Cover First-time host Conan O'Brien hit it out of the park at the 97th Annual Oscars. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
First-time host Conan O'Brien hit it out of the park at the 97th Annual Oscars. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
1 / 1
From self-deprecating quips to a dazzling musical finale, these were the highlights of Conan O’Brien’s monologue at the 97th Academy Awards
Hosting the Oscars is a huge undertaking that has made many a comedian cower in fear. It's essentially performing stand-up in front of Hollywood's most powerful, while millions watch waiting to judge. Some hosts have nailed it, like Bob Hope with his effortless charm or Ellen DeGeneres with her viral selfie. Others weren’t as lucky. The pressure is immense: be funny, but not offensive; irreverent, but not too mean. Enter Conan O’Brien, a late-night legend, who took the 2025 Oscars stage armed with sharp humour, self-deprecation, and just the right amount of roasting—walking the fine line between satire and celebration like the seasoned pro that he is.
Read more: The 2025 Oscar Awards: Who's winning so far
A self-deprecating opening
Conan O'Brien wasted no time setting the tone, poking fun at himself in his first few lines. “A Complete Unknown. A Real Pain. Nosferatu. These are just some of the names I was called on the red carpet,” he joked, cleverly weaving in references to this year’s nominees while taking a playful jab at his signature pale complexion and status among Hollywood A-listers.
This risky but well-timed dig at Karla Sofía Gascón
The 2025 Oscars was much anticipated and talked about for many reasons, from its astounding roster of nominees to its controversial attendees. O’Brien proved he wasn’t afraid to wade into controversy, addressing the recent resurfacing of actress Karla Sofía Gascón’s old inflammatory tweets. With Gascón in the audience, he delivered a joke that balanced sharpness with just enough restraint to land with both gasps and laughter—showing why he’s one of the best at tackling tricky topics without derailing the mood.
Roasting Adam Sandler’s 2025 Oscars look
Adam Sandler’s love for dressing down at formal events has become its own Hollywood tradition, and O’Brien took full advantage. Spotting Sandler in his usual hoodie-and-shorts ensemble, he said, “You are dressed like a guy who plays video poker at 2 AM, Adam.” Sandler, never one to take himself too seriously, played along, leading to one of the night’s most effortlessly funny moments.
A heartfelt nod to Hollywood’s unsung heroes
Between the laughs, O’Brien took a moment to acknowledge the resilience of Los Angeles, particularly in the wake of recent wildfires. He paid tribute to the behind-the-scenes workers who keep the industry running, from set designers to lighting crews, in a rare but well-placed moment of sincerity that reminded everyone of the real magic behind the movies.
A musical finale that brought the house down
In classic late-night fashion, O’Brien wrapped up with a show-stopping musical number featuring some of the year’s most recognisable characters—including, unexpectedly, the Dune sandworm and Deadpool. The absurdity of it all only added to the fun, ending his monologue on a high note and setting an energetic tone for the rest of the night.
If there were any doubts about whether Conan O’Brien could pull off his 2025 Oscars hosting gig (he was so openly nervous about it, too), they were put to rest by the time the monologue ended—proving once again why he remains one of the sharpest comedians in the business.
T-Labs is Tatler Asia’s in-house content hub, dedicated to delivering high-quality editorial content for TatlerAsia.com’s readers across our diverse markets. Combining deep local insights with a global perspective, T-Labs produces compelling stories that inform, inspire and engage.
