The 2026 Oscars were filled with hilarious laughter and some of the best jokes came from host Conan O’Brien, who donned the host hat for the second year in a row.
He made fun of not only himself, but also autonomous robots and even snuck into fellow actors a few times while he was at it.
Watch Conan O’Brien’s opening monologue:
There were some big zingers that left the biggest impact on everyone in attendance. Whether it’s calling himself the “last human host” of the Academy Awards, or a hilarious warning about how “political” tonight can get.
Jeffrey Epstein also became a sly joke about the awards, as while Conan O’Brien pointed out that no British actors have been nominated for Best Actor or Best Actress, a British spokesperson hit back by saying, “Yes, at least we’re arresting our pedophiles.”
How Conan O’Brien captures the attention of younger audiences:
Best one-liners at the 2026 Oscars:
- “I’m Conan O’Brien and I’m honored to be the last human presenter of the Academy Awards. Next year it will be a Waymo in a tuxedo.”
- “It might get political tonight. And if that makes you uncomfortable, there’s an alternate Osacrs hosted by Kid Rock. It’s at Dave and Buster’s down the street.”
- “Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos is here. And this is exciting: it’s his first time in a theater!”
- “Between ‘Hamnet’ and ‘Bugonia,’ it’s been a big year for movies that sound like off-brand lunch meat.”
- “In ‘Hamnet’, William Shakespeare’s wife Agnes gives birth alone in the woods. Or as we call it here in America: affordable health care.”
- “‘Sinners’ director Ryan Coogler said he declined to become a voting member of the Academy because he doesn’t like judging the work of his fellow artists. But the rest of you morons seem to love it.”
- “Many memorable scenes from ‘One Battle After Another.’ Best Supporting Actor nominee Sean Penn, of course, got an erection at gunpoint. And then director Paul Thomas Anderson said, ‘Hey, let’s put that in the movie!’”
