In a surprising turn of events, former Oscars host Conan O'Brien revealed the Academy's surprisingly rigid rules regarding their iconic statue. During an episode of his podcast, Conan Needs a Friend, O'Brien recounted his attempts to incorporate the Oscar statue into promotional ads for the ceremony. His team pitched several ideas, including a humorous portrayal of himself and a nine-foot-tall Oscar statue in a domestic partnership.
One particularly memorable concept involved the Oscar statue lounging on a couch while O'Brien vacuumed, prompting humorous lines like, "Could you at least lift your feet?" However, the Academy swiftly rejected this and other similar ideas. O'Brien was stunned to learn of a strict rule: "Oscar can never be horizontal." He likened the statue's perceived inviolability to a religious icon.
Adding to the absurdity, the Academy also insisted the statue remain "always naked," dashing hopes for a sketch featuring the Oscar statue wearing an apron. While the reasons behind these rules remain unclear, the Academy's authority over its own imagery is undeniable. It's a shame we missed out on O'Brien's creative vision, but here's hoping for equally clever promotional material next time he hosts—we're rooting for Team Conan Oscar Host 2026!
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