Conan O'Brien sets Hollywood 'threequel' return as 2027 Oscars host

Conan O'Brien is going for the Oscars host three-peat.

O'Brien, 63, will return to host the 99th Oscars, his third consecutive stint behind the awards podium, ABC announced at parent company Walt Disney's Upfront presentation for advertisers on May 12 in New York City. The Academy Awards will air on March 14 on ABC and stream on Hulu (7 p.m. ET/4 PT).

"The trilogy event Hollywood’s been waiting for," ABC posted on Instagram under a "threequel" picture along with the announcement. "Conan O'Brien returns to host the Oscars."

"We look forward to Conan superbly leading the celebration with his brilliance and humor," a joint statement read from Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences CEO Bill Kramer and president Lynette Howell Taylor.

The "Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend" podcast host helmed the Oscars in 2025 and 2026 to universal acclaim in one of the toughest jobs in Hollywood. His first ceremony, the 97th Oscars in March 2025, drew roughly 19.7 million viewers, marking a five-year high for the telecast. He returned for the 98th Oscars in 2026, with ratings dipping about 9% to approximately 17.9 million viewers. The ceremony still ranked as TV's top primetime entertainment broadcast of the season.

Jeff Ross and Mike Sweeney will return as producers for a third time, and Sweeney will also serve as a writer.

Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan will return as the show’s executive producers for the fourth consecutive year. Jeff Ross and Mike Sweeney will return as producers for a third time, and Sweeney will also serve as a writer.

Is Conan O'Brien setting a record as three-time Oscars host?

Not quite. Bob Hope hosted the Oscars 19 times, and Billy Crystal hosted nine times. Jimmy Kimmel has hosted four times: in 2017 and 2018, then returned in 2023 and 2024.

But there's still time.

Grammy Awards set 2027 date

In other award news, ABC set a date for the 2027 Grammys. Music's big awards night will air live from Los Angeles' Crypto.com Arena on Feb. 7 on ABC (and stream on Disney+ and Hulu). It will be the first Grammy ceremony to air on ABC since 1972.

'DWTS' names new contestant for Season 35

In other Disney Upfront news, internet personality and second baseman for the Savannah Bananas, Jackson Olson, joins Season 35 of "Dancing with the Stars" as celebrity contestant and company softball team ringer.

Maura Higgins, star of “The Traitors” and “Love Island,” along with Ciara Miller, star of scandalous "Summer House," were previously announced to compete this season.

The full cast of celebrities and pro dancers will be announced Sept. 2 on "Good Morning America."