After a harrowing, Weapons-style chase to the Dolby Theater, Oscars host Conan O’Brien made it to the stage to deliver a monologue that pokes fun at some of the hottest topics in Hollywood, including AI.
Conan O’Brien channels ‘Weapons’ Aunt Gladys in glorious Oscars cold open
“I am honored to be the last human host of the Academy Awards,” O’Brien said to start his monologue. “Next year it’s going to be a Waymo in a tux.”
O’Brien also threw shade at Timothée Chalamet’s recent viral comments about opera and ballet, saying there was increased security at the Oscars due to “concerns about attacks from both the opera and ballet communities.”
O’Brien’s monologue also gestured towards political unrest, albeit vaguely.
“If I could be serious for just a moment, everyone watching right now around the world is all too aware that these are very chaotic, frightening times. It’s at moments like these that I believe that the Oscars are particularly resonant,” O’Brien said. “Check it out. Thirty-one countries across six continents are represented this evening, and every film we salute is the product of thousands of people speaking different languages, working hard to make something of beauty. We pay tribute tonight, not just to film, but to the ideals of global artistry, collaboration, patience, resilience, and that rarest of qualities today, optimism.”
Things didn’t stay too serious for long, though, as O’Brien closed the monologue with a reenactment of what it would look like if he won an Oscar. Spoiler alert: It involves the Pope, Josh Groban, and a falcon carrying his trophy down to him.
Watch O’Brien’s full monologue above.
Mashable’s covering all things Oscars 2026, from Academy Awards live updates to red carpet style and the wildest moments from the show. Check back at Mashable.com throughout the night for winners announcements and more.
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