Being one of the funniest people on the planet, Conan O'Brien was always expected to crush it hosting the 98th Oscars – his second time doing so in two years – and the beloved comedian did well to not disappoint straight out of the gate. While the tradition of the pre-recorded opener has what could be called a mixed record in Academy Award history, as it can be challenging to reference all of the big nominated titles, O'Brien and his crew got big laughs immediately with a great montage featuring the emcee in full Aunt Gladys makeup.
Unknowingly mere minutes before Amy Madigan won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her incredible work in writer/director Zach Cregger's Weapons, the Academy Awards opened with a scene featuring O'Brien getting last looks in the makeup chair before the start of the ceremony. Unfortunately, the artist made him look like the #1 new horror icon from 2025, and in an effort to get him to rush to the stage, she cast a spell that caused him to flee from a group of murderous children (a parody of Weapons' big finale, for those unaware).
