At the 97th Annual Academy Awards on March 2, 2025, Conan O’Brien took the stage as host, bringing his signature humor and quick wit. However, one particular joke landed him in hot water, with some viewers calling it inappropriate and even claiming he “ruined” the show.
The Controversial Joke
During his monologue, O’Brien made a reference to the ongoing feud between rappers Kendrick Lamar and Drake, quipping:
“Well, we’re halfway through the show, which means it’s time for Kendrick Lamar to come out and call Drake a pedophile.”
The audience responded with a mix of gasps, nervous laughter, and some awkward silence. Realizing the tension in the room, O’Brien quickly added, “Don’t worry, I’m lawyered up,” in an attempt to lighten the mood. However, the damage was already done.
This joke referred to Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us,” which gained attention following his Super Bowl Halftime Show performance. The track accuses Drake of inappropriate behavior, a claim that Drake has vehemently denied, even filing a lawsuit against Universal Music Group for spreading what he calls “false and malicious narratives.”
Backlash from Viewers
Social media exploded with reactions. While some found the joke funny, many felt that it crossed the line, especially since the allegations against Drake are still a subject of controversy. Twitter (now X) and Instagram were flooded with comments such as:
- “That was so unnecessary. Nobody’s laughing, Conan.”
- “Why bring up something so serious in a joke? It totally killed the mood.”
- “This is the Academy Awards, not a late-night roast.”
Others, however, defended O’Brien, arguing that he was simply referencing a major pop culture moment and making a joke about how the feud had taken over social media in recent months.
Industry Reactions
Despite the audience’s mixed response, some in the entertainment industry supported O’Brien’s humor. Comedy writer Skyler Higley, who helped craft O’Brien’s monologue, defended the joke, stating:
“Conan was just pointing out how this feud has dominated headlines—it wasn’t meant to take a side or make any serious accusations.”
Meanwhile, fellow comedian and former Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel reportedly chuckled backstage, saying, “Hey, at least he didn’t slap anyone.” This was, of course, a nod to the infamous 2022 Oscars incident when Will Smith slapped Chris Rock over a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith.
Conan’s Response
While O’Brien did not publicly apologize, he addressed the backlash with his signature humor during the post-Oscars interviews, saying:
“If I had known my joke would upset people this much, I would have just stuck to the usual safe topics—like Hollywood’s history of casting controversies and billionaires crying about not winning Oscars.”
Final Thoughts
The Oscars are no stranger to controversy, and O’Brien’s joke has now been added to the list of infamous awards show moments. Whether he truly “ruined” the night or just delivered an edgy joke that didn’t land well, one thing is certain—the debate over comedy’s limits at live events continues.
