Conan O'Brien retains his throne as King of the Oscars with opening monologue

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Security is tight at this year’s Oscar’s awards, and the major concerns came from the opera and ballet communities, Conan O’brien joked as he kicked off the 98th Academy Awards.“They’re just mad you left out jazz,” O’Brien quips at Timothée Chalamet, who smiled from the crowd.

The “Marty Supreme” actor faced backlash earlier this month over remarks he made about the arts during a Variety and CNN town hall with Matthew McConaughey in February.Chalamet said he appreciated those working to keep movie theaters alive, noting he doesn’t “want to be working in ballet or opera or things where it’s like, ‘Hey! Keep this thing alive.’ Even though it’s like no one cares about this anymore.” O’Brien acknowledged the “very chaotic, frightening times,” during Sunday’s awards, all the while landing friendly quips to the star-studded audience during his opening monologue.The Oscars are “particularly resonant” during times of turmoil, he said, noting that 31 countries across six continents were represented in the show.

“Every film we salute is a product of thousands of people speaking different language, working hard to make something of beauty,” O’Brien said.“We pay tribute tonight, not just to film, but to the ideals of global artistry, collaboration, patience, resilience, and that rarest of qualities today: optimism.”The comedian joked that Sunday’s awards was the first time Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos was in a theater.

O’Brien also warned the show might get political, and said anyone who is uncomfortable can catch an alternate version of the show “hosted by Kid Rock at the Dave and Busters down the street” a jab at the MAGA-fueled Super Bowl halftime show earlier this year.O’Brien acknowledged the major movies up for awards this year, with “Sinners” receiving a round of applause from the audience.

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