Conan O'Brien To Host The 2025 Oscars

By Ryan Schwartz
Conan O'Brien to Host 97th Academy Awards — 2025 Oscars Airdate on ABC Courtesy of Team Coco

Conan O'Brien is returning to network television, for one night only, as host of the 97th Academy Awards on ABC.

"We are thrilled and honored to have the incomparable Conan O'Brien host the Oscars this year," Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang said in a statement Friday. "He is the perfect person to help lead our global celebration of film with his brilliant humor, his love of movies, and his live TV expertise. His remarkable ability to connect with audiences will bring viewers together to do what the Oscars do best — honor the spectacular films and filmmakers of this year."

Added O'Brien: "America demanded it and now it's happening: Taco Bell's new Cheesy Chalupa Supreme. In other news, I'm hosting the Oscars."

O'Brien is no stranger to hosting award shows: He previously presided over the 2002 and 2006 Emmys, as well as the 2014 MTV Movie Awards. As host of the Oscars, he succeeds fellow late-night star Jimmy Kimmel, who lorded over the previous two telecasts, in 2023 and 2024, and also hosted in 2017 and 2018.

Kimmel's most recent hosting stint drew a four-year high in viewers, with nearly 20 million tuned in to see Oppenheimer win Best Picture (but really, to see Ryan Gosling perform "I'm Just Ken"). He ultimately turned down a chance to return for a third consecutive year, while comedian John Mulaney was also said to be in the running.

O'Brien, a five-time Emmy winner, served as host of NBC's Late Night (1993-2009) and The Tonight Show (2009-2010), as well as TBS' Conan (2010-2021). In addition to his popular podcast "Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend," the funnyman currently hosts the Emmy-nominated Max travelogue Conan O'Brien Must Go, which is awaiting a Season 2 premiere date.

The O'Brien-led Oscars will air live Sunday, March 2, 2025, at 7 pm ET/4 pm PT on ABC; a red carpet show will precede the annual kudoscast, beginning at 6:30/5:30c. Nominations will be announced Friday, Jan. 17.

Have thoughts on O'Brien hosting the Oscars? Drop 'em in a comment below.

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