Oscars 2026: speech mix-ups, missing stars, and conan's 'lifetime' hosting gig

The 2026 Academy Awards were, as so many before them, a spectacle of triumphs and tribulations. From a truncated acceptance speech for K-pop songwriter Yu Han Lee to noticeable omissions from the In Memoriam segment, the night provided ample fodder for post-show discussion. But behind the scenes, the Academy is already addressing the hiccups, even solidifying a potentially unexpected tradition.

Academy tackles speech time limits, in memoriam omissions, and conan o'brien's future

One of the most immediate talking points revolved around Yu Han Lee's acceptance speech – or rather, its abrupt ending. Lee, celebrated for his “Golden” win, found himself cut off mid-sentence. Academy executives acknowledged the issue in a post-show interview with Variety, suggesting a potential solution: designated speaking times and the possibility of continuing speeches backstage, with updates shared on social media. “You win the Oscar, you know you go on stage, it could be one person, it could be five or six,” explained Rob Mills, a key figure in the Oscars production. “Immediately you’ll see the sort of allotted time we have for them. Do we need to look at it and say, okay, designate one person to speak?”

The In Memoriam segment also drew criticism, with several prominent figures – including actors James Van Der Beek, Eric Dane, and Malcolm-Jamal Warner – absent from the televised tribute, though acknowledged on the Academy’s website. Mills conceded the difficulty of curating the segment, particularly given the increasing number of industry losses. “It always is hard when they are sort of villainized for this,” he stated. “We’re losing more and more people, and especially, we’re losing legendary people every year, so it is probably the hardest needle to thread.” He added that this year’s selection might ultimately be the strongest yet.

Perhaps the most surprising revelation came regarding Conan O’Brien. Sources confirm that the comedian has been offered, and accepted, a “lifetime” hosting gig for the Oscars, at least while the show remains on ABC before its move to YouTube in 2029. The gag featuring Jim Downey reprising his role from Paul Thomas Anderson’s film was not a joke. “That is no joke,” Mills confirmed. “Conan is host for life.” The offer, he emphasized, is “as solid as oak.”

While the ceremony wasn't without its stumbles, the Academy’s willingness to address these issues suggests a commitment to refinement. The six wins for One Battle After Another, Sinners' four victories, and Frankenstein's three awards highlight the night's winners. The Academy’s decision to revisit speech protocols and the ongoing challenge of honoring a constantly growing list of luminaries point to an institution perpetually adapting to a changing landscape. The Oscars, after all, are not just a celebration of cinematic achievement; they are a reflection of the industry itself.