Academy Awards 2026: Should We Even Care?

It’s up to returning host Conan O’Brien to salvage what will likely be the most divisive ceremony in Oscar history.

Host Conan O'Brien performs onstage during the 97th Annual Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 2, 2025. Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Airing this Sunday, March 15 on ABC, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) will put on its 98th annual ceremony of self-congratulatory back-slapping while likely insulting over half of the United States citizenry.

Deriding Middle America is something AMPAS largely avoided until the mid-2000s. Over time, the gig dismissed subtlety in its disdain for traditional values and the ratings began to steadily decline until bottoming out in 2024.

The Perfect Storm

Dubious hosting choices were just one factor contributing to the AMPAS maelstrom. Incorrectly fearing it was too old and too white, AMPAS began including younger people of color, many outside the United States. Not surprisingly, this had an effect on what kinds of movies were chosen for awards consideration.