There were doubts about who would present the 99th awards of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences of the United States, but this Tuesday, 10 months before they take place, they have finally been cleared up: it will be Conan O’Brien, for the third time in a row, who will take charge of the Oscar gala. Now the question is different: will it be able to do it a fourth time in, no less, than the centenary of the awards, in 2028?
O’Brien, 63 years old and originally from Massachusetts, to praise from critics and the public. Hence, just two weeks after the film festival, . However, when on April 7, three weeks after the gala, the name of the presenter of either event was not made public. That contributed to creating certain doubts about whether O’Brien would repeat, especially in the highly anticipated 100th birthday. On that one, it is not yet known, but for now he will take the stage of the Dolby Theater in Hollywood before millions of viewers of the ABC network on March 14, 2027, at seven in the afternoon (Pacific time). Nominations will be announced on January 21, 2027, and the nominees luncheon will take place on February 16.
These will be the penultimate awards in a few years that will be held in that place, in that neighborhood and that will be broadcast on the channel owned by the Disney conglomerate. Once the 100th gala had passed, both the red carpet and , but in Downtown, the financial and administrative neighborhood of Los Angeles. An agreement with a business partner will see Dolby move to a theater called LA Live, and known as Peacock in recent years (also due to another million-dollar deal). Since 2002, and with the sole exception of the covid pandemic ceremony, in 2021, when they moved to Union Station, the Oscars have been held at the Dolby, located right on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
In addition, also in 2029 the Oscars will take a big leap in terms of their broadcast, since they will leave linear television for and throughout the world. In addition to the gala, other associated content can also be seen on YouTube, such as the famous hour-long parade along the well-known red carpet or also live and a couple of months before the nominations. You will also see the , which until now were not issued, as well as the student awards, the technical awards, podcasts or educational films about the history of the Academy and its museum.
Disney president Craig Erwich has stated that Conan O’Brien, winner of six Emmy Awards, “has created a very important energy around the Oscars.” “His unique comedic style turns Hollywood’s biggest night into one of the most entertaining celebrations of the year,” he said. “We are proud to welcome him back and look forward to what he and the production team have in store for the next edition.” In addition to the comedian, its executive producers from recent years, Katy Mullan and Raj Kapoor, will once again be at the helm of the gala, for their fourth consecutive year. Jeff Ross and Mike Sweeney will be producers for the third year, and Sweeney will also be a screenwriter.
In a statement, the president of the Academy, producer Lynette Howell Taylor, and its executive director, Bill Kramer, have stated that they are “excited” to have the entire team back: “They have created captivating, entertaining and moving shows over the last two years. We are very grateful for their continued collaboration in this tribute to our global film community, and we look forward to Conan masterfully leading this celebration with his wit and humor.” In said statement, O’Brien has not commented.
