'Oscar Can Never Be Horizontal' — Conan O'Brien Reveals the Weird Academy Demands for Oscars Statues in Promos

Today in bizarre news, recent Oscars host Conan O'Brien shared a surprising revelation on his podcast, "Conan Needs a Friend," hosted by his head writer Mike Sweeney. O'Brien disclosed that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences firmly rejected his creative promotional ad ideas for the ceremony. The concepts involved portraying a domestic partnership between O'Brien and a towering 9-foot Oscar statue, but the Academy had strict rules about how the statue could be depicted.

Keep that Oscar upstanding. Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP.

O'Brien detailed one idea where the statue would be lounging on a couch while he vacuumed around it, humorously asking the statue to lift its feet or help with chores like loading the dishwasher. However, the Academy was adamant: "Oscar can never be horizontal," one of their representatives stated, which O'Brien likened to the reverence given to a religious relic. Furthermore, the Academy insisted that the statue must always be depicted "naked," dashing O'Brien's additional concept of the statue wearing an apron and serving leftovers.

These stringent guidelines from the Academy seem puzzling at first glance, but they are part of a set of rules governing the iconic Oscar statue. Despite the rejection, O'Brien's creative vision showcases his unique comedic style, leaving fans hoping for more of his wit in future Oscar ceremonies. We're already rooting for Team Conan Oscar Host 2026.

The History of Comic Book Movies at the Oscars

45 ImagesWhile the Academy's decisions might seem odd, they are within their rights to maintain the integrity and image of the Oscar statue. It's a shame we missed out on seeing O'Brien's full comedic potential in these ads, but his innovative approach to humor keeps us eagerly anticipating his next move.