Watch: Conan O'Brien’s ‘Opera’ Joke Leaves Timothée Chalamet Red-Faced at Oscars 2026

The 2026 Academy Awards opened with a dose of playful roasting as host Conan O'Brien took aim at actor Timothée Chalamet during his opening monologue, referencing the backlash the star recently faced over comments about opera and ballet.

The ceremony took place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, where the comedian delivered a series of sharp but light hearted jokes to a packed audience of Hollywood’s biggest names.

Chalamet has been under fire after saying in a recent conversation with Matthew McConaughey that “no one cares” about opera and ballet anymore.

Pouncing on the ‘Opera’ row, O’Brien joked about the controversy early in his monologue.

“Security is very tight tonight, there's concerns about attacks from the ballet & opera communities,” he said.

How did Timothée Chalamet react to Conan O’Brien’s opera joke at the Oscars 2026?

The Oscars broadcast then cut to Chalamet, 30, seated with his girlfriend Kylie Jenner. The pair appeared to take the joke in stride, with Jenner flashing a wide smile while the actor took the joke very sportingly.

Timothée’s face was priceless. He knew he started a war.

O’Brien continued the gag moments later.

“They’re just mad you left out jazz,” the 62 year old quipped, as the cameras captured a musician dressed in white playing a beat on a sculpted backside using a ping pong paddle.

Ping pong is the sport played by Chalamet’s character in ‘Marty Supreme’, the film that earned him a nomination for Best Actor.

The actor was seated at a table during the ceremony with Jenner, marking his first high profile public appearance since his late February conversation with McConaughey.

“All respect to the ballet and opera people out there,” he quickly added.

What political joke did Conan O’Brien crack during his Oscars 2026 monologue?

O’Brien, hosting the Oscars for the second consecutive year, kept the tone lively by turning his attention to politics, music and even artificial intelligence.

“I should warn you, tonight could get political, okay?” he told the crowd, before adding, “And if that makes you uncomfortable, there’s an alternate Oscars being hosted by Kid Rock. It’s at the Dave & Buster’s down the street.”

The comedian also took a jab at the British royal Prince Andrew over his controversies related to Jeffrey Epstein.

“For the first time since 2011, there are no British actors nominated,” O’Brien said, adding that a British spokesperson responded by saying, “Yeah, but at least we arrest our pedophiles.”

The host even joked about the growing influence of artificial intelligence in filmmaking.

“I’m honored to be the last human host of the Academy Awards,” he said. “Next year it’s going to be a Waymo in a tux.”