The former late-night host is set to host the Academy Awards for the first time, taking the reigns from vocally anti-Trump comedian, Jimmy Kimmel.
Topline
Former late-night television host Conan O’Brien will host the 97th Academy Awards in March, an indicator the upcoming ceremony could be less political as O’Brien typically avoids political material and has lamented jokes about former President Donald Trump, whom former host Jimmy Kimmel has repeatedly torched at the Oscars.Key Facts
O’Brien will be the first Oscars host of the second Trump presidency, which will take place on March 2, six weeks after Trump’s inauguration.
Though O’Brien has previously criticized Trump and voiced support for Democratic candidates, including President Joe Biden in 2020, he seldom discusses his political views and is reluctant to make politics a focus of his comedy.
O’Brien has previously criticized comics for leaning on Trump jokes, stating last year: “What a lot of people have to revert to is: ‘Doesn’t he suck? I hate that guy. He’s an a**hole,’ and those aren’t jokes.”
The comedian also said in 2021 the final months of his TBS late-night show, “Conan,” would have “shockingly few, if any, references to Donald Trump.”
O’Brien said on a 2020 episode of his podcast in conversation with Hillary Clinton he is “not a political comedian,” stating politics is “something that I have always stayed away from.
