In a recent episode of the popular talk show, Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend, legendary actor Billy Crystal reminisced about his experiences hosting the Oscars. The conversation took a nostalgic turn as Crystal reflected on how the landscape of media entertainment has changed over the years.
Crystal started by highlighting how, in the past, everyone was on the same page when it came to movies and popular culture. He mentioned that hosting the Oscars was one of the last times when the right person was chosen for the job and everyone was in sync. He contrasted this with the present, where he often finds himself watching movies and not being familiar with some of the references mentioned by hosts.
During his tenure as Oscars host, Crystal had incredible material and felt comfortable and in charge of the room. He described it as a time when everybody gathered around the campfire, an atmosphere that he fears may not come back due to the rise of streaming platforms and the decline of movie theaters.
Crystal also shared about his journey to hosting the Oscars. After successfully hosting the Grammy Awards, he had earned his way into the movie world, landing several movie hits before taking on the prestigious hosting gig. However, he acknowledged that nowadays, having movie hits is no longer a requirement to host the Oscars, which can relieve unnecessary pressure.
The conversation between Crystal and O’Brien also delved into their experiences as hosts. Crystal admitted that he felt excited and confident walking out on stage, thanks to his solid material and the collaboration he had with his co-writer. He commended the magic of delivering a great joke and garnering laughs, especially when targeting icons like Jack Nicholson. Crystal remembered joking about Nicholson’s massive paycheck for the movie Batman and how the actor took it all in good stride.
Crystal further shared a behind-the-scenes moment during the Oscars. He mentioned a memorable encounter with Warren Beatty and Jack Nicholson during an 18-minute gap in the show. Beatty and Nicholson expressed their support for Crystal, emphasizing the importance of his hosting role. Their selfless and encouraging words left a lasting impression on Crystal.
The discussion took another amusing turn as Crystal recounted an interaction with the legendary Bob Hope. Crystal introduced Hope to the audience, remarking that he was temporarily renting his house. Hope, who had hearing problems at the time, promptly gave Crystal a playful gesture, which left the host laughing. Crystal received a handwritten note from Hope the next day, praising his performance and humorously offering to play his brother in the film Mr. Saturday Night.
The conversation between Billy Crystal and Conan O’Brien revealed the rich history and entertaining moments from Crystal’s time hosting the Oscars. It served as a reminder of the changing landscape of entertainment and the unique experiences that come with being an Oscars host.
