Conan O'Brien, the veteran comedian, returned as host for the 98th Academy Awards on Sunday night, immediately putting Oscar nominee Timothee Chalamet in the spotlight with a sharp jab at his recent controversial remarks. During his opening monologue at Los Angeles' iconic Dolby Theatre, O'Brien, 62, quipped about security concerns, stating, "I'm told there's a concern about attacks from both the opera and ballet communities," a direct reference to Chalamet's declaration that "no one cares" about these art forms.
Chalamet's Awkward Moment
The camera swiftly cut to Chalamet, who was seated beside his girlfriend Kylie Jenner, capturing his nervous smile as O'Brien added, "They're just mad you left out jazz." This playful call-out set the tone for an evening filled with humor and high-stakes competition, with Chalamet nominated for Best Actor for his role in Marty Supreme.
DiCaprio's Meme-Worthy Appearance
O'Brien didn't stop at Chalamet, also targeting Leonardo DiCaprio, Chalamet's rival in the Best Actor category. Declaring DiCaprio the "king of memes" due to his viral facial expressions, O'Brien prompted him to create a new meme live on stage. DiCaprio responded with a professional smirk and shrug, as O'Brien humorously captioned the moment, "That feeling when you didn't agree to this."
Oscars Highlights and Nominations
The 98th Academy Awards celebrated the best films of 2025, with Ryan Coogler's horror flick Sinners leading the pack with a record-breaking 16 nominations, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Michael B. Jordan. The Best Actor race is intensely competitive, featuring Chalamet, DiCaprio for One Battle After Another, Ethan Hawke for Blue Moon, and Wagner Moura for The Secret Agent.
In the Best Actress category, Jessie Buckley is the frontrunner for her work in Hamnet, facing off against Rose Byrne, Kate Hudson, Renate Reinsve, and Emma Stone. Other notable films include Marty Supreme with nine nominations and One Battle After Another with 13 nods.
Snubs and Surprises
The ceremony saw significant snubs, with Ariana Grande omitted from the Supporting Actress category for Wicked: For Good, which was completely shut out of nominations. Gwyneth Paltrow also missed a nod for Marty Supreme. A new award for Best Casting was introduced, with nominees including Nina Gold for Hamnet and Francine Maisler for Sinners.
Ceremony Details
Broadcast live on ABC and streaming platforms like Hulu, the Oscars kicked off at 7pm ET, showcasing a glamorous red carpet event where O'Brien walked with his wife, Liza Powel O'Brien. The evening blended entertainment with artistic recognition, highlighting both the controversies and achievements of Hollywood's elite.
