Conan O’Brien To Host The 97th <a href="https://247newslive.com/tag/academy-awards/”>Academy Awards. Everything You Need To Know
The 97th Academy Awards are set to take place on **Sunday, March 2nd, at the iconic Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California**. This year marks a fresh direction for the prestigious event as comedian and former late-night television host **Conan O’Brien** will make his debut as the Oscars host.
The ceremony, celebrating the best films of 2024, will be broadcast live on ABC and, in a significant first, will also **stream live on Hulu**. The ceremony will feature a wide range of talented presenters and performances. It will also crown the best films of 2024.
Why Conan O’Brien is the best host for Oscars
Achieving the Oscars hosting job is an incredible achievement in the industry. **Conan O’Brien**, celebrated for his sharp wit, improvisational brilliance, and distinct brand of comedy, is poised to inject a new, energetic dynamic into the event. O’Brien’s selection by the Academy signals an attempt to move away from well-known faces such as Jimmy Kimmel and introduce new comedic perspectives into the global televised event.
O’Brien acknowledged that the project was a big one. “There’s no such thing as getting to a point professionally where there are no nerves if you’re working in comedy,” he shared with *People* magazine recently. “I am very aware that it’s an iconic show and can be tricky… I like to meet a challenge.”
This year’s Oscars ceremony also takes on added significance due to the **recent Los Angeles wildfires**. This year’s Oscars ceremony will also be a time to acknowledge the recent Los Angeles wildfires and honor those brave first responders.
Chris Pizzello/AP Photo
Conan O’Brien’s Preparation and Comedic Aspect
O’Brien has been working closely with an experienced team of comedy writers in preparation for hosting his first Oscars. In addition, he draws inspiration from past hosts of the Oscars ceremony, such as Billy Crystal, Johnny Carson and Jimmy Kimmel, a veteran late-night host. O’Brien consulted Kimmel to leverage his expertise in the Oscars high-pressure stage environment.
O’Brien’s addition was a move to revitalize the comedic element of the show. This is a departure from previous years, which featured repeat hosts such as Jimmy Kimmel in both 2017-2018 and in 2023-24.
Before taking on the Oscars, **Conan O’Brien hosted his own critically acclaimed late-night talk shows, including _Late Night with Conan O’Brien_ and simply _Conan_**. O’Brien, who has since ended his late-night talk shows, told ABC News he welcomes any new opportunity that may come his way. Since I ceased doing my late night program three years ago, I’ve said yes to many things. This has been a time of “yes,” said he.
How to watch the 2025 Oscars and when they start?
Set your calendars. The 97th Academy Awards will air live at **7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on ABC**. For the first time ever, viewers will also have the option to **stream the show live on Hulu**.
To get the full Oscars experience, tune in early for the official preshow, **_The Oscars Red Carpet Show_**, hosted by Julianne Hough and Jesse Palmer. Coverage of the pre-show begins at 3:00 p.m. ET. This includes exclusive interviews with celebrities and insights into fashion from the red-carpet.
## 2025 Best Picture Nominees
There is a strong competition between films for Best Picture in 2025. Nominees include:
* _Anora_
* _The Brutalist_
* _A Complete Unknown_
* _Conclave_
* _Dune: Part Two_
* _Emilia Pérez_
* _I’m Still Here_
* _Nickel Boys_
* _The Substance_
* _Wicked_
Leading the nominations pack is _Emilia Pérez_ with an impressive thirteen nods, followed closely by _The Brutalist_ and _Wicked_, each with ten nominations.
What Nominees Say
**Conan O’Brien, reflecting on hosting the Oscars amidst the recent wildfires in Los Angeles, told ABC News:** “L.A. has just been through this traumatic experience. The national situation is very volatile and changes every day. “My job with my writers right now is to create opportunities.”
**Zoe Saldaña, nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role in _Emilia Pérez_, shared her excitement on Instagram on January 30th:** “Ohh what a journey it’s been! Thank you for all of the nominations and awards that @emiliaperezfilm has received so far.
**Cynthia Erivo, vying for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her performance in _Wicked_, posted on Instagram on February 26th:** “Oscar nominee class of 2025. Grateful.”
What To Expect at the Ceremonies
In a departure from tradition, this year’s Oscars ceremony **will not feature live performances of all the Best Original Song nominees**. In its place, the Oscars will focus more on the individual songwriters who are invited to share their own reflections and insight into the art of songwriting.
Music lovers will still be able to enjoy performances by celebrated artists. According to the *Los Angeles Times*, audiences can expect musical sets from _Wicked_ stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, as well as appearances from Doja Cat, Queen Latifah, and Lisa from BLACKPINK.