I’m not gonna lie—Oscars opening monologues can be hit or miss. But when Conan O’Brien is involved, you already know there’s a high chance something random, weird, and actually funny is about to land.
That’s exactly what happened with this moment, which quickly made the rounds in this Reddit thread. Conan kicked things off by joking that security was “extremely tight” due to concerns about attacks from the opera and ballet communities—a line that sounds ridiculous on paper but somehow worked perfectly in delivery.
A Joke That Was Silly… but Also Very Targeted
At first, the joke feels completely random. Opera and ballet? Security threats? It’s absurd in that classic Conan way.
But a lot of viewers immediately caught the context behind it. The line was widely interpreted as a playful jab tied to recent comments floating around online about traditional art forms like opera and ballet being “irrelevant” or fading.
That’s what made the joke hit—it wasn’t just nonsense. It had just enough real-world context to give it an edge, without actually turning mean.
Why Conan’s Style Still Works
One thing people kept pointing out is how Conan manages to roast without making it uncomfortable. Even when he’s poking fun at someone or something, it feels light, almost self-aware.
As one commenter put it, he leans into “silly, outlandish” humor instead of going for direct, cutting insults. And that’s probably why audiences still respond so well to him—especially at an event like the Oscars, where things can get a little stiff.
It’s a tough balance, but he makes it look easy.
The Internet Immediately Ran With It
Of course, once the joke landed, the internet did what it always does—ran it into the ground in the best way possible.
People started imagining over-the-top scenarios, like ballet dancers storming the stage or opera singers launching dramatic attacks mid-ceremony. Others joked about specific celebrities being the “target” of the line, especially with cameras conveniently cutting to certain audience members right after the punchline.
It turned a quick throwaway joke into a full-blown meme moment.
A Classic Oscars Opening Moment
What makes this stand out is how simple it is. No big controversy, no awkward silence—just a clean joke that gets a reaction and sets the tone for the night.
And honestly, that’s kind of rare.
Because when the opening monologue works, everything feels smoother after it. The audience relaxes, the show finds its rhythm, and suddenly the whole event feels a little less formal.
In other words, exactly what Conan does best.
And yeah—if the rest of the night had that same energy, nobody’s complaining.
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