Conan O’Brien Reveals How He’s “Embracing” Oscar Host Job in Wake of Tragic L.A. Wildfires And His Plans to Deliver a “Show That Meets the Moment”

Hosting the Academy Awards is known to be one of Hollywood’s hardest jobs, but doing so amidst L.A.’s most devastating wildfires adds another layer of difficulty. With many people expressing strong opinions about whether or not the event should go on at all under these conditions, it certainly makes for a complex situation.

However, Conan O’Brien is a strong contender for the position. Given his recent experience of being one of many Los Angeles residents who were compelled to leave their homes due to the Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire, he has a deep understanding of the issues at hand.

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Conan O’Brien is a viable candidate. Moreover, having been among the Angelenos evacuated due to the Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire, he is particularly sensitive to the challenges facing the city.

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As for Conan O’Brien, he is more than capable for the role. To add to that, being one of the thousands of Los Angeles residents who had to flee their homes due to the Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire, he has a personal connection to the city’s current struggles.

Each sentence maintains the original meaning while providing a fresh perspective.

Although this task isn’t a walk in the park for me, I’m taking it on with open arms. It’s not just about my individual experience. Instead, let’s take a moment to be modest and acknowledge, ‘This is a significant event.’ This tragic incident in Los Angeles is something we should all recognize as substantial.” O’Brien expressed this sentiment to The Hollywood Reporter upon his arrival in Park City, Utah on Friday, where he was promoting his feature film debut in A24’s “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You,” alongside Rose Byrne.

The seasoned TV host, podcast creator, and comedian has observed the online discussions and the ways different groups within our divided cultural sphere have responded to the disaster. “I understand that people are using this as a political talking point and shouting about it,” said O’Brien, who is set to debut as an Oscar host for the first time in his career this year. “This is simply a human tragedy.” Living in the city where such events occur, he added, “we are all trying to process this, and as an entertainer, I am trying to determine the best approach to respond. We have five weeks to figure it out, and I suspect that our plan will likely take shape just 45 minutes before the show begins.

Comedy can be unpredictable, and O’Brien acknowledged that this situation is particularly changeable. So, expect updates regularly as time passes.

He described our approach for the Oscars as myself, my writers, and the incredible team I’m collaborating with. We’ve got all our sensors at the ready, and that includes producers, everyone involved. The plan is still evolving because we have countless ideas, but deciding which ones to use, what feels right, what tone to set – it’s a dynamic process. The tone might change slightly. It’s hard to predict exactly how it will turn out. We want the show on March 2nd to reflect the current situation, shine a light on those in LA who have been affected, and strike a balance between sensitivity, understanding, and uplifting moments, all while maintaining an element of fun. It’s quite a complex mix.

Regarding fascinating collaborations, O’Brien eagerly anticipated entering the Library Center Theatre to witness Mary Bronstein’s production titled “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You“. This play is characterized as follows: “In the midst of her life spiraling out of control, Linda (Byrne) struggles to manage her child’s enigmatic illness, her husband’s absence, a missing person, and an increasingly volatile relationship with her therapist (O’Brien). The cast includes Danielle Macdonald, Lark White, Ivy Wolk, Daniel Zolghadri, Delaney Quinn, and rapper A$AP Rocky.

O’Brien has shared that this will be his first time watching the movie as he declined an early screening invitation to attend during the Sundance Film Festival. As per the film’s press materials, O’Brien received a call from Adam Sandler encouraging him to get in touch with one of the Safdie brothers regarding the script. Ronald Bronstein, who is friends with the Safdies due to their collaboration on the successful film “Uncut Gems,” is married to O’Brien. This connection led O’Brien to accept a significant role opposite Byrne, as he is currently in a phase of his career where he eagerly accepts opportunities, referred to as a “radical yes” period.

THR inquired about something the interviewee discovered about acting while actually filming on set for the first time: “It’s crucial to be well-prepared,” he replied, flashing a grin. “In my type of comedy, we rehearse extensively, but then you have to abandon many of your plans because the conversation veers off in an unexpected direction and you have to go along with it. The best humor often comes from accidents and things going awry. In acting, you must know your spot on set and memorize your lines. It’s a genuine profession. I admired actors before, but after observing Rose Byrne closely and witnessing her talent, I realized how fortunate I am to just interview them instead of attempting to act.

The film titled “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You” made its debut last Friday in Park City, with plans to showcase it at the Berlin Film Festival in April. Meanwhile, O’Brien is slated to host the Academy Awards on March 2nd.

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2025-01-25 01:24