LOS ANGELES (CNS) – Conan O’Brien is returning as host of “The Oscars,” it was announced Monday, and he has some unfinished business.
“The only reason I’m hosting the Oscars next year is that I want to hear Adrien Brody finish his speech,” O’Brien said in a statement Monday.
Brody won the Oscar for Best Actor for his role in “The Brutalist” earlier this month.
O’Brien joins a cast of producers and writers who are also returning to work on the Oscars in 2026.
Producers Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan are returning as the show’s executive producers for the third consecutive year, Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang announced Monday. Jeff Ross and Mike Sweeney return as producers for a second time, and Sweeney will also serve as a writer. The 98th Oscars will air live on ABC on March 15 at 4 p.m.
“We are thrilled to bring back Conan, Raj, Katy, Jeff and Mike for the 98th Oscars,” Kramer and Yang said. “This year, they produced a hugely entertaining and visually stunning show that celebrated our nominees and the global film community in the most beautiful and impactful way. Conan was the perfect host — skillfully guiding us through the evening with humor, warmth and reverence. It is an honor to be working with them again.”
The 97th Oscars Awards show on March 2 hosted by O’Brien delivered a five-year high in total viewers (19.69 million) and adult viewers ages 18-49 (4.54 million). It ranked as the No. 1 primetime entertainment telecast in total viewers and adults for the 2024-25 season.
“Conan delivered an unforgettable performance at `The Oscars,’ and we’re honored to have him and the producing team back next year,” said Craig Erwich, president of Disney Television Group. “Conan’s unique comedic style perfectly captured the moment, and I’m excited to have his talents back onstage next year to helm another indelible performance.”
The 97th Oscars posted impressive numbers on social media as well. It earned 104.2 million total social interactions, ranking as the No. 1 most social TV program season-to-date, outperforming both “The Grammy Awards” (102.2 million interactions) and “The Super Bowl” (62.4 million) this season for the first time on record.
“We are both so honored to be returning in our roles for the 98th Oscars,” said Kapoor and Mullan. “We can’t wait to work with Conan and his entire team as we continue to explore even more special and heartfelt opportunities to celebrate next year’s nominees and the impact of film around the world.”
O’Brien was host of the late-night talk shows “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien” and “Conan.” He was also a writer for “Saturday Night Live” and “The Simpsons.”
O’Brien hosts the “Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend” podcast, MAX travel show “Conan O’Brien Must Go” and has a supporting role in “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You.” He has won five Primetime Emmy Awards and earned 31 nominations for his work.
Kapoor has won Emmy Awards for his work on the 96th Oscars and for executive producing the Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded) “Adele: One Night Only.”
Mullan won an Emmy for the 96th Oscars. She is an executive producer, showrunner and partner of the global live event production company Done + Dusted.
Ross won a Primetime Emmy and earned 15 nominations for his work.
Sweeney has won three Primetime Emmys and earned 22 nominations.
The 98th Oscars will be at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood and will be televised live on ABC and in more than 200 territories worldwide.
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