If there is one thing Conan O'Brien is known for, it is setting a room ablaze with his razor-sharp humour, and the comedian wasted no time doing exactly that as he opened the 98th Academy Awards. Taking the stage at the Dolby Theatre, O’Brien delivered a rapid-fire monologue packed with playful jabs at Hollywood and beyond, even taking cheeky digs at Netflix, artificial intelligence, and Kid Rock.

Here is what Conan O'Brien said as he kept the roasting mode fully switched on at the 2026 Oscars.

Conan O'Brien wasted no time unleashing his signature humour, kicking off the night with a playful jab at the ongoing clash between Hollywood theatres and streaming giants like Netflix. Teasing the industry’s shifting landscape, the host suggested that even Netflix’s top brass might not be too familiar with the big-screen experience.

"First time in a theater!” O’Brien said to the audience at the 98th Academy Awards.

Keeping the laughs rolling, O’Brien pivoted to one of Hollywood’s most pressing conversations, artificial intelligence, joking that he might be the last human host at the Oscars.

“I might be the last human host.” O'Brien added.

But the comedian was not done roasting yet. As the crowd burst into laughter once again, O’Brien smoothly steered the moment into another cultural jab, referencing the buzz around the alternate Super Bowl halftime show earlier this year. Seizing the moment, the comedian playfully took aim at Kid Rock, teasing the audience about a rival Oscars unfolding somewhere down the street.

“I should warn you tonight could get political. And if that makes you uncomfortable there's an alternate Oscars hosted by Kid Rock. It's at the Dave & Busters down the street.” O'Brien told the audience.

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However, amid the rolling laughter and sharp one-liners of the night, Conan O’Brien stepped away from his roasting mode into a deeply emotional moment, introducing the Rob Reiner tribute he had earlier hinted.

While announcing the In Memoriam segment, Conan O’Brien appeared visibly emotional, a moment he had earlier hinted would be one of the most powerful parts of the ceremony during an interview with Extra on March 11, 2026. Reflecting on the tribute to his late friend Rob Reiner, the host shared his personal connection before inviting longtime friend and collaborator Billy Crystal to the stage. The tribute then continued as Crystal delivered a heartfelt speech, closing his remarks with the memorable line from The Princess Bride, reminiscing about the time long gone. 

“Buddy, what fun we had storming the castle.” Crystal thought out loud. 

Following the speech, a powerful onstage reunion unfolded as 17 actors from Reiner’s most beloved films joined Crystal, including Meg Ryan (When Harry Met Sally), Jerry O’Connell and Wil Wheaton (Stand by Me), Michael McKean and Christopher Guest (This Is Spinal Tap), and Mandy Patinkin (The Princess Bride). 

As the tribute became one of the most emotional highlights of the night, the 2026 Oscars continued unfolding in a mix of laughter and heartfelt moments, with Conan O’Brien’s sharp humour still echoing through the ceremony.

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What are your thoughts on Conan O'Brien's dig at Netflix, AI, and Kid Rock in the Oscar Opening Monologue? Let us know in the comments.