Following performances by Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, the Emmy-winning comedian, writer, producer and former late-night host officially started the 97th Annual Academy Awards on Sunday, March 2, with a skit that involved a clip from The Substance, one of this year's nominated films that stars Demi Moore.
In the edited clip, O'Brien, 61, was filmed climbing out of her back and, after realizing he was missing a shoe, diving back into her character's body to find it. He then made his debut on the Oscars stage, where the camera panned over to Moore's seat. After O'Brien greeted her, Moore was seen mouthing the word "awkward" in reaction to the skit.
Near the end of his monologue, O'Brien brought the topic back to The Substance-inspired skit as he jokingly assured the audience that they “did not use AI to make this show."
O'Brien's opening remarks drew mixed reactions from people online, with some declaring that he was "killing it" as others praised the "brilliant" monologue that they said went "for the THROAT."
Conan is killing it! #Oscars
— James (@JamesAMcGhee) March 3, 2025But others took issue with The Substance-inspired opening.
Watching Conan Obrien’s entrance was vile after just seeing such a beautiful performance! Just odd. They missed the mark.
— KookaburraKaly (@KalyKookaburra) March 3, 2025"Conan crawling out of Demi Moore's comatose body literally usurps the central theme of The Substance and undermines it," another person said.
Conan crawling out of Demi Moore's comatose body literally usurps the central theme of The Substance and undermines it. #oscars #thesubstance #mysogyny
— MerissaNathanGerson (@AskYourYenta) March 3, 2025In November, O'Brien responded to the announcement that he would be hosting the event with his trademark humor.
Despite his lack of experience on the Oscars stage, O'Brien hosted the Emmys twice, in 2002 and 2006, to general acclaim. IndieWire called the 2006 ceremony the "most successful" Emmys broadcast of the century so far thanks to "O’Brien’s whipsmart but never truly cynical energy."
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