Saturday Night Live alumni seem like the perfect pool from which to pull a host for the Academy Awards. But one former cast member wants nothing to do with the gig, no matter how well he may do.
Conan O'Brien will host the 2025 Oscars ceremony. The late-night TV legend and former Saturday Night Live writer follows Jimmy Kimmel with the honor. O'Brien should bring a much different tone to the show. However, he faces a difficult challenge that another SNL alum wants no part of.
"No," said Seth Meyers when asked if he'd ever host the Oscars. "I mean, I think its a thankless job," he told Yahoo! Entertainment during the Golden Globes red carpet. The Late Night host was nominated for best stand-up special.
Meyers may not think he's up for the job, but he has confidence in his SNL and Late Night predecessor. "I think Conan's going to kill it. I'm excited about that," Meyers shared.
For Meyers, the Golden Globes is the ideal job when it comes to hosting an awards show. He told Yahoo! the Globes are "the fun one" and it's difficult to imagine doing any other ceremony. Meyers hosted the Golden Globes in 2018.
"A lot of respect for my buddy Jimmy Kimmel," Meyers continued. Kimmel has hosted the Oscars four times. However, the late-night TV star recently suggested he's done with the job. "But [Kimmel's] never said anything to me to make me think 'Oh, I'd like to do that,'" Meyers added.
Which Saturday Night Live stars have hosted the Oscars?
Since 1975, Saturday Night Live has been turning out some of the biggest names in comedy. The ability to perform live sketch comedy translates well to hosting an awards show like the Oscars, leading to several emcees with SNL connections.
Original cast member Chevy Chase co-hosted the Oscars in 1987 and 1988. Billy Crystal held the gig an impressive nine times: 1990, '91, '92, '93, '97, '98, 2000, 2004, 2012.
Chris Rock got the job in 2005 and 2016. Former SNL writer Conan O'Brien will host for the first time in 2025.
The 97th Academy Awards ceremony will take place on March 2, 2025. ABC will air the event and stream it on Hulu.