The 97th annual Academy Awards ceremony is just two weeks away. It’s the special night when Hollywood celebrates its film excellence—a tradition that has its roots in a millionaire’s idea to control workers. Conan OBrien Oscars will bring a unique twist to this iconic event.
This time around, the ceremony will be hosted by none other than Conan OBrien, known for his quirky sense of humor. So it’s entirely possible that we’ll see an Oscar handed out by a man dressed as a horned bear. Though his plans will be revealed only on March 2, a media report has indicated that this year’s show could be more sensitive and emotional than expected.4
A host sculpted for the moment.
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) February 10, 2025
Watch @ConanOBrien host the #Oscars LIVE Sunday, March 2 at 7e/4p on ABC and Hulu. pic.twitter.com/xJzpTbVO4v
Personal loss casts a shadow over OBrien Oscar hosting
An unnamed source told Closer Weekly that Conan O’Brien’s upcoming Oscars performance will be deeply affected by his recent personal tragedies. In particular, the tragic death of his parents three days apart in December could have a profound effect on his hosting style and emotional performance.
According to the source, “The sudden death of his parents was not only a personal blow, but it also came at a time when Conan was gearing up for his first Oscar hosting gig and was still creatively wrapping up everything.”
The Los Angeles Fire and its profound effect on O’Brien’s Oscar show
The devastating fire in Los Angeles has also had a profound effect on Conan O’Brien’s Oscar show. An unnamed “insider” informed Closer that, “Conan and his family have been relocating repeatedly since the fire. He is feeling the pressure of this situation on his Oscar hosting duties.”
The source further added that O’Brien wants to turn the show into “a love letter to the people of Los Angeles”, which is why he is “shifting the comedy from its usual over-the-top antics to something different, sensitive and emotional.”
The source added, “This is an extremely important moment for Conan, and he will face a lot of difficulties due to these sensitive issues, but he is fully prepared. He has a strong support system to pull this off and make the show a memorable moment in history.”
Meanwhile, the source, who may or may not be a foul-mouthed rubber dog puppet, also added the claim that Conan has the strength and mentality to help him overcome this challenge.
Doubts about Closer Weekly’s reporting and O’Brien’s personal view
It’s worth noting that Closer Weekly is the same outlet that once spoke to an unnamed source who claimed Chevy Chase is “no longer a nerd”. Considering this kind of reporting, it should probably be taken with a grain of salt**.
While it’s true that Conan O’Brien has confessed that he’s unsure about “figuring out the right tone for the show”, he also went on Good Morning America to say that it’s “a difficult time”. But, he was only referring to the fire and national political tensions. He has not expressed any personal hesitations or reservations about hosting the show due to his parent’s death.
When O’Brien recently appeared in promotional interviews for the Oscars, he was his usual goofy and light-hearted self, joking about how he’s **training to host the show *“shirtless and oiled up”*.
O’Brien’s emotional and humorous balance: An example of humor after tragedy
This doesn’t mean that Conan O’Brien won’t be emotional or sincere during the Oscar telecast, but it seems he will be toning down his “pranks” a bit. A great example of O’Brien’s approach to humor after tragedy can be seen in his Late Night episode that aired immediately after 9/11.
In his first episode back on the air, O’Brien used his opening monologue to make a serious appeal to the audience. He urged them to “not fall into pessimism in any way”, making it clear that O’Brien wanted to maintain a positive and inspiring outlook after the tragedy, while also keeping his comedic style.
O’Brien’s comedic role: Silly relief despite tragedy
But the next day, O’Brien opted to air a pre-filmed, undoubtedly silly remote piece that featured him attending truck-driving school. During the episode, he admitted that “it’s almost impossible to figure out ways to make people laugh in these tough times”. He also suggested that the segment might “lift people’s spirits”, because “it’s nothing, it’s just silly.”
This is a good example of O’Brien’s approach to humor, where he attempts to give the audience a light and relaxing experience by resorting to his comedic style even in serious situations.
If Conan’s usual way of coping is through pure silliness, why would we expect anything different at the Oscars? His knack for humor, even during tough times, is just part of who he is. So it’s safe to say we can expect him to bring that same energy to the stage.