In a surprising twist, former Oscars host Conan O'Brien recently shared an amusing anecdote about his experience with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. During a segment on his podcast, "Conan Needs a Friend," O'Brien recounted how the Academy rejected his creative promotional ideas for the Oscars ceremony. The comedian had envisioned a series of ads where he and a 9-foot tall Oscar statue would humorously portray a domestic partnership.
Keep that Oscar upstanding. Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP.
O'Brien described one concept where the Oscar statue would be lounging on a large couch while he vacuumed around it, playfully asking the statue to lift its feet or help with chores like loading the dishwasher. However, the Academy firmly opposed the idea, insisting that the Oscar statue must never be depicted horizontally. O'Brien humorously likened the statue to a religious relic, emphasizing the Academy's strict rules about its portrayal.
The Academy's stance didn't stop there. O'Brien also mentioned that the organization required the Oscar statue to be "always naked," dashing hopes for another comedic scenario where the statue, clad in an apron, served him leftovers as a housewife.
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While the Academy's strict guidelines may seem puzzling, they hold firm to their standards. It's unfortunate that fans missed out on seeing O'Brien's comedic talents fully utilized in these promotional ads. Looking ahead, there's hope that O'Brien will return with equally entertaining ideas for future ceremonies. We're certainly rooting for him to host the Oscars again in 2026.
