Conan O’Brien impressed his Academy and Disney paymasters a lot along with his Oscars internet hosting efficiency that he has been formally requested to return.
The comic will probably be again to host the 98th Academy Awards, which can happen on ABC on Sunday March 15.
Additionally returning are producers Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan, who’re again for his or her third consecutive yr. Alongside them will probably be Conan’s companions Jeff Ross and Mike Sweeney, who will produce for the second time with the latter additionally writing.
The transfer shouldn’t be a shock as Conan impressed many along with his mixture of foolish and savvy. Rob Mills, EVP Unscripted & Different Leisure at Walt Disney Tv, the person in command of the telecast, advised Deadline the day after this yr’s ceremony that he was eager for the previous late-night star to return because it had been a “privilege” to work him, describing it as “TV government fantasy camp”.
“The one motive I’m internet hosting The Oscars subsequent yr is that I wish to hear Adrien Brody end his speech,” O’Brien quipped.
This yr’s present was watched by 19.69M individuals, up from the 18.07M that tuned in final yr, helped by being streamed on Hulu for the primary time (even when a few of these streamers confronted their very own points).
It comes because the Academy is already waiting for the 2029 ceremony by beginning to focus on the TV rights with different broadcasters and streamers after Disney’s unique negotiating window lapses.
It’s common for hosts to return; Jimmy Kimmel did two units of back-to-back Oscars in 2023/2024 and 2017/2018. Billy Crystal hosted 4 occasions between 1990 and 1993 and in 1997 and 1998. Johnny Carson did 4 in a row between 1979 and 1982 but it surely was Bob Hope that did essentially the most back-to-back with 4 in a row between 1940 and 1943, three in a row between 1960 and 1962 and 4 in a row between 1965 and 1968.
“We’re thrilled to convey again Conan, Raj, Katy, Jeff and Mike for the 98th Oscars,” mentioned Academy CEO Invoice Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang. “This yr, they produced a massively entertaining and visually gorgeous present that celebrated our nominees and the worldwide movie neighborhood in essentially the most lovely and impactful means. Conan was the proper host – skillfully guiding us by means of the night with humor, heat and reverence. It’s an honor to be working with them once more.”
“We’re each so honored to be returning in our roles for the 98th Oscars,” mentioned Kapoor and Mullan. “We are able to’t wait to work with Conan and his complete group as we proceed to discover much more particular and heartfelt alternatives to have a good time subsequent yr’s nominees and the affect of movie all over the world.”
“Conan delivered an unforgettable efficiency at The Oscars, and we’re honored to have him and the manufacturing group again subsequent yr,” added Craig Erwich, president of Disney Tv Group. “Conan’s distinctive comedic fashion completely captured the second, and I’m excited to have his abilities again onstage subsequent yr to helm one other indelible efficiency.”
