Conan O’Brien kicked off the 98th Academy Awards with a monologue people are still talking about.
Hosting the Oscars for the second year in a row, Conan delivered a sharp set packed with bold jokes. But one line in particular made the Dolby Theatre crowd gasp.
He pointed out that for the first time since 2012, there were no British actors nominated for Best Actor or Best Actress.
Then he added: “A British spokesperson said, ‘Yeah, well, at least we arrest our pedophiles.’”
The room reacted with a mix of stunned silence, nervous laughter and loud applause. The joke quickly went viral online.
Many saw it as a clear reference to Prince Andrew’s recent arrest in the UK following renewed investigations linked to the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. Conan did not name anyone directly, but the meaning was obvious to viewers.
Some people online called the joke brave and praised Conan for taking risks. Others said it went too far and felt uncomfortable given the serious topic.
The moment became one of the most shared clips of the night. While films like One Battle After Another and Sinners won big, it was Conan’s opening joke that had everyone talking long after the ceremony ended.
