Viewers Say They ‘Won’t Be Watching’ 2025 Oscars After New Host Announcement
Jane Lynch, Jimmy Kimmel, Conan O’Brien, Neil Patrick Harris, and Jimmy Fallon | Source: Getty Images
The Oscars are making a bold move this year with a new emcee for the 97th ceremony. While some fans cheer the decision, critics are voicing their doubts about his suitability for Hollywood’s biggest night.
An Emmy-winning comedian and former late-night host is set to take center stage as host of the 97th Oscars. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the news on Friday, igniting mixed reactions online.
Conan O’Brien speaks onstage during Warner Bros. Discovery Upfront 2024 on May 15, 2024, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
The announcement came via the Academy’s Instagram page, featuring a playful video of Conan O’Brien holding an Oscar statuette. In the clip, he beams with excitement, jokingly calling himself an “Oscar winner.” A voice off-camera quickly corrects him, clarifying he’s a host, not a winner.
Alongside the short clip, the caption read, “Conan O’Brien is officially your 97th Oscars host! Tune into the biggest night in Hollywood on Sunday, March 2nd at 7e/4p, LIVE on ABC! #Oscars.”
While some celebrated the choice, others weren’t so thrilled. Social media buzzed with blunt critiques. One commenter wrote, “That’s a shame,” while another said, “Oh… it’s going to be awful.” Some even vowed to skip watching the event altogether.
Others took a more cautious approach, acknowledging O’Brien’s humor could swing either way. “This can go really amazing or it can go extremely wrong,” one user noted.
A fan comment dated Friday 15, 2024 | Source: Instagram/entertainmenttonight
The comments kept rolling in, and many didn’t hold back. One person declared they “won’t watch” because they “can’t stand O’Brien’s humor.” The person doubled down, reminiscing about the time Jay Leno returned to “The Tonight Show” after O’Brien “bombed,” but conceded that younger audiences might find his style amusing.
Another commenter seemed puzzled, writing, “So they’re moving away from the tradition of having someone funny host.” Others chimed in with sharp takes, with one claiming they’d “have a headache that night,” and another predicting, “He’ll be a disaster. He has a weird sense of humor.”
Conan O’Brien pictured at the 26th Annual Beat The Odds Awards, 2016, Beverly Hills, California. | Photo: Getty Images
The critiques didn’t stop there. “He isn’t funny....
