Conan O’Brien Returns to the Oscars With a Careful Balancing Act Ahead of Sunday’s Show

Conan O’Brien is back at the center of Hollywood’s biggest night, with the comedian set to host the 98th Academy Awards on Sunday, March 15, at 7 p.m. ET. The return marks his second straight turn as emcee, and the clearest message from his final pre-show appearances is that he is aiming for a sharper, more controlled ceremony rather than a chaotic one.

In the days leading up to the telecast, O’Brien has described the job as a constant race to refine jokes, test new material, and find the right tone for a night that has to be funny without feeling detached from the wider moment. That framing has turned him into one of the main storylines heading into the ceremony itself.

Why Conan O’Brien Is Back for a Second Oscars Run

O’Brien’s return follows a 2025 ceremony that helped stabilize the show’s hosting format and gave the Academy a proven live-TV presence at a time when awards broadcasts are still fighting for attention. His style remains a natural fit for the Oscars: polished enough for a formal stage, but loose enough to make the room feel less stiff.

That matters because the Academy has increasingly leaned on familiarity and steadiness for its live broadcasts. O’Brien brings both. He also arrives with decades of experience handling unpredictable television, from late-night monologues to live interviews and improvised comedy.

The result is a host who can work within a tightly produced event while still sounding spontaneous, which is usually the difference between an awards show that feels alive and one that feels overmanaged.

The Main Theme This Week: Finding the Right Tone

More than any specific joke, O’Brien’s pre-show message has centered on balance. He has said the challenge is not simply getting laughs, but acknowledging the mood of the moment without turning the night into something heavy or joyless.

That approach appears to be shaping the monologue and the structure around it. O’Brien has spoken about continuing to workshop material almost until airtime, with the opening expected to mix broader industry humor with a more measured awareness of current events. He has also indicated that some jokes have already been cut because they did not land the way he wanted.

For a host known for absurdity, that restraint is notable. It suggests he sees this year’s job less as a chance to dominate the show and more as a chance to guide it.

Political Jokes Are Not Expected to Drive the Night

One of the most closely watched elements of O’Brien’s return is what he will not do. In recent comments, he signaled that overt political material is unlikely to be a major part of his approach this year, arguing that that style of comedy can tip too easily into anger instead of wit.

That does not mean the show will be apolitical in feel. The Oscars rarely exist in a vacuum, and hosts often have to respond to the atmosphere in the room and outside it. But O’Brien appears determined to avoid turning the monologue into a blunt-force political set.

That decision could appeal to viewers who want the ceremony to stay focused on the films, while still leaving room for topical humor if the moment calls for it.

How He Has Been Preparing for the 98th Academy Awards

O’Brien has said he has been taking material into comedy clubs ahead of the broadcast, using live audiences to gauge rhythm, pacing, and which jokes actually work outside the writers’ room. That process is common for stand-ups, but it is especially useful for the Oscars, where a joke has to land with nominees inside the theater and viewers watching at home.

He has also emphasized that the final hours before the telecast remain fluid. Bits can be added, trimmed, or abandoned altogether. That kind of last-minute editing is part of why the Oscars can still feel risky even when the host is experienced.

In other words, the version of O’Brien that walks onstage Sunday may be the result of dozens of small changes made right up to showtime.

What Viewers Can Expect on Sunday Night

The ceremony will air live from the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, with the official red-carpet coverage beginning before the main broadcast. O’Brien’s role will be central not only in the opening monologue, but in maintaining the tempo of a show that can easily drift if acceptance speeches run long or emotional moments stretch beyond schedule.

This year’s telecast also arrives with the usual pressure points: major nominees, high-profile presenters, and the perpetual question of whether the Oscars can remain culturally relevant as viewing habits keep changing.

That is ultimately why O’Brien matters here. His assignment is bigger than telling jokes. He has to keep the ceremony moving, protect the mood of the room, and make the show feel worth watching live.

The Stakes for Conan O’Brien and the Academy

For O’Brien, a strong second outing would further cement his place as one of the rare modern hosts who can carry a major awards show without making himself the entire story. For the Academy, it would validate the decision to stick with a familiar hand after years of experimentation, uneven formats, and frequent debate over what the Oscars should be.

Sunday night is unlikely to redefine his career, but it could reinforce something Hollywood already seems to believe: when the room needs intelligence, timing, and a little self-awareness, Conan O’Brien is still one of the safest bets on live television.