Academy Awards host Conan O’Brien’s opener at the 2025 Oscars was an extremely welcome return of solid joke writing after way too many hostless or less-than-perfectly hosted Hollywood awards shows. (He and Demi Moore really got into it with that Substance bit up top, huh?)
While there were ups and downs—two somewhat distinct “downs” being a too-corny Amazon bit and a cameo from Adam Sandler that beautifully showcased schmuck style but failed to deliver the laughs—what really stuck out was O’Brien’s well-honed comedic prowess.
On another note, O’Brien’s genuine sincerity when talking about the devastating effect of the recent L.A. wildfires was thoughtful, well timed, and appreciated (especially since the comedian and his family are still displaced from their home as a result of the fires). Still, when he went for comedy, he found it—not surprising, since O’Brien got his start writing for The Simpsons and most definitely knows his way around a well-constructed bit.
Below, find some of O’Brien’s very best lines and bits from the 2025 Oscars:
This whole worm-from-Dune bit:
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“It’s Hollywood’s biggest night…that starts at 4 in the afternoon.”
While pacing with microphone: “I’m walking to show I have control of the stage.”
“Wicked is nominated for 10 awards. It’s a perfect movie for anyone who ever watched The Wizard of Oz, got to the end, and thought, Sure, but where did all the minor characters go to college?”
“I loved The Brutalist. I never wanted it to end, and luckily, it didn’t.”
To Gascón: “Karla, if you tweet about this, just remember: My name is Jimmy Kimmel.”
While introducing nominees: “My two hall passes, Scarlett Johansson and June Squibb”
“Well, we’re halfway through the show, which means it’s time for Kendrick Lamar to come out and call Drake a pedophile.”
“Anora is having a good night. Two wins already. I guess Americans are excited to see somebody finally stand up to a powerful Russian.
“A Complete Unknown…A Real Pain…Nosferatu…these were just some of the names I was called on the red carpet.”
“It’s Ralph Fiennes’s third-time being nominated. If he doesn’t win tonight, we get to call him RALPH.”
“If your acceptance speech goes too long, we’ll cut to John Lithgow in the audience looking, not angry, but slightly disappointed”. (Extra points for actually cutting to Lithgow on this one.)
See all the looks on the 2025 Oscars red carpet here:
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