The 2025 Oscars Air Next Month, And I Just Remembered One Long-Running Conan O’Brien Gag That Needs To Be Part Of His Show

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To put it plainly, I’m not particularly enamored with the Oscars, given my profession as a movie and TV series writer. The ceremony itself doesn’t appeal to me much; instead, I prefer discovering who won each category afterward and catching snippets of acceptance speeches. However, Conan O’Brien hosting the 97th Academy Awards has piqued my interest, as he’s one of my favorite comedians. It struck me that in just four weeks, on this significant date in the 2025 TV schedule, the show will take place. I can’t help but hope that a classic gag from O’Brien’s talk show era is included in the program.

Paul Rudd is recognized by many as a versatile actor, having starred in films such as “Clueless,” “Anchorman,” “The 40-Year-Old Virgin,” and “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire,” to name a few, along with TV series like “Parks & Recreation,” “The Shrink Next Door,” and “Only Murders in the Building.” Additionally, it’s hard to believe that he’s in his mid-50s given his seemingly timeless appearance, which he credits to good sleep, weight management, diet, exercise, and cardio. However, those who have been fans of Conan O’Brien for a long time are also familiar with Rudd’s habit of repeatedly showing the same clip from the 1988 movie “Mac and Me” during his conversations with the multitalented individual.

What Is The Mac And Me Gag?

In this scenario, Paul Rudd presents a clip from his current project, however, it turns out to be a scene reminiscent of the widely panned ET imitation. The storyline revolves around a character named Eric who loses control of his wheelchair, careens down a cliff and plunges into the lake below. At the end, MAC expresses shock at the incident. Since 2004, Paul Rudd has been known for this prank, as demonstrated during his portrayal of Mike Hannigan on Friends, as shown below:

Rudd often used a specific video clip during his appearances on NBC’s Late Night with Conan O’Brien and TBS’ Conan, sometimes altering it humorously. For example, in 2015, he integrated Ant-Man footage into the clip. Remarkably, he even played this clip when appearing on the Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend podcast, which was particularly amusing because, as Conan noted, it involves a visual joke. I can’t help but share this amusing anecdote too!

I still find myself laughing at the humor in “Mac and Me” after all this time, and I’m confident that many others share my sentiments. What makes it funny isn’t just the use of the clip itself, but also Rudd’s dedication to the bit, where he plays it completely straight – both before showing the clip and even afterwards. It’s a form of comedy that lies in its straightforwardness, making it all the more beautiful.

How I Want The Mac And Me Gag Incorporated Into The Oscars

As a movie enthusiast, I couldn’t help but reminisce about an unexpected connection when Conan O’Brien was named this year’s Oscar host. Suddenly, the memory of the classic flop, “Mac and Me,” surfaced in my mind, and before long, I found myself tracing a path from one point to another. Indeed, I can’t help but feel that the inclusion of this iconic clip would add a touch of humor to the ceremony. However, it’s crucial to remember that Conan himself should remain unaware of this idea.

In this scenario, I imagine Paul Rudd being called onto the stage to introduce a clip, possibly for one of the Best Picture nominees such as “The Brutalist” or “The Substance”. Alternatively, he could be presenting an award category, either alone or with a partner. During rehearsals, everything proceeds as planned, but when Conan O’Brien isn’t present, the Oscars team secretly arranges for the infamous “Mac and Me” clip to be played instead. Given his enthusiastic nature, it’s likely that Rudd has already arranged this surprise, and if not, he certainly would be up for it. The anticipation of seeing Conan’s reaction as he discovers what’s happening is truly a precious sight to behold.

The 97th Academy Awards will broadcast on Sunday, March 2nd, meaning I can either catch it live on ABC or stream it with Hulu, or watch it later. Regardless, I’m eagerly anticipating that Paul Rudd might bring his antics from the film “Mac and Me” to this year’s awards ceremony. This could be a fantastic chance for him to showcase the gag on such a grand stage, making it an opportunity too good to miss.

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2025-02-09 22:39