Shortly after the Oscars ceremony, Conan O’Brien, a first-time host, shared behind-the-scenes insights from the March 2 telecast during a recent episode of his SiriusXM podcast, Conan Needs a Friend.
“Overall, people appeared really pleased with the show,” O’Brien remarked as he delved into the Oscars recap, replacing a standard fan interaction episode this week. “I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, largely because we put in considerable effort to create material that resonated with us.”
Co-hosting with his long-time collaborator Mike Sweeney, O’Brien elaborated on the extensive groundwork laid for the show, including details about sketches that didn’t make it to air, surprising insights from the Academy, and personal reflections on the experience. Here are some key highlights from the podcast episode.
Unexpected Hosting Opportunity
O’Brien disclosed that he received an invitation to host the Oscars in late November, just a day after returning from Spain, where he was filming an episode of Conan O’Brien Must Go. “I told him, ‘I’ll do it, but you’ve got to join me,'” O’Brien recalled saying to Sweeney, who initially burst into laughter. “The situation was quite amusing to us for several reasons,” Sweeney commented, noting their hectic schedules and O’Brien’s illness while abroad. “It really caught us off guard. It felt like receiving an invitation to be the new Miss America—it was utterly unexpected.”
Agreeing to Host Amid Personal Tragedy
Once O’Brien accepted the hosting challenge, HBO Max executives generously allowed him to accommodate the gig within his packed schedule, though they urged him to quickly finish filming another travel show episode. “Just as we were wrapping up in Austria, I received heartbreaking news that my father had passed away,” O’Brien shared, reflecting on a challenging period. “Tragically, while I was home, my mother also passed three days later, creating an incredibly intense experience.” To add to the turmoil, the Los Angeles wildfires prompted O’Brien to evacuate his home, leading him to reside in a hotel.
Innovative ‘Wicked’ Cold Open
The show included an imaginative cold open that pulled inspiration from the film The Substance, in which O’Brien consumed a vibrant green elixir and emerged dramatically from a woman’s back. However, this sequence replaced a more ambitious segment that would have featured O’Brien humorously spoofing top films while being painted green, akin to the musical Wicked. “We had planned to execute it before the fires struck,” Sweeney explained. “Even after we adjusted it, we realized it was too elaborate for the time we had.”
O’Brien envisioned scenes from various films where he would appear green while engaging in their distinctive scenarios, making for a comedic narrative. The idea, ultimately shelved, was superseded by the Academy’s request to start the telecast with a musical tribute to Los Angeles, which showcased stars from Wicked, including Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo.
Academy Insights and Surprising Restrictions
Throughout the episode, O’Brien and Sweeney commended the collaborative spirit of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, ABC, and the production team, while also revealing peculiar restrictions imposed by the Academy. O’Brien noted, “They take certain elements very seriously,” particularly regarding the positioning of the Oscar statuette. He humorously referenced an idea where he and the statue would live together as an apartment couple, only to be told, “Oscar can never be horizontal,” which amused him thoroughly.
A Brush with Rock Royalty
During the Oscars, O’Brien encountered Mick Jagger, who was there to present the award for Best Original Song. “I was seated at stage left, entirely focused on my monitor, when I felt a presence beside me. To my surprise, it was Mick Jagger,” O’Brien recounted. They exchanged casual conversation moments before Jagger took to the stage, revealing his own anxieties about the crowd’s reception. “I was astonished that someone of his caliber still worries about the audience’s energy!” O’Brien remarked, further solidifying Jagger’s relatable nature.
Creative Contributions of Dune’s Iconic Sandworm
The sandworm from Dune 2 made a memorable appearance at the Oscars, performing alongside the orchestra at the piano. O’Brien divulged that the worm was originally set for a more extensive role, including a scene where it would present an Oscar envelope. “We were brainstorming when it dawned on us: the sandworm could be the pianist,” he said. Ultimately, this playful concept added an extra layer of entertainment to the event.
Viral Moments and Collaborative Magic
O’Brien and Sweeney credited their talented writing team for the successful jokes that resonated with viewers, particularly a quip about the ongoing feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar. “I was surprised how popular that joke became,” O’Brien shared, explaining how it sparked conversations with fans even after the show ended. “That bit led to numerous inquiries about its authorship, prompting me to credit Skyler Higley for that clever line.”
Learning Curves and Discarded Material
In preparation for the Oscars, O’Brien experimented with his material at local comedy clubs, carefully requesting audiences not to record his performances. However, he faced challenges due to the crowded awards season, often having to abandon bits that were executed by other hosts. “Once something is performed by someone else, it’s lost for us,” he admitted.
Nostalgia for Oscar Lighting
Reflecting on the experience, O’Brien humorously noted that what he would miss most from the Oscars was the exceptional lighting quality that enhanced his on-screen presence. “I looked in the monitor during rehearsals and thought, ‘Who is that? It can’t be me!'” O’Brien joked, attributing any speculation about possible cosmetic enhancements to the high-quality lighting.
For more insights, be sure to listen to the entire episode of Conan Needs a Friend below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhhillpukQwSource&Images