Conan O'Brien's Oscars Opening Monologue Takes Aim at Prince Andrew
Comedian Conan O'Brien, hosting the Oscars for the second consecutive year in 2026, delivered a politically charged opening monologue that included a sharp dig at Prince Andrew, the former Duke of York. The joke referenced the royal's recent arrest in connection with the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, marking a bold move in the typically glamorous ceremony.
Joke References Arrest and Epstein Files
Midway through his monologue, O'Brien noted the absence of British nominees in the Best Actor and Actress categories for the first time in years. He then quipped, "A British spokesperson said: 'Yeah but at least we arrest our paedophiles...'" This line was a clear allusion to Prince Andrew's arrest for misconduct in a public office following the release of the Epstein files.
The arrest occurred on Andrew's 66th birthday, with at least six Thames Valley Police cars descending on Wood Farm. The former prince, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing, was interrogated for 11 hours at Aylsham police station in Norfolk. Photographs captured him looking dishevelled and shell-shocked as he was driven away, and he remains under investigation with police raids on various royal estates.
O'Brien's Hosting History and Approach
O'Brien was announced as host just two days after the 2025 Oscars, with Academy CEO Bill Kramer and president Janey Yang praising him as "the perfect host – skilfully guiding us through the evening with humour, warmth and reverence." In 2025, his jokes primarily focused on nominated films, such as poking fun at Wicked and Best Actress nominee Karla Sofia Gascon over resurfaced offensive tweets.
However, O'Brien has previously expressed a desire to avoid overly political content. Ahead of the 2025 ceremony, he told The New York Times that he wanted everyone to enjoy the Oscars regardless of political views. This year, he described striking a balance between entertainment and acknowledging realities as a "dance," aiming to find the right tone.
Context and Broader Monologue Themes
The 2026 monologue also touched on lighter moments, like joking about Adrien Brody's lengthy acceptance speech from the previous year. O'Brien referenced real-world events with less humour, such as the LA wildfires, acknowledging that awards shows can seem self-indulgent after tragedies but celebrating the enduring joy of film.
This incident highlights how high-profile events like the Oscars are increasingly intertwining with global political and social issues, with hosts like O'Brien navigating the fine line between comedy and commentary.
