Conan O'Brien to Host Oscars for First Time

LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Conan O'Brien will be making his debut as host of the Academy Awards show, it was announced Friday, and is expected to connect with viewers in a new and fresh way.

O'Brien, an Emmy award winning television host, writer and producer, will host the 97th Oscars ceremony scheduled for March 2 at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood and will be televised on ABC.

"America demanded it and now it's happening: Taco Bell's new Cheesy Chalupa Supreme. In other news, I'm hosting the Oscars," O'Brien said.

Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Zang said they are thrilled and honored to have O'Brien host the Oscars.

"He is the perfect person to help lead our global celebration of film with his brilliant humor, his love of movies, and his live TV expertise. His remarkable ability to connect with audiences will bring viewers together to do what the Oscars do best-honor the spectacular films and filmmakers of this year," Kramer and Yang said in a statement released Friday.

O'Brien is known for hosting late-night TV shows, "The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien" and "Conan." He was also a writer for "Saturday Night Live" and "The Simpsons."

O'Brien hosts the podcast "Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend" and recently starred in the 2024 travel show "Conan O'Brien Must Go." He has won five Primetime Emmys Awards and earned 31 nominations.

"Conan has all the qualities of a great Oscars host - he is incredibly witty, charismatic and funny and has proven himself to be a master of live event television," said Oscars executive producers Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan. "We are so looking forward to working with him to deliver a fresh, exciting and celebratory show for Hollywood*s biggest night."