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

In a bizarre twist of events, the renowned comedian and former Oscars host Conan O'Brien shared a peculiar encounter with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. During an episode of the podcast "Conan Needs a Friend," hosted by his former Oscars head writer Mike Sweeney, O'Brien recounted how the Academy rebuffed his creative promotional ideas for the ceremony.

O'Brien's vision included a series of ads portraying him in a domestic partnership with a 9-foot tall Oscar statue. One particular concept involved the statue lounging on a large couch while O'Brien humorously requested assistance with household chores like vacuuming and loading the dishwasher. However, the Academy firmly rejected this idea, insisting that the Oscar statue "can never be horizontal."

The comedian expressed his astonishment at this rule, likening the Oscar to a sacred relic: "Like, wow, this is like the thigh bone of St. Peter. This is a religious icon." Furthermore, the Academy also mandated that the statue must remain "always naked," thwarting O'Brien's additional concept of the Oscar wearing an apron as a housewife serving leftovers.

These strict guidelines on the Oscar's portrayal might seem peculiar, but they reflect the Academy's stringent control over its iconic symbol. While it's disappointing that fans won't see O'Brien's creative vision come to life, his humorous take on these restrictions adds a light-hearted perspective to the situation.

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Despite the Academy's rigid rules, there's hope that O'Brien will return with equally witty and engaging ideas for future ceremonies. We're certainly rooting for Team Conan to host the Oscars in 2026, where his comedic talents can shine once again.