Hollywood loves a comeback story, and honestly, the opening of Oscars 2025 felt like a massive high-five to anyone who still believes in the "magic of the movies." On March 2, 2025, the Dolby Theatre wasn't just a room full of people in itchy formal wear; it became a portal to Oz, a roast session for the ages, and a weirdly emotional tribute to the craftspeople who keep the industry alive.
Most people expected a standard monologue and maybe a safe musical number. Instead, we got a "gravity-defying" spectacle and a host who literally crawled out of a Best Picture nominee’s body. If you missed the live broadcast or just want to relive the chaos, here is the breakdown of the night that proved the Academy might still have a sense of humor.
The Oz Medley: A Vocal Powerhouse to Start
Before a single joke was told, the 97th Academy Awards kicked off with a tribute to the "various versions of Oz." It wasn't just a promo for the Wicked movie—though, let’s be real, it definitely helped.
Ariana Grande appeared first in a sparkly red dress, a direct nod to Dorothy’s ruby slippers. She sang a delicate, haunting rendition of "Over the Rainbow" that had the room dead silent. Then came the shift. Cynthia Erivo took the stage to perform "Home" from the 1975 musical The Wiz. She was wearing a strapless white gown with purple flowers that slowly transitioned to Elphaba-green at the hem.
The energy in the room shifted when the two joined forces for "Defying Gravity." As Erivo hit those impossibly high closing notes, the camera panned to their co-star Michelle Yeoh, who was visibly wiping away tears. It was an angelic start to a night that was about to get a whole lot weirder.
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Conan O’Brien’s Bizarre Entry and Monologue
When it was time for the host, things took a turn into body horror—sort of. Conan O’Brien, making his debut as the Oscars host, appeared in a pre-taped skit parodying the film The Substance. In the clip, Conan literally emerged from the body of Demi Moore.
He walked onto the stage at the Dolby Theatre looking slightly disheveled. "Hi, Demi. How are you?" he quipped. "That was weird. Yeah, awkward. I’m missing some car keys."
Sharp Jokes and Room-Silencing Roasts
Conan’s monologue was classic "Team Coco." He varied his tone from self-deprecating to sharp-edged, ensuring no one felt too safe. He started with a jab at the industry’s reliance on child labor over AI, joking, "We did not use AI to make this show. We used child labor. Hey, they’re still people! Of course, we lost Little Billy, and that’s sad."
One of the tensest moments came when he addressed the controversy surrounding Emilia Pérez star Karla Sofía Gascón.
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"I loved Anora, I really did. Little fact for you: Anora uses the ‘F’ word 479 times. That’s three more than the record set by Karla Sofía Gascón’s publicist," Conan said.
The audience let out a collective groan. Conan didn't back down. "You tweeted what?!" he shouted in a mock-publicist voice. Gascón, to her credit, blew a kiss to the camera and mouthed "thank you," effectively defusing the bomb.
Why the Opening of Oscars 2025 Mattered
Beyond the jokes about Timothée Chalamet’s Bob Dylan portrayal and Adam Sandler’s hoodie-and-shorts attire, the opening set a specific tone. Los Angeles had been ravaged by wildfires recently, and Conan took a moment to get serious.
He acknowledged that any awards show can seem "self-indulgent and superfluous" in the face of such tragedy. But he used that moment to pivot to the "community of people you will never see"—the craftspeople, technicians, and artisans. It was a grounded moment in a night that usually floats three feet above reality.
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Key Moments from the Opening Segment
- The Song and Dance: Conan performed a meta-musical number titled "I Won’t Waste Time," which, in typical Oscar fashion, took up about five minutes of time.
- The John Lithgow Threat: He warned winners that instead of being played off by music, they would be cut to a shot of John Lithgow looking "slightly disappointed" in the audience.
- The Amazon Box: A bit involving Jeff Bezos being delivered in an Amazon box on the red carpet, only for a package thief to run off with it.
The Sentiment of the Night
By the time the first award was handed out—Best Supporting Actor to Kieran Culkin for A Real Pain—the opening of Oscars 2025 had already done its job. It made the room feel smaller and more human. It felt like a late-night talk show on a much larger budget.
There were no major political protests or "slaps" this year. Instead, there was a feeling of collective relief. Even the jokes about The Brutalist being three and a half hours long landed well because the room was actually having a good time.
How to Apply These Insights
If you’re a fan of the Academy Awards or a film buff, the success of this opening offers a few takeaways for the future of the ceremony:
- Watch for Host Synergy: Conan O’Brien’s background in late-night was the "secret sauce." If you’re looking for why a show works, look at the host’s ability to pivot between comedy and sincerity.
- Performance Matters: The Wicked medley proved that high-quality, live musical theater still resonates more than pre-recorded bits.
- Independent Film is Rising: The night eventually became a sweep for Anora, but the opening made sure the audience knew that small, weird, and bold films were the stars of 2025.
To see the full impact of the night, you can look up the official winner lists on Oscars.org or watch the highlights of Conan’s monologue on the ABC YouTube channel. It’s worth the watch just to see Adam Sandler hug Timothée Chalamet while being "kicked out" for his dress code.
The 97th Oscars proved that you don't need a scandal to be memorable; you just need a host willing to crawl out of a prosthetic back and two of the best singers in the world to start the show.