Conan O'Brien Is Set to Return As Host For the Oscars in 2026
In an exciting announcement, comedian and late-night television legend Conan O'Brien is set to return as the host of the Academy Awards in 2026.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences confirmed on Monday that O'Brien will once again emcee Hollywood's biggest night, marking his second time as host for the prestigious event.
O'Brien, who previously hosted the 2025 Oscars, left a lasting impression on audiences.
His performance during the 95th Academy Awards telecast was widely praised, bringing in a whopping 19.7 million U.S. viewers—making it the highest-rated Oscars telecast in five years, according to broadcaster ABC.
His sharp wit, comedic timing, and ability to keep the audience engaged earned him widespread acclaim, with many calling it one of the best Oscar hosting performances in recent memory.
In a statement from the Academy, O'Brien joked, "The only reason I'm hosting the Oscars next year is that I want to hear Adrien Brody finish his speech," referencing the lengthy acceptance speech (a whopping 5 minutes and 36 seconds) given by Brody when he won the Best Actor Oscar for his role in The Brutalist.
His humor was a key part of his hosting style at the 2025 Oscars, blending sharp, self-deprecating jokes with moments of heart and genuine enthusiasm for the films and stars being celebrated. It's no surprise the Academy invited him back for another turn at the helm.
"I'm excited to have his talents back onstage next year to helm another indelible performance," said Craig Erwich, President of Disney Television Group.
Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan, who served as executive producers for the 2025 Oscars, will also return for a third consecutive year in the same roles.
Their expertise, along with O'Brien's unmatched charisma, promises to make the 98th Academy Awards, set for March 15, 2026, another memorable night in the annals of Hollywood history.
Fans are undoubtedly eager for his return in 2026, as the Academy looks to continue the success of its recent Oscar ceremonies.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Express Tribune
Immerse yourself into 'The Matrix'
In a Los Angeles theatre, a trench coat-wearing Neo bends backwards to dodge bullets that spiral over the viewer's head, as the sound of gunfire erupts from everywhere. This new immersive experience is designed to be a red pill moment that will get film fans off their couches at a time when the movie industry is desperate to bring back audiences, as reported by AFP. Cosm, which has venues in Los Angeles and Dallas, is launching its dome-style screen and 3D sets in June with a "shared reality" version of The Matrix, the cult 1999 film starring Keanu Reeves as a man who suddenly learns his world is a fiction. "We believe the future will be more immersive and more experiential," said Cosm president Jeb Terry at a recent preview screening. "It's trying to create an additive, a new experience, ideally non-cannibalistic, so that the industry can continue to thrive across all formats." Cinema audiences were already dwindling when the Covid-19 pandemic broke out, shuttering theaters at a time when streaming was exploding. With ever bigger and better TVs available for the home, the challenge for theater owners is to offer something that film buffs cannot get in their living room. Prestige projects like Tom Cruise's Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning or Christopher Nolan's Oscar-winning Oppenheimer increasingly opt for the huge screens and superior film quality of IMAX. But Cosm and other projects like it want to go one step further, collaborating with designers who have worked with Cirque du Soleil to create an environment in which the viewer feels like they are inside the film. For filmmakers, it's all about how you place the cameras and where you capture the sound, said Jay Rinsky, founder of Little Cinema, a creative studio specialising in immersive experiences. "We create sets like the Parisian opera, let the movie be the singer, follow the tone, highlight the emotions through light, through production design, through 3D environments," he said. The approach, he said, felt particularly well suited to The Matrix, which he called "a masterpiece of cinema, but done as a rectangle." For the uninitiated: Reeves's Neo is a computer hacker who starts poking around in a life that doesn't quite seem to fit. A mysterious Laurence Fishburne offers him a blue pill that will leave him where he is, or a red pill that will show him he is a slave whose body is being farmed by AI machines while his conscious lives in a computer simulation. There follows much gunfire, lots of martial arts and some mysticism, along with a romance between Neo and Trinity, played by the leather-clad Carrie-Anne Moss. The Matrix in shared reality kicks off with a choice of cocktails – blue or red, of course – which are consumed as the audience sits surrounded by high-definition screens. Shifting perspectives place the viewer inside Neo's office cubicle, or seemingly in peril. "They're sometimes inside the character's head," said Rinsky. "The world changes as you look up and down for trucks coming at you." The result impressed those who were at the preview screening. "It just did feel like an experience," influencer Vince Rossi told AFP. "It almost feels like you're at a theme park for a movie."
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Express Tribune
Kylie Jenner flaunts suitcase packed with Knicks merchandise for courtside date night with Timothée Chalamet
Kylie Jenner has taken her courtside style to a new level, revealing a Knicks-themed suitcase packed with New York Knicks merchandise and high-end fashion ahead of her latest date night with Timothée Chalamet. Among the items shown on her Instagram Stories was a rare, cobalt blue Hermès Birkin Kelly 25 handbag that she carried to the game with Chalamet, as well as a pair of pointed white mules and several Knicks graphic tees. Photo: Instagram Most notably, Jenner included lingerie in the team's colours, adding a playful nod to her fashion commitment and fuelling further interest in her relationship with the Oscar-nominated actor. Jenner and Chalamet, who have made multiple public appearances together at NBA games, continue to draw attention for their coordinated style and chemistry. Despite flying to Indiana for the playoff game, the pair weren't able to bring luck to the team, with the Knicks losing to the Pacers, who secured their first NBA Finals spot in 25 years. Still, they appeared in good spirits, sharing affectionate moments throughout the night. Chalamet, wearing a custom leather outfit by NAHMIAS, complemented Jenner's polished aesthetic, making the duo one of the most watched celebrity couples on and off the court.
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Express Tribune
Ethan Hawke returns as The Grabber in Blumhouse's 'The Black Phone 2'
Blumhouse has released the official trailer and poster for The Black Phone 2, the sequel to its global supernatural horror hit. The reveal was made on June 1 at the CCXP Festival in Mexico City. Directed once again by Scott Derrickson, the follow-up to the 2022 film continues the haunting story of The Grabber. Photo: Blumhouse Ethan Hawke reprises his chilling role as The Grabber, returning to menace Finn (Mason Thames) from beyond the grave. This time, his vengeful focus expands to Finn's younger sister, Gwen, portrayed by Madeleine McGraw. The story deepens the supernatural threat as the past continues to torment the present. Joining the returning cast are Oscar nominee Demián Bichir as the camp supervisor, Arianna Rivas as his niece, and Miguel Mora as the brother of one of The Grabber's former victims. Jeremy Davies also returns as Finn and Gwen's troubled father, Terrence. New additions include Maev Beaty and Graham Abbey. The film is written by Scott Derrickson and C. Robert Cargill, based on characters created by Joe Hill, and produced by Jason Blum, Derrickson, and Cargill, with Adam Hendricks and Ryan Turek serving as executive producers. The Black Phone 2 is scheduled for theatrical release on October 17, 2025.
