beyond the specific jokes, O’Brien’s presence itself felt significant. As noted by the Associated Press, he opened the show by declaring himself “the last human host of the Academy Awards,” a tongue-in-cheek comment that alluded to growing anxieties about the role of artificial intelligence in entertainment. This wasn’t a recent theme for O’Brien, who has consistently used his platform to comment on the changing media landscape.

The choice of O’Brien as host signals a deliberate attempt by the Academy to inject a dose of traditional comedic sensibility into a ceremony often criticized for being overly earnest or politically charged. His brand of self-deprecating humor and observational wit offers a contrast to the more polished and often carefully curated presentations favored by some previous hosts. His return for a second year suggests the Academy was pleased with the results, and sees value in his approach.

Security was notably tight at this year’s awards, with concerns reportedly originating from the opera and ballet communities – a detail O’Brien playfully incorporated into his opening remarks. This heightened security reflects a broader trend of increased vigilance at high-profile events, but the specific source of the concern adds another layer of intrigue to the already unusual circumstances surrounding the 98th Academy Awards.

While the awards themselves represent the culmination of years of work for filmmakers and performers, the surrounding narratives – the playful jabs, the unexpected controversies, and the underlying anxieties about the future of the industry – often prove to be just as compelling. Conan O’Brien’s performance as host served as a focal point for these narratives, offering a blend of humor, observation, and a subtle acknowledgment of the challenges facing the entertainment world today.

The ceremony’s success, however, will likely be judged not just on the quality of the jokes, but on its ability to resonate with a wider audience and reaffirm the cultural importance of cinema in an era of rapidly evolving media consumption. The fact that O’Brien felt compelled to joke about being the “last human host” speaks volumes about the anxieties within the industry, and the need to uncover a balance between embracing innovation and preserving the human element at the heart of storytelling.