Conan O’Brien Oscars Monologue: Best Jokes, Touching Moments, Adam Sandler’s Shorts And John Lithgow’s Glower

deadline.com:

With a lead-in that included a sentimental tribute to fire-ravaged Los Angeles and then Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo performing several showstoppers from Wicked, “four-time Oscar viewer” Conan O’Brien made his Oscar hosting debut tonight with a lot to prove.

And what better way than to emerge Substance-like from Demi Moore? “That was weird,” O’Brien said about the gross, body-horror special effect – he seemingly left behind a shoe somewhere in the innards of Moore – and got tonight’s opening Oscars monologue off to a fine start.

O’Brien employed his trademark self-deprecating humor to put a stamp on his Oscar performance, taking it easy on the stars in the audience. “I know you’re thinking, Did Conan not have work done?,” he asked. “He looks his age.” Some other high points of the monologue: O’Brien also had a bit of fun with the Amazon-James Bond situation, joking that the new 007 would be played by Steven Belsky, Amazon’s vp of global affairs. “The ladies love him,” O’Brien deadpanned as a very staid, corporate pic of Belsky flashed onscreen.

The comic also noted that Jeff Bezos arrived via Amazon delivery — but the box was stolen. Among the best bits was a repeated joke about how tonight’s winners will be ushered off stage for going long not by the usual music, but by cutting to a “disappointed”-looking John Lithgow — with Lithgow all but stealing the opening with a perfectly dour looking expression.