Conan O'Brien's Hilarious Hosting Dominates 98th Academy Awards
The 98th Academy Awards, held on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California, was a night filled with memorable moments, led by host Conan O'Brien's uproarious performance. With films like Ryan Coogler's vampire thriller Sinners leading the nominations with a record-breaking 16 nods, followed by Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another with 13, the ceremony showcased both cinematic excellence and comedic brilliance.
O'Brien's Opening Skit Sets the Tone
Conan O'Brien kicked off the evening with a side-splitting skit where he transformed into the villain Aunt Gladys from the film Weapons. Donning a red fright wig, white makeup, smeared red lipstick, and glasses, O'Brien was chased by screaming children through scenes from nominated movies like Marty Supreme, Hamnet, and Sinners, all set to the Beastie Boys' Sabotage. His quip to Stellan Skarsgård, "I can't believe I learned Norwegian for this," after their Sentimental Value scene, drew laughs from the audience.
O'Brien didn't shy away from topical humor, making the first of many AI-related jokes by declaring, "I'm honoured to be the last human host of the Academy Awards." He also poked fun at former President Donald Trump, referencing the "Small Penis Theatre" and Trump's habit of putting his name on buildings like the Kennedy Center.
Fashion Highlights and Lowlights
The red carpet was a spectacle of style, with several standout looks. Demi Moore in Gucci, Teyana Taylor in Chanel, and Nicole Kidman in Louis Vuitton all wore stunning feathered gowns, earning praise for their elegance. Jessie Buckley shone in a red top and pink skirt by Chanel, while Renate Reinsve captivated in a strapless, asymmetrical red gown with a slit by Nicolas Ghesquière for Louis Vuitton. Emma Stone turned heads in a backless, empire-waisted silver gown by Louis Vuitton, proving that silver can outshine gold.
However, not all fashion choices were hits. Kristen Wiig's jeweled black tank top and matching skirt with a puffy waist by Ellie Saab were criticized for not flattering her slim frame. Lewis Pullman confused attendees with a blend of a cravat and tie, resembling a neck injury. Timothée Chalamet's all-white tuxedo, shirt, tie, and boots by Sarah Burton for Givenchy drew ridicule, especially after his controversial comments dismissing opera and ballet.
Emotional Tributes and Performances
The ceremony featured heartfelt moments, including Billy Crystal honoring his late best friend, Rob Reiner. Crystal reminisced about meeting Reiner in 1975 on All in the Family and praised his directorial debut, Spinal Tap, saying, "The comedy was turned up to 11." He was joined on stage by actors from Reiner's films, such as Demi Moore and Kiefer Sutherland, ending with a touching quote: "Buddy, what fun we had storming the castle."
Rachel McAdams paid tribute to Diane Keaton, Catherine O'Hara, Diane Ladd, and Claudia Cardinale, quoting a Girl Scout song Keaton used to sing on set. Barbra Streisand honored Robert Redford, recalling how he initially turned down his role in The Way We Were before eventually agreeing, and she sang a snippet of the film's theme song.
Musical performances added energy, with I Lied to You, the Oscar-nominated song from Sinners, featuring dozens of guitarists, dancers, and singers like Buddy Guy, Brittany Howard, and Shaboozey, culminating in an appearance by ballerina Misty Copeland.
Comedic and Political Jabs
Jimmy Kimmel presented the best documentary award with a sharp political joke, stating, "As you know there are some countries whose leaders don't support free speech. I'm not at liberty to say which. Let's just leave it at North Korea and CBS." O'Brien continued the humor with a skit where he pretended to win an Oscar, complete with a velvet cape, crown, a blessing from the Pope, Josh Groban singing, and an eagle delivering the award.
Despite some misses, like presenter pairings such as Anne Wintour and Anne Hathaway falling flat, the 98th Oscars was a celebration of film, fashion, and comedy, with Conan O'Brien's hosting leaving a lasting impression.
