Los Angeles, California – After the whirlwind of the Oscars has finally settled, first-time host Conan O’Brien has unveiled the insider details of the March 2 telecast on an episode of his SiriusXM podcast Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend.
Reflecting on the Oscars recap podcast, O’Brien expressed his satisfaction with how the show went, attributing his enjoyment to the hard work put in to craft the material. Alongside his head writer and longtime collaborator Mike Sweeney, O’Brien delved into the sketches that were left on the cutting room floor, the surprising notes from the Academy, and his most treasured moments from the experience.
Surprisingly, O’Brien revealed that the opportunity to host the prestigious event came unexpectedly late in November, catching him and Sweeney off guard after returning from filming in Spain for their travel show Conan O’Brien Must Go. Despite facing personal tragedies, including the passing of his father and mother and being displaced due to wildfires, O’Brien took on the hosting role with determination.
During the podcast, O’Brien also shared behind-the-scenes tidbits from the telecast, including the challenges faced in creating certain bits like the Wicked-inspired green screen segment that ultimately got scrapped for a more streamlined opening musical tribute led by Wicked stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo.
Throughout the episode, O’Brien praised the collaboration with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, ABC, and the telecast producers while humorously recounting the restrictions imposed on Oscar-related content, such as the specific positioning of the statuette and the inability to dress it up in any way.
Anecdotes from encounters with rock legend Mick Jagger and insights into the preparation of key elements like the Dune sandworm’s role and the viral Drake joke further provided a glimpse into the intricacies of hosting such a significant event.
Despite the challenges and surprises that came with hosting the Oscars, O’Brien found solace in the unforgettable lighting that enhanced his appearance during the show, emphasizing the lasting impact of the experience.