Conan O’Brien Playfully Jabs Timothée Chalamet Before Sharing a Message of Hope During Oscar’s Opening Monologue
In his opening monologue at the Oscars this evening, host Conan O’Brien addressed pressing global issues, including artificial intelligence, worldwide strife, and highlighted actor Timothée Chalamet.
“Security is extremely tight tonight,” O’Brien remarked, adding, “I’m told there are concerns about attacks from both the opera and ballet communities.” He then delivered a punchline, joking that Chalamet “left out jazz.” The cameras quickly shifted to Chalamet, who was seen smiling in the audience, dressed in a white suit.
This quip followed a pre-taped segment where O’Brien appeared in character as Aunt Gladys from the film Weapons, engaging in various humorous interactions with Chalamet and other celebrities. O’Brien portrayed a comedic ping-pong match, made appearances in Hamnet, F1, and Sentimental Value, and participated in a spirited rendition of “Danny Boy” alongside the cast of Sinners, all while evading the rambunctious children from Weapons.
Chalamet, nominated for Best Actor for his role in the ping-pong themed film Marty Supreme, has been a trending topic since his comment that “nobody cared anymore about ballet and opera.” His remarks garnered significant backlash, leading to discussions about the subsequent reactions.
In his second consecutive year as host, O’Brien deftly navigated the minefield of current events, demonstrating a blend of cleverness and humor that eased any concerns about a sophomore downturn. He thanked Weapons‘ Amy Madigan for lending him the Aunt Gladys look, which mirrored his typical appearance, and quipped that he might be the Oscars’ last human host, marking the first mention of AI during the night.
Continuing with topical humor, O’Brien recounted his experience hosting the previous year’s ceremony amid chaotic conditions, quipping, “But this year, everything’s going great.”
“I should warn you,” O’Brien stated, “tonight could get political, okay, and if that makes you uncomfortable, there’s an alternate Oscars being hosted by Kid Rock at the Dave & Busters down the street,” referencing Kid Rock’s controversial Super Bowl Halftime Show for the MAGA audience.
O’Brien then turned to a Hollywood insider joke, noting Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos was present. “It’s his first time in a theater!” he exclaimed, impersonating an evil Sarandos, saying, “Why are they all together enjoying themselves? They should be home alone, where I can monetize it!” Sarandos laughed in the audience, appearing to appreciate the light-hearted jab.
From there, O’Brien took jabs at some of the year’s standout films. He mentioned, “Between Hamnet and Bugonia, it’s been a big year for movies that sound like off-brand lunch meat.” He quipped that the beginning of Hamnet included a message indicating that Hamnet and Hamlet were used interchangeably, leading him to prepare for a wild ride.
Reflecting on F1, O’Brien joked, “It’s the story of a race car driver who finally wins after deciding to go faster.” Turning to Sinners, he stated that director Ryan Coogler declined to join the Academy due to his hesitance in judging fellow artists, addressing the audience with, “But the rest of you pricks seem to love it.” He also referenced memorable scenes from One Battle After Another, highlighting a scene that featured Best Supporting Actor nominee Sean Penn.
After several more humorous remarks, O’Brien adopted a more serious tone. “If I can be serious for just a moment,” he began, “everyone watching right now, around the world, is all too aware that these are very chaotic, frightening times.” He emphasized the significance of the Oscars, stating that “thirty-one countries across six continents are represented this evening.” O’Brien remarked that each film celebrated is the culmination of diverse voices striving to create beauty.
He concluded with a poignant message: “So let us celebrate not because we think all is well, but because we work and hope for better in the days ahead.”
