Oscars host Conan O'Brien makes Leonardo DiCaprio and Timothée Chalamet cringe during epic opening monologue
- Tomas Kauer - International News Writer and Moderator 
Oscars host Conan O'Brien delivered a blistering opening monologue at the 2026 Oscars, taking aim at some of the award attendees and referencing the United States' volatile political landscape.
As expected, Best Actor hopeful Timothée Chalamet was not spared following his controversial comments about opera and ballet, with O'Brien taking aim at the Marty Supreme star.
"Security is extremely tight tonight," O'Brien said. "I'm told there are concerns about attacks from both the opera and ballet communities."
The camera then panned to Chalamet, who chuckled good naturedly from his seat in the audience beside girlfriend Kylie Jenner as O'Brien addressed him directly and added, "They're just mad you left out jazz".
O'Brien then fired the first political salvo of the night.
"I should warn you tonight could get political. Okay?" he said.
"And if that makes you uncomfortable, there's an alternate Oscars being hosted by Kid Rock," – a reference to the alternative halftime show that was held during the Super Bowl as a protest to Bad Bunny's halftime show performance, which was delivered in Spanish.
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O'Brien also honed in on Leonardo DiCaprio, quipping that he was the subject of more memes than any other actor and he planned to make him the subject of a new one that night.
And he did. Expect the below to be seen by millions tomorrow.
O'Brien also welcomed Netflix chief exective Ted Sarandos to the Oscars, and said it was also his "first time in a theatre" before attempting to read his mind.
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"Why are they all together enjoying themselves? They should be home alone, where I can monetise it," he said.
It is the second time O'Brien has hosted the Oscars. He took over from Jimmy Fallon in 2025.
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