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

Today in weird news, recent Oscars host Conan O’Brien shared an intriguing tale about the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' strict rules regarding the Oscar statue. On his podcast, "Conan Needs a Friend," O’Brien discussed how the Academy rejected his promotional ad ideas for the ceremony, which involved him and a 9-foot tall Oscar statue in a domestic partnership.

O’Brien envisioned a series of ads where he and the Oscar statue would engage in typical couple disputes. One concept involved the statue lounging on a couch while O’Brien vacuumed, humorously asking it to lift its feet or help with chores. However, the Academy firmly declined these ideas, stating that the Oscar statue must never be shown horizontally.

"One of the people from the Academy came forward and said, 'Oscar can never be horizontal.' And that blew my mind," O’Brien recounted. He likened the statue to a religious icon, highlighting the Academy's strict rules. Additionally, the Academy insisted that the statue remain "always naked," thwarting another of O’Brien's ideas to dress it in an apron as a housewife serving leftovers.

These seemingly quirky rules from the Academy might seem baffling, but they are steadfast in their enforcement. While it's disappointing that we missed out on seeing O’Brien's comedic vision come to life, there's hope that he'll return with equally clever ideas for future ceremonies. We're definitely rooting for Team Conan Oscar Host 2026.

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