Yesterday, Conan O’Brien was awarded the 26th Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. The comedian might be the last recipient because you know who is dismantling everything that made it wonderful.
But it is not about the joke of the century. Instead, it is about the Comedian of the Month.
What a month O’Brien is having! He started March off by hosting the Oscars, then he was invited back to host it next year, and yesterday, he got the Mark Twain Award for telling jokes that have made us laugh with him throughout the decades.
He was not the only one the audience was laughing with. Nikki Glaser, Will Ferrell, David Letterman, Kumail Nanjiani, Tracy Morgan, Adam Sandler (who dressed for the occasion), Andy Richter, Reggie Watts, Bill Burr, John Mulaney, Sarah Silverman, Stephen Colbert, Sean Evans, Robert Smigel, and others were there to celebrate and roast him.
While they all watched it live, we can watch the Memorex version on May 4th on Netflix.
If Conan is the last funny person to receive this honor, then the Mark Twain Prize is going out with the right person.
On March 2nd, Conan O’Brien hosted one of the most critically acclaimed Oscars in a really long time and the most-watched one in five years. Therefore, it would make sense that 15 days later, on St. Patrick’s Day, AMPAS asked the Irishman back to host Hollywood’s biggest night in 2026.
“Conan delivered an unforgettable performance at ‘The Oscars,’ and we’re honored to have him and the producing team back next year,” said Craig Erwich, president of Disney Television Group. “Conan’s unique comedic style perfectly captured the moment, and I’m excited to have his talents back onstage next year to helm another indelible performance.”
Why does Conan think he was asked to return to the shindig? “The only reason I’m hosting the Oscars next year is that I want to hear Adrien Brody finish his speech,” said O’Brien.
Hopefully, Brody will be close to wrapping up by then.
Back to Conan. I love that he is finally getting the recognition he has so deserved throughout his whole career. Too bad, NBC didn’t see what we saw. But then again, he probably wouldn’t have traveled the world, burned his stomach lining on Hot Ones, and hosted the Oscars. All of these factors made him go from underground to Top 10!
The 98th Academy Awards will air March 15, 2026 on ABC. I can’t wait to see what jokes he comes up with for it and Wicked: For Good to dominate the night.
Do you think Academy made the right choice by asking him back for a second time?
Conan O’Brien hosted the Oscars tonight. And he made a commercial to remind us to watch movies where they should be watched: in movie theaters and not at home on a smaller screen.
He is 100% correct. I saw Wicked, Inside Out 2, and Sing Sing in a darkened movie house, and I loved them! I watched Emilia Pérez and Conclave on my tablet and shut them both off before they ended.
There is just something magical about going to the theater. Even the worst movie still has some redeeming qualities there. At home, I can’t find any.
Now, if only they could lower the price of a ticket, that would really help.
The Oscars are Sunday night, but Hollywood is getting ready for them today. So, Conan O’Brien, who is thankfully hosting this year, was there to help out and get his hands dirty. So, he, Anthony, Rudy, and Ignacio got down on their knees and rolled out the red carpet that the celebrities are going to walk on on Movie’s Biggest Night.
After just five rolls, he needed a break, so he laid down on top of the unrolled carpet because manual labor is hard for a man who will spend five hours telling jokes.
Seriously, I respect him for doing that. But then again, he is my favorite late host.
Who else is excited that he got the job this year?
There were rumors that Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds were going to host this year’s Oscars. But that is not the case because the Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences named someone else to do it. Who is going to MC Hollywood’s biggest night? The one and only Conan O’Brien!
“America demanded it and now it’s happening: Taco Bell’s new Cheesy Chalupa Supreme. In other news, I’m hosting the Oscars,” said O’Brien.
“We are thrilled and honored to have the incomparable Conan O’Brien host the Oscars this year,” said Kramer and Yang. “He is the perfect person to help lead our global celebration of film with his brilliant humor, 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–honor the spectacular films and filmmakers of this year.”
This is a brilliant choice. Hot off of Hot Ones, people are realizing how hysterical this man is! And it is so great that he is finally getting recognized for it!
And talking about great! He is going to have so much with Wicked. It is the first event movie in decades. So I can’t wait to see him dressed as Elphaba! I wonder who will be his Glinda.
The Oscars are on March 2nd, and U will be there for the first time in a long time; there is a host and movie to root for!
