Movie fans get ready for some laughs with your statues because Conan O'Brien is officially set to host the Oscars again! Yep you heard right the comedian and late-night legend will be back on the Dolby Theatre stage in 2026 for the 98th Academy Awards. And honestly this is some news to get excited about .
Why Conan Again? Oscars Bring Back O'Brien After Ratings Boost and Rave Reviews from Last Ceremony
So why is Conan O'Brien getting the hosting gig again? Well it sounds like the Academy and ABC were pretty happy with how things went last time. The 97th Oscars ceremony which Conan hosted actually saw a ratings jump. They had around 19.7 million viewers which is the best they have done in five years! Plus it did really well with the younger crowd that advertisers want to reach.
People seemed to really dig Conan's hosting style. He is known for his quirky humor and he can keep things light and fun but also respectful which is a tricky balance to strike for the Oscars. The Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Janet Yang even said Conan was "the perfect host — skillfully guiding us through the evening with humor warmth and reverence." High praise indeed!
ABC the network that airs the Oscars is also thrilled to have him back. Craig Erwich president of Disney Television Group said Conan's "unique comedic style perfectly captured the moment" and they are excited for another "indelible performance." Basically everyone seems to agree Conan was a hit and they want to keep that good vibe going.
'I Want to Hear Adrien Brody Finish His Speech' Conan Jokes About Hosting the 2026 Oscars
Conan being Conan he had a funny quote ready when the announcement was made. He joked "The only reason I'm hosting 'The Oscars' next year is that I want to hear Adrien Brody finish his speech." If you remember Adrien Brody won Best Actor this year and his acceptance speech was famously (or infamously) long like really long. Conan is clearly ready to keep the jokes coming and we are here for it.
Early Host Announcement: Oscars Planning Ahead for a Smooth and Stellar Ceremony in 2026
Usually the Oscars wait until later in the year like fall to announce who the host will be. But this time they are letting us know almost a whole year in advance. Why the early announcement? Well it seems like the Academy and ABC are really trying to get ahead of the game and plan things out carefully.
Variety magazine pointed out that announcing the host and date early can really help the whole awards season run smoother. It gives everyone more time to prepare from the Oscars themselves to other award shows and even movie studios planning their releases and campaigns. Plus it builds up anticipation and gets people talking about the Oscars way ahead of time. Smart move right?
Conan O'Brien: From SNL Writer to Late Night Legend to Oscars Host - A Comedy Veteran Returns
For those who might not know Conan O'Brien is a total comedy pro. He got his start writing for Saturday Night Live and The Simpsons talk about a dream resume! Then he became a late-night TV icon hosting "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" for years then "The Tonight Show" and finally his own show "Conan" for over a decade. He is a seasoned performer and knows live TV like the back of his hand. He even has a super popular podcast "Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend". Basically the guy is comedy royalty and the Oscars are in good hands.
Producing Dream Team Back Too: Kapoor & Mullan Return to Helm 98th Academy Awards Show
It is not just Conan coming back. The executive producers from this year's Oscars Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan are also returning for the 2026 show. They won praise for putting together a "hugely entertaining and visually stunning show" last time around. Jeff Ross and Mike Sweeney are also back as producers with Sweeney also writing again. It's the whole band getting back together which is a great sign for a quality show.
What to Expect? Humor Warmth and Hopefully Not Another Super Long Ceremony (But Maybe More Brody?)
So what can we expect from the 98th Oscars with Conan at the helm again? Definitely expect humor that's his trademark. But also expect some warmth and a genuine appreciation for the movies and the people who make them. Hopefully the show will not run quite as long as last time. The last ceremony clocked in at a hefty 3 hours and 45 minutes even though Conan jokingly promised he would keep it short. Though maybe if Adrien Brody is presenting again we can all settle in for another epic acceptance speech. Either way with Conan back in charge the 2026 Oscars are already looking like a must-watch event!