Film news: Conan O’Brien to host 2025 Oscars
The Oscars is the biggest awards night in Hollywood and hosting the gig is considered a high honour.
Each year the question of who will be hosting is met with anticipation and 2025 will see a new talent step into the role.
Film News Blitz’s David Bason writes of Conan O’Brien, who the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced as host for the 97th Oscars on Friday.
Who is Conan O’Brien?
O’Brien is one of the most widely recognised faces of American television.
An Emmy-winning television, host, writer-producer and comedian, he shot to acclaim as a late-night television host from 1993 to 2010 with hits Late Night with Conan O’Brien, The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien and Conan.
He is now famous in the world of podcasting with Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend.
“We are thrilled and honoured to have the incomparable Conan O’Brien host the Oscars this year,” said Academy CEO, Bill Kramer, and President, Janet Yang.
“He is the perfect person to help lead our global celebration of film with his brilliant humour, his love of movies, and his live TV expertise.
“His remarkable ability to connect with audiences will bring viewers together to do what the Oscars do best--honour the spectacular films and filmmakers of this year.”
O’Brien added: “America demanded it and now it’s happening: Taco Bell’s new Cheesy Chalupa Supreme. In other news, I’m hosting the Oscars.”
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When will the 97th Oscars ceremony be televised?
The 97th Oscars will be held on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood and will be televised live on Disney’s ABC network and in more than 200 territories worldwide.
“Conan is a preeminent comedic voice, whose decades-long success is marked by his distinctive humour and perspective,” said Craig Erwich, President, Disney Television Group.
“He joins an iconic roster of comedy greats who have served in this role, and we are so lucky to have him centre stage for the Oscars.”
UK coverage is yet to be confirmed but 2024’s ceremony was shown on ITV and ITVX with coverage starting from 11pm GMT.
Who is O’Brien replacing as host?
O’Brien will succeed four-time Oscars host and fellow late-night television star Jimmy Kimmel.
Kimmel hosted the awards in 2017 and 2018 before returning in 2023 and 2024.
Appearing on the Politickin’ podcast in August, Kimmel revealed prioritising his son’s health after surgeries made the timing right to step down as Oscars host.
“I just decided I didn’t want to deal with that this year,” he said.
“It was just too much last year.
“You wind up pushing everything off ‘til after the Oscars, and you have to do everything you promised to do after the Oscars.
“I did two years and it went well.
“I did another two years, it went well.
“I figured I’d take a little break.”
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