Today, in a surprising twist from the world of entertainment, former Oscars host Conan O’Brien shared an amusing anecdote about his experience with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. During an episode of the podcast "Conan Needs a Friend," hosted by his Oscars head writer Mike Sweeney, O’Brien disclosed that the Academy had rejected his creative promotional ideas for the ceremony. Specifically, they wouldn't allow him to feature the iconic Oscar statue in a horizontal position or clothed for his proposed ad campaign.
Keep that Oscar upstanding. Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP.
O’Brien envisioned a series of ads where he and a 9-foot tall Oscar statue would portray a domestic partnership, engaging in everyday couple disputes. One idea included the statue lounging on a large couch, with O’Brien humorously asking it to lift its feet or help with household chores. However, the Academy firmly declined this concept, stating that the Oscar statue "can never be horizontal."
Reflecting on the Academy's strict guidelines, O’Brien humorously compared the Oscar to a sacred relic, saying, “Like, wow, this is like the thigh bone of St. Peter. This is a religious icon.” He also mentioned another rejected idea where the statue would wear an apron while serving leftovers, which was dismissed because the Academy insists the statue remains "always naked."
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While the Academy's decisions might seem peculiar, they are within their rights to maintain the integrity and presentation of the Oscar statue. It's unfortunate that fans missed out on seeing O’Brien's creative vision come to life in these promotional ads. Nonetheless, fans remain hopeful that O’Brien will return with equally entertaining ideas if he hosts the Oscars in 2026.
