'Nobody's Laughing': Viewers Say Oscars Host Conan O'Brien 'Ruined' the Show with His Joke – Video

The 97th Academy Awards had plenty of star power, but it was its host, who often jokes about his family, who stole the spotlight at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on March 2, 2025.

Conan O'Brien, making his Oscars hosting debut, delivered a joke about Kendrick Lamar and Drake that didn't sit well with most viewers. Some called the quip a complete misstep, while others defended Conan's signature brand of edgy humor.

Conan's attempt at humor at the Oscars became one of the night's most talked-about moments. Midway through hosting the show, he quipped, "Well, we're halfway through the show, which means it's time for Kendrick Lamar to come out and call Drake a pedophile."

The remark was met with a few scattered laughs and claps before Conan quickly followed up with, "Don't worry, I'm lawyered up." Social media quickly erupted with responses to the comedian's joke, with many viewers criticizing it as inappropriate and unnecessary.

One viewer remarked, "The crazy part was when the audience felt disgusted instead cheering [sic]." Another user simply pointed out, "Nobody's laughing." Disappointed, someone else wrote, "He literally ruined the night idc [sic]." Another person who was shocked by the comment declared, "That's crazy!"

Another viewer added, "Disrespect on another level. What happened to us 😔." However, not everyone was critical. One fan found the moment entertaining, calling it the "Funniest moment of the show." Another fan praised the host, "✨⭐️Conan is always hilarious 😂 ⭐️✨."

Conan O'Brien is known for his lighthearted humor. He also often makes jokes about his family in interviews and on social media. He previously discussed his approach to keeping his children away from his public life.

The comedian, who is married with two children, has a stable home life as seen in rare photos of his wife and kids. Professionally, he has navigated challenges on his path to success as a late-night talk show host.

Conan's comedy career took off in Los Angeles, where he wrote for HBO's "Not Necessarily the News" and "Saturday Night Live!" He later developed "Lookwell," a 1991 comedy pilot starring Adam West, but it never became a series.

Burned out after nearly four years at "SNL," he left without a plan. That changed when he joined "The Simpsons" as a writer and producer. Less than two years later, "SNL" creator Lorne Michaels — also producing "The Late Show"— offered him a career-changing opportunity.

After hosting "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" for 18 seasons, he went on to host the 97th Academy Awards on March 2, 2025. Known for his pre-show stretching, the 61-year-old joked in a recent interview about how he prepares "as if about to run a marathon," adding that he'll likely be on the floor in his tuxedo.

As Conan prepared for the Oscars, he viewed it as more than a star-studded event, calling it "a celebration of an entire industry." Months of writing, refining jokes, and watching all 35 nominated films lead up to the night.

While he promised humor and heart, one thing was certain — his signature hairstyle would stay intact, "If I walk out there with floppy bangs, I think you're going to see the stock market crash." Backstage essentials include hair products, Coke Zero "for caffeine," and protein bars for energy, he added.

Backstage preparations aside, Conan is no stranger to high-profile hosting. An Emmy winner, he has twice led the Emmys and the White House Correspondents' Dinner.

Recalling his childhood fascination with the Oscars, he remembers watching Johnny Carson and Bob Hope take the stage. His decision to accept the gig was instinctive, "My gut reaction, which I usually go with, was, 'Yes, let's do this thing!'"

Conan wasn't the only one on board — his wife, Liza Powel O'Brien, a writer, fully supported the decision. "She was very much pro," he said, joking that her enthusiasm may have been tied to securing a spot at the Vanity Fair party. "But no, she thought, 'You should go and do that!'"

Liza's support comes as no surprise — their connection goes back to when she appeared as a guest on "Late Night With Conan O'Brien." The two married in January 2002 at St. James Cathedral. The ceremony was officiated by his longtime friend and former Harvard roommate, the Rev. Paul O'Brien.

The following year, Conan and Liza welcomed their first child, Neve O'Brien, in October 2003. Their son, Beckett O'Brien, was born in November 2005. As their children grew, their interests took shape.

In an August 2014 interview, Conan shared that his then-ten-year-old daughter, Neve, dreamed of becoming a singer, while his eight-year-old son, Beckett, had a strong interest in computers, calling him a mini Steve Jobs.

Now 21, Neve is studying history at Yale University. In a way, she has realized part of her childhood dream by playing soprano guitar for "Tangled Up In Blue," Yale's premier American folk singing group. She also shares a strong bond with Conan, even taking him to Coachella. The experience was a learning curve for him, as Neve helped him navigate the festival and introduced him to new bands.

Meanwhile, Beckett, 19, once joined his dad at the DPEA Maker Faire exhibit. He prefers to stay out of the spotlight, with little public information about his life. His first public mention came at birth.

As a child, he made occasional appearances with his family, including a 2009 outing to Disney's Imagination Movers' first U.S. concert tour in Los Angeles with Conan and Neve. In 2014, he attended the Hammer Museum K.A.M.P. event, this time accompanied by both parents and his sister.

Despite his own success in entertainment, Conan has been intentional about keeping his children grounded. When asked if he uses his connections to get them access to their favorite musicians, he made it clear that he does not.

"I don't take my children to premieres. [...] I don't want my kids living in a zero gravity environment just because I happened to get lucky. I don't want them being around show business," he explained.

In a separate interview, the father of two acknowledged that his ambition has shifted over the years. Marriage, fatherhood, and career success have softened the relentless drive he once had in his 20s, 30s, and 40s.

He believes happiness increases with age, as people stop battling insecurities and recognize how far they have come. For him, the greatest joy now comes from spending time with his wife and children, whom he describes as both "hilarious and smart."

Family has played a key role in keeping Conan humble. From his parents and five siblings to Liza and their kids, he credits them with keeping his perspective in check. "They are all funny and very real, and to this day they don't care that I'm on television. They are proud of me, but they don't care," the Hollywood star revealed in another interview.

His toughest critics, however, are at the breakfast table. No matter how hard he tries to make his kids laugh, their usual response is a dismissive, "Eh?" Conan's humor isn't limited to television — he often uses social media to poke fun at his family.

His wife, in particular, is a frequent subject of his jokes. "All my wife wants for Mother's Day is two years of alone time," he posted on May 8, 2022 on X.

His kids aren't spared either. Weeks later, he wrote, "My children think of me as their best friend, the one they dropped like a stone in high school." By Father's Day, he kept the jokes coming, writing, "For Father's Day my kids regifted me a cold and distant stare."

Though Conan's kids are now young adults they continue to avoid the spotlight. Neve has a private Instagram account, while Beckett maintains an even lower profile.

However, they are occasionally seen out with their parents, with paparazzi capturing family moments over the years. In 2014, Conan was spotted grabbing lunch with Liza and Beckett, and in 2021, he was seen shopping with Liza and Neve.

Though the actor's children prefer privacy, he occasionally shares moments from their upbringing. In February 2023, he recalled a kind gesture from Jason Segel, who invited his kids to visit the set of "The Muppets" while filming. Conan called it "the sweetest thing" anyone had done for him, noting how excited his son and daughter were by the experience.

More recently, in September 2024, he shared a social media post with Liza after winning an Oscar. Fans quickly flooded the comments with admiration for the couple. "Good looking couple," one Instagram user wrote. Another added, "Awww... love Conan. His wife is so pretty." A third chimed in, calling them a "Dream couple."

Conan has built a career on sharp wit, quick humor, and an unmistakable presence in entertainment. Yet, beyond the spotlight, he remains a devoted husband and father, keeping his family life largely private while cherishing the moments he shares with them.

As he hosted the 97th Academy Awards, his signature humor and charm took center stage. Whether entertaining millions or cracking jokes at his own breakfast table, Conan continues to prove that comedy — and family — are at the heart of everything he does.