Conan O’Brien Jokes He Only Took Oscar Hosting Duties “So That I Could Be Invited”; Gives Billy Crystal & Jimmy Kimmel Shoutout

deadline.com:

Conan O’Brien will host the Oscars ceremony on Sunday night and is joking about the real reason he took on the gig. Previewing the 97th annual Academy Awards, the former late-night talk show host joked at a press conference, “I only hosted so that I could be invited to the Oscars.” He added: “You’re supposing that I’m the perfect person.

We don’t know.” The comedian joked that he was “probably the greatest entertainer” the producers have ever worked with. After producers said that working with O’Brien has been “a delightful experience,” the stand-up comic said, “Well, let’s see what you’re saying on Monday.” “It has been a really lovely experience,” O’Brien said about collaborating on hosting the award show. “The Oscars team, they’re just incredible professionals.

They know what they’re doing. They do beautiful work and it’s been a thrill for myself and for my head writer, Mike Sweeney, and also my lawyer as well.” RELATED: Oscar Producers Preview The Big Night: Heartfelt L.A.

Tribute And Fires’ Impact On Show, Star Reunions, Musical Numbers, Conan, Politics & More O’Brien said that one of the things that has him the most excited is the tuxedo he’ll wear on Oscar night.