Conan O’Brien says hosting the Oscars requires 'walking a very thin line' between politics and comedy

Conan O’Brien says hosting the Oscars requires carefully balancing comedy with the realities of the political and cultural moment, describing the challenge as “walking a very thin line.”

The comedian, who is returning to host the Academy Awards, explained that he wants the ceremony to feel entertaining and uplifting while still acknowledging the world outside Hollywood.

O’Brien said the Oscars should provide viewers with a break from heavy news, while still allowing space for thoughtful humor. At the same time, he noted that political jokes can’t feel forced and need to come naturally from his comedic voice.

Over the years, O’Brien has performed political comedy in different settings, including late-night television and the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. But he said politics has never been the main driver of his humor.

Instead, his approach is to focus on jokes that feel authentic. If a political line doesn’t resonate with him, he prefers not to include it.

The longtime comedian also reflected on how the current political climate can make satire more difficult. When real-life events already seem exaggerated or outrageous, he suggested it becomes harder for comedians to create jokes that feel sharper than reality.

Still, O’Brien believes humor can bring people together, pointing to classic Oscars hosts like Johnny Carson, whose topical jokes often connected with audiences during tense moments in history.

O’Brien first hosted the Oscars in 2025 to positive reviews and is returning for the upcoming ceremony, which continues the Academy’s tradition of tapping experienced comedians to guide Hollywood’s biggest night.

As he prepares for the stage again, O’Brien said his goal is simple: deliver a night that celebrates movies while making audiences laugh, without tipping too far in any one direction.