Conan O’Brien did very well at the Oscars, both this year (2026) and in his 2025 debut, with critics and most viewers calling him one of the strongest, most confident hosts the show has had in years.

Quick Scoop: How He Did

  • Reviews from major outlets say he nailed his second year, avoiding any “sophomore slump” and bringing energy and sharp jokes without derailing the night.
  • He leaned into the bit of being the “last human host” of the Oscars, joking that next year a self‑driving car in a tux would replace him, which landed well in the room.
  • Online reaction has been largely positive, with many fans calling him a natural fit and praising how relaxed and in-control he feels on a live broadcast.

What People Liked

  • Cold open & sketches: He opened with a pre‑taped sequence where he dressed as Aunt Gladys from the movie “Weapons,” sprinting through scenes inspired by multiple Best Picture contenders, then bursting into the Dolby Theatre, which critics and fans loved for being goofy and film‑nerdy at the same time.
  • Monologue: His monologue was fast, dense with jokes, and a bit edgier than recent hosts—he went after AI, Hollywood power players, and even Timothée Chalamet, but kept it mostly playful rather than mean.
  • Tone & pacing: Commentators noted that he kept the show moving, hit his marks, and seemed comfortable slipping between big set‑piece bits and quick, low‑key intros.

Any Backlash or Mixed Takes?

  • Some of his sharper barbs (aimed at powerful execs and some controversial topics) were called “bracing” or “punchy,” but mainstream coverage still framed the night as a win for him rather than a controversy.
  • A few online comments have said his style is more “old‑school late‑night” than what younger TikTok‑era viewers are used to, but that’s more a matter of taste than a serious knock.

How This Compares to 2025

  • His first Oscars hosting gig in 2025 was already widely praised—fans and critics said he was naturally funny, could write his own material, and gave the show a smoother, less awkward feel than some recent years.
  • Because of that, a lot of people went into 2026 with high expectations, and early reviews say he basically met or exceeded them, solidifying him as a “king of the Oscars”‑type presence rather than a one‑off experiment.

TL;DR

Conan did really well at the Oscars: strong monologue, inventive cold open, mostly glowing critic reviews, and a fan reaction that ranges from “this totally works” to “make him the regular host.”

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.