Conan O’Brien added fuel to the intrigue about the mystery host of next year’s Academy Awards on Tuesday by confirming on his show that he will not be emceeing the show.
His revelation, gleefully understated, left television-watching Oscar watchers once again in a state of conjecture about who will be stepping onstage to host Hollywood’s big night.
Moments after Mr. O’Brien’s admission, the Hollywood Reporter published a report that excluded his name from its list of candidates.
Neither host, should either emerge as the emcee for the 90th Academy Awards broadcasting on March 4, 2018, would be a big name. Jimmy Kimmel won an Emmy for hosting the most recent ceremony, netting a modest 32.3 million viewers.
Mr. O’Brien returned to late-night television this past fall on the struggling cable channel TBS, his new project far removed from the glamour and ratings power of NBC’s “Tonight” show. His TBS program has received good reviews but is considered a modest ratings performer for the network.
His tenure at NBC was plagued by challenges, most notably conflicts with network executives that led to a $45 million exit from the network in 2010.
Mr. Kimmel, whose record producing televised variety specials far exceed those of any network late-night host since Johnny Carson, is finishing his 14th years as host of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on ABC, which has received critical acclaim and award nominations recognizing his creative efforts as host. But its ratings have slipped from their early peaks.
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