Conan O'Brien to return as Oscars host in 2026

Conan will be back next year to host the Oscars! This is excellent news, and the timing of it makes things even better. While O'Brien was a good Oscars host, the fact he was going to be hosting was announced much closer to the event, and it seems he didn't get the gig much before that. Preparation should be easier for all parties involved, which could (and hopefully will) lead to a show that even more enjoyable. Plus, this time there will hopefully be no gratuitous "Wizard of Oz" and James Bond-related numbers!

The fact O'Brien is down to host again is nice, and it feels entirely plausible this won't be the last time. Unlike, say, Jimmy Kimmel or Ellen DeGeneres, Conan doesn't have an ongoing television gig that takes up his time. Sure, he has his podcasting empire, but that's a bit easier to manage. It's probably a bit late for Conan to catch Billy Crystal at nine (and certainly Bob Hope at 19), but if he's up for it, he could end up joining Kimmel in the rarefied four-timers club.