Conan O'Brien To Return As Oscars Host In 2026

Hollywood, prepare for some more mocking: Conan O'Brien will be back as Oscars host in 2026.

The announcement comes just weeks after O'Brien hosted this year's ceremony for the first time. (Go here to see video of his opening monologue, which poked fun at the 2025 Best Picture nominees and took jabs at Emilia Pérez star Karla Sofía Gascón's recent social media scandal.)

The 98th Oscars will take place Sunday, March 15, at California's Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood. ABC will broadcast the event. Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan will return as the ceremony's executive producers.

"The only reason I'm hosting the Oscars next year is that I want to hear Adrien Brody finish his speech," O'Brien said in a statement, mocking Brody's record-breaking comments after winning Best Actor.

The 2025 Oscars telecast delivered a total audience of 19.69 million, up a tick from last year to mark a five-year high. In the Adults 18-49 demo, the Oscars scored a 4.5 rating, up 19% YOY and also a five-year high. And among Adults 18-34, the ceremony posed a six-year high (3.9 rating).

TVLine readers gave O'Brien's 2025 opening monologue an average grade of "B," while Wicked stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande's medley during the telecast earned an "A."

What do you think about O'Brien's return? Hit the comments, and let us know!