Comedian and television host Conan O’Brien returned to lead the prestigious Academy Awards for the second consecutive year, opening the 2026 ceremony with a monologue that blended humour with commentary on current global issues. The event took place at the Dolby Theatre during the 98th edition of the Oscars.
At the beginning of his speech, O’Brien acknowledged what he described as “uncertain and frightening times” around the world. His remarks referenced the tense geopolitical climate involving countries such as Iran, Israel, and the United States. Despite the seriousness of the topic, he suggested that global events like the Oscars can serve as a shared cultural moment that brings people together.
The host then shifted to lighter material, directing jokes toward major streaming companies. O’Brien playfully mocked Netflix, joking that its co-CEO Ted Sarandos might be experiencing a movie theatre for the first time because of the platform’s preference for online releases. He also poked fun at Amazon MGM Studios, humorously questioning why a website known for delivering household items had not won more Oscars.
Artificial intelligence was another topic that made its way into the monologue. O’Brien joked that he might be the final human host of the Academy Awards, suggesting that a self-driving vehicle such as a Waymo could host the show in the future.
One of the night’s biggest laughs came when O’Brien jokingly mentioned security concerns at the ceremony before turning the joke toward Best Actor nominee Timothée Chalamet. Referring to comments the actor had previously made about classical arts, O’Brien quipped that threats might come from opera and ballet fans instead. Cameras then cut to Chalamet laughing in the audience, adding to the lighthearted moment.
The 2026 ceremony marks O’Brien’s second year hosting the Oscars. His debut as host the previous year was widely praised, prompting organisers to invite him back. His return also continues a period of stability for the awards show after several years when the ceremony ran without a host between 2019 and 2021.
With a mix of sharp humour cultural commentary and celebrity jokes, Conan O’Brien’s opening monologue once again set the tone for one of the film industry’s most celebrated nights.
