Conan O’Brien Will Host the 2026 Oscars—With One Hilarious Condition

Conan O’Brien is set to return to the Oscars stage in 2026, but with a special condition. He stated, "The only reason I’m hosting the Oscars next year is that I want to hear Adrien Brody finish his speech." O’Brien made this humorous remark on Monday, March 17.

This comment touches on a recent incident involving Adrien Brody, who was interrupted during his acceptance speech for Best Actor. Brody, who won for his role in "The Brutalist," continued speaking even when the music began, requesting the music to stop to deliver his complete thoughts.

On the same day, The Academy and ABC announced O’Brien’s return as host for the second consecutive year. Craig Erwich, president of Disney Television Group, expressed his enthusiasm in a statement following the announcement. "Conan’s unique comedic style perfectly captured the moment," he stated, "and I’m excited to have his talents back onstage next year to helm another indelible performance."

Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang also released a statement praising O’Brien's strength as a host. "This year, they produced a hugely entertaining and visually stunning show that celebrated our nominees and the global film community," they noted. They highlighted O’Brien’s ability to guide the evening with humor and warmth.

O’Brien previously hosted the Oscars on March 2, attracting a sizeable live audience of 19.7 million viewers. This figure confirmed the event as the highest-rated entertainment awards show of 2025.

Since his commendable performance, O’Brien has discussed his hosting experience in various forums. He revealed some jokingly cut bits from his opening monologue. He mentioned that particular jokes about the Oscar statuette faced restrictions. "At one point, I thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be great if it’s just on the couch?’" O’Brien reminisced during his March 13 podcast episode, "Conan Needs a Friend." He humorously suggested setting the statuette on a couch when eventually informed by an Academy representative, "Oscar can never be horizontal," which left him astonished.

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