Conan O'Brien's second consecutive turn hosting the Academy Awards earned him more praise from critics and fans alike. However, one viewer at home wasn't exactly impressed with the late-night icon's material.
Early in the night, O’Brien took aim at the increasingly common trend of “alternative” broadcasts tailored to specific audiences. Usually, it's a crowd that declares the mainstream event as "too woke," and therefore need a response. “Tonight could get political, and if that makes you uncomfortable, there’s an alternate Oscars being hosted by Kid Rock,” O’Brien told the crowd. “It’s at the Dave & Buster’s down the street.”
The punchline from O'Brien was a clear nod to the conservative counter-programming seen during this year’s Super Bowl, when Turning Point USA staged its own halftime show in protest of Bad Bunny’s performance. That event, which included an (underwhelming) Kid Rock performance, quickly became fodder for jokes across late-night television.
Kid Rock wasn't taking O'Brien's joke lying down, however. The musician took to social media and gave his review: “I love a good joke, even when I am the butt of it,” he wrote on X. “Unfortunately, this was not a very good one.”
It’s a fairly measured response, all things considered, but also one that raises an eyebrow. Kid Rock’s Super Bowl alternative appearance was already a frequent punchline when it happened, making his decision to single out O’Brien’s Oscars jab feel a little odd. If anything, O’Brien’s joke was relatively mild compared to the broader wave of mockery that circulated at the time.
Then again, there may be more practical motivations at play. Calling attention to the moment keeps Kid Rock in the headlines, which never hurts when there’s an upcoming tour to promote. In that sense, the critique may be less about comedic standards and more about staying culturally relevant (your move, Dave & Buster's)
As for O’Brien, the joke itself probably won’t go down as one of his sharpest of the night. That honor probably belongs to the Timothee Chalamet quip about the ballet and opera communities. The Kid Rock joke was quick, topical, and drew a modest laugh.
For a host known more for surreal bits than political jabs, the line demonstrated a willingness to engage with the political headlines that increasingly invade major entertainment events. Rather than ignore it altogether, O’Brien acknowledged it, then moved on, keeping the tone relatively breezy.