Conan O’Brien on Hosting the Oscars

Johnny Mac focuses on Conan O’Brien hosting the Oscars tomorrow night. O’Brien says hosting isn’t about nonstop punchlines but guiding the show, balancing entertainment with acknowledging realities like the ongoing war in Iran, and staying topical as jokes quickly become outdated; he emphasizes heavy preparation while keeping the broadcast organic and ready for surprises. Showrunners note annual monitoring and security support from the FBI and LAPD. Mack highlights multiple O’Brien interviews (LA Times, LateNighter with Bill Carter, The New Yorker, and The Hollywood Reporter) covering topics including returning to host, cold open teases, pay for hosting, the 2022...