Conan O’Brien was on internet hosting duties for the primary time at this 12 months’s Academy Awards, which occurred on the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood final night time (March 2).
After a skit that noticed him pay homage to The Substance by climbing out of Demi Moore’s physique in his dressing room, O’Brien delivered a assured monologue that poked light enjoyable on the nominees and himself. For instance: “A Full Unknown, A Actual Ache, Nosferatu – these have been simply a few of the names I used to be known as on the crimson carpet”. On The Brutalist, he mentioned: “I didn’t need it to finish… and fortunately it didn’t.”
The opening additionally featured a number of skits, some on the surreal aspect. He promised to usher off stage these with over-long speeches by reducing to an un-impressed John Lithgow, and confirmed some previous headshots of the nominees, of which Timothee Chalamet’s was an ultrascan picture. He completed the monologue with a musical sequence known as ‘I Gained’t Waste Time’ that included a sandworm from Dune: Half Two enjoying the piano.
He saved his finest gags for halfway by means of the telecast. Firstly, referencing this 12 months’s Tremendous Bowl, he mentioned: “We’re midway by means of the present which suggests it’s time for Kendrick Lemar to return out and name Drake a paedophile!”
Later, noting the slew of awards for Anora, he delivered his onw Donald Trump joke of the night time: “I suppose People are excited to see somebody lastly stand as much as a strong Russian”.
The ceremony kicked off with a montage paying tribute to Los Angeles, of which swathes have been devastated by wildfires earlier this 12 months, together with clips of well-known Los Angeles-set movies together with Chinatown and As soon as Upon A Time In Hollywood. Members of the fireplace service later joined O’Brien on stage to a standing ovation, earlier than studying out some jokes the host mentioned have been “too controversial” for him to say (“Our hearts exit to all those that have misplaced their houses – and I’m speaking concerning the producers of Joker 2”).
O’Brien additionally had not one however two gags about Emilia Perez star Karla Sofia Gascon, in attendance regardless of the controversy round her previous social media posts. He mentioned: ”Anora makes use of the F-word 479 occasions… that’s three extra occasions than the report set by Karla Sofia Gascon’s publicist”, earlier than including: “Karla, if you wish to tweet concerning the Oscars tonight, my title is [previous host] Jimmy Kimmel”.
Bond tribute
Halle Berry hailed outgoing James Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson (awarded honorary accolades at November’s Governors Awards) forward of a lavish Bond tribute musical sequence, that includes Margaret Qualley dancing and Lisa, Doja Cat and Raye performing varied Bond tunes.
Berry mentioned: “I had the pleasure of working with Barbara and Michael on Die One other Day and let me let you know – they don’t simply produce Bond films, they have been the center and soul of this franchise for many years.”
Morgan Freeman started the ’in memorium’ phase by paying tribute to his Unforgiven and Beneath Suspicion co-star Gene Hackman, who died final week: “Our group misplaced an enormous and I misplaced a pricey buddy”, mentioned Freeman. “Gene at all times mentioned ‘I don’t take into consideration legacy, I simply hope individuals bear in mind me who tried to do good work’.” Different stars remembered included David Lynch, Maggie Smith and James Earl Jones.
Malfunctioning carry
Probably the most creative skits of the night time noticed Ben Stiller current the manufacturing design award from a malfunctioning carry. “Manufacturing design brings the visible world of a screenplay to life, it’s a discipline the place the slightest miscalculation can lose the belief of the viewers and humiliate the performers onscreen”, he deadpanned.
In direction of the tip of the night, two iconic duos additionally took to the stage.
Firstly, The Color Purple co-stars Oprah Winfrey and Whoopi Goldberg reunited to pay tribute to seven-time Oscar nominee Quincy Jones, who died aged 91 in November. “After we discuss Black excellence, we discuss Quincy,” mentioned Goldberg.
Lastly, When Harry Met Sally… duo Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan teamed as much as current finest image, with O’Brien describing Crystal as “the perfect ever Oscars host”. Crystal mentioned: “It’s nice to be again as a result of I used to work right here… it was 9 tuxedos in the past.”
Anora led the winners on the night time, gathering 5 awards together with finest image, finest director and finest actress.