Oscars joke writer Skyler Higley defended the Kendrick Lamar and Drake joke he wrote for the 97th Academy Awards monologue. He explained the joke was in reference to the cultural moment and that O'Brien was not taking sides in the rappers' feud.

Conan O’Brien was funny, witty, heartfelt, and sincere. He’ll go down as delivering one of the best Oscar opening monologues in history. Oh my god please let Conan O’Brien host every Oscars ceremony from now on

Attendees of the 2025 Oscars found a little surprise under their seats to help them make it through the long award show. Ramin Setoodeh, co-editor-in-chief of Variety, gave viewers an inside look at the small care package event organizers left for celebrities on Hollywood's biggest night.