Conan O’Brien roasts Timothee Chalamet over opera and ballet remark: 'Security is tight tonight'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: The 98th Academy Awards opened with host Conan O'Brien delivering a monologue packed with sharp humor and topical references. During the ceremony, the comedian took playful jabs at several figures and controversies in the entertainment world.

Among the main targets of his jokes was actor Timothee Chalamet, whose earlier comments about opera and ballet had sparked debate online. The opening remarks quickly set the tone for a night of satire, pop-culture commentary and reactions from the star-studded audience.

Conan O’Brien jokes about Timothee Chalamet at Oscars

Early in the monologue, O’Brien referenced the controversy surrounding Chalamet’s remarks about traditional performing arts. He had previously said that “no one cares” about opera or ballet, comments that drew criticism from supporters of those art forms.

At the Oscars, O’Brien used the situation as material for one of the night’s biggest laughs.

The host joked that security was especially strict at the ceremony, saying, “Security is extremely tight tonight,” before adding that there were concerns about potential “attacks from both the opera and ballet communities.” The comment prompted laughter in the theater as cameras cut to Chalamet sitting in the audience.

O’Brien continued the bit by teasing the actor further, quipping that the critics were upset because “they’re just mad you left out jazz.” Chalamet reacted with a smile and laughed along with the audience, showing he was in good spirits despite being the subject of the punchline.

Other sharp moments from Conan O’Brien's Oscars monologue

Beyond the jokes about Chalamet, O’Brien’s opening monologue also included commentary on several other topics and cultural moments.

The comedian began the ceremony with humorous remarks about artificial intelligence, joking that he might be the “last human host” of the Academy Awards and that a self-driving car could host the ceremony in the future.

His monologue also touched on political and cultural issues. At one point, O’Brien referenced the absence of British nominees in certain acting categories and used the moment to comment on scandals connected to Prince Andrew and convicted offender Jeffrey Epstein, making a pointed joke about accountability in high-profile cases.

The comedian referenced the conservative movement in one of his sharper jokes and mocked the idea of an alternate awards ceremony hosted by Kid Rock.