Conan O’Brien Opens 2026 Oscars With Satirical Monologue as ‘Aunt Gladys’

The 98th Academy Awards took place at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, with comedian Conan O’Brien serving as host on March 15, 2026. The event’s opening monologue featured O’Brien in character, delivering a series of satirical remarks that referenced current trends and personalities in the entertainment industry.

O’Brien began the ceremony by appearing as ‘Aunt Gladys,’ a character through which he presented jokes targeting artificial intelligence and actor Timothée Chalamet’s previous comments about fine arts. The performance included topical humor and references to recent developments in technology and culture.

During his opening remarks, O’Brien stated that he was “honored to be the last human host of the Academy Awards,” and added a joke about a Waymo vehicle potentially hosting the event in the future. This comment was part of a broader theme in the monologue that incorporated technology and automation into the evening’s humor.

O’Brien also addressed Timothée Chalamet directly by referencing the actor’s remarks about ballet and opera, which prompted a visible reaction from Chalamet in the audience. The monologue continued with a satirical mention of Netflix chief Ted Sarandos, suggesting that Sarandos should be monetizing from home rather than attending the ceremony in person.

What the numbers show

• The 98th Academy Awards were held on March 15, 2026
• Conan O’Brien hosted the ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles
• The event marked O’Brien’s first time hosting the Oscars

The opening segment featured a fantasy sequence in which singer Josh Groban appeared in knightly attire. This segment imagined O’Brien winning an Oscar for his monologue, adding a theatrical element to the ceremony’s start.

O’Brien’s monologue included modern slang and references to digital culture, such as “hostmaxxing the Oscars” and “trying to rizz up the younger demographic by going brain-rot mode.” These remarks were intended to connect with contemporary audiences and reflect changes in entertainment language.

The combination of character performance, topical jokes, and fantasy elements set the tone for the 2026 Oscars ceremony. The event’s opening focused on both industry figures and broader cultural trends, using humor to address developments in technology and the arts.

Throughout the opening, O’Brien’s approach blended satire with references to both established and emerging topics in the film industry. The ceremony continued with the presentation of awards following the monologue and opening segment.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.