Steven Prusakowski
From the dazzling red carpet to the star-studded performances and unforgettable moments, the Oscars are the pinnacle of cinematic celebration. As the night draws near, much of the work remains behind the scenes continues to ensure everything runs seamlessly for the viewers at home. One of the most important pieces to the Oscar puzzle is the host. This year, the Academy has tapped the incredible the multi-talented Conan O’Brien to emcee Hollywood’s biggest night.
In a recent press conference, O’Brien, joined my several member of the team behind this year’s Oscars shared insights into how they’re preparing for the big night.
Showrunner and Executive Producer for this year’s Oscars, Raj Kapoor, set the tone by emphasizing the key themes for the show. “We have a couple. One is that we are honoring the City of Los Angeles,” explained Kapoor.”There have been so many people that have been touched by this devastation. We wanted to create beautiful moments on stage that celebrate this amazing says City we live in and amazing films that were filmed here and have an uplifting and beautiful message we hope that touches everyone that watches the show.”
Kapoor also pointed to the show’s charitable component. “There will be a charitable component that people will interact with and feel free to donate if they like,” he added. This year’s Oscars will celebrate not only the achievements of filmmakers but the resilience of Los Angeles and its people.
“One of the themes this year is celebration of connection,” said Katy Mullan, Executive Producer. “What is so incredible and extraordinary about these movies is the number of people, the number of departments, and the number of talents that it takes to put these incredible movie magic together.”
Mullan continued, ”There are a lot of moments in the show where we pull back the curtain and look at the behind the scenes stories and as well as celebrating being in front of the camera.”
The Oscars are the one night of the year when the history of film is celebrated globally. The ceremony is at its best when films, filmmaking, and the people who make the magic are the focus. Expect to see several moments honoring the often unsung heroes.
When O’Brien was announced as the Oscar host back in November, many fans questioned what took so long, he’d be the perfect host. O’Brien was asked about that and of course, responded with his trademark wit, “I never hosted before or have been invited to the Oscars, to be honest with you. I only hosted so I could be invited to the Oscars. (laughing) O’Brien continued referring to the producers, ”I think you’ve been around me for a while now we’ve worked together. And I think — I don’t want to put words in your mouth but I’m probably the greatest entertainer you ever worked with.”
Fellow panelists couldn’t help but sing O’Brien’s praises. “He is filled with humor, warmth, sincerity. Honestly when we first met it was like this warm hug,” shared Kapoor. “It just felt like we were in such good hands.”
To which Conan responded, “Well, let’s see what you are saying on Monday.”
As you can tell, Conan O’Brien’s humor will be an essential part of the show’s success. Jon Macks, one of the writers behind this year’s Oscars explained. “There is a balance in every show. We are lucky Conan set the tone,” Macks said. “He is funny and people trust him. He likes to know what to do. In terms of serious or straightforward, that is talent written in many ways. You talk to them and find out what they want to say and tell them the theme of the show and work with them to get it right.”
As with past hosts, finding the correct balance of humor and heart will be the biggest challenge for O’Brien during the ceremony. “As a host, I’m the spokesperson for the audience. If something feels strange or odd, I’ll comment on it. I can’t ignore the moment we’re in, but I also have to make sure the night celebrates the hard work behind the films. It’s a delicate balance. I want to address the moment, but I also want to infuse the show with positivity, not let it be overshadowed by politics. It’s about celebrating the beauty of the work and recognizing everyone, from A-list celebrities to those who work behind the scenes.”
As the team prepares for the big night, one thing is certain: the Oscars will be a night to remember. With Conan at the helm, we can expect an unforgettable evening with a healthy dose of the unexpected.
Let’s just hope that Conan makes it to the stage in time after he humorously admitted, “I was under the impression that the Oscars is August 2. I have not prepared… I swear to God, today they told me.” Cross your fingers for the nominees and that the host is prepared.
The 97th Academy Awards will air live on ABC on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.
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