Hosting the prestigious Academy Awards is often viewed as a remarkable opportunity, but it’s not a role that suits everyone. In 2024, the Academy reached out to comedian John Mulaney—known for his work on Big Mouth, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, and Chip’ n Dale: Rescue Rangers—to take on the responsibility of hosting the annual Oscars celebration that honors the best in Hollywood. Despite the allure of the role, Mulaney graciously declined the offer and has since shared the reasons behind his decision.

During a candid conversation with fellow comedian Marc Maron on the popular WTF podcast, Mulaney explained his choice to turn down the hosting opportunity for the 2024 Academy Awards. He expressed his gratitude, stating, “Well, I was very flattered. They came to me, must have been last summer. And I knew Jimmy Kimmel wasn’t gonna do it. And they offered it,” illustrating how honored he was to be considered. However, he added, “And it was honestly that I had a lot going on. And it’s months and months of work.” His response highlights the significant amount of effort and time that comes with hosting such a high-profile event.

Ultimately, the role of host for the 97th Academy Awards was filled by Conan O’Brien. Mulaney praised the experienced podcaster, late-night host, and comedian for his outstanding performance, saying, “He came out and he not only was so funny, but he elevated the show to the point that I almost convinced myself I had seen these movies and I’d seen not a one of them,” adding humor to his admiration. Maron agreed, commenting that O’Brien “just locked in and owned the fucking thing.” Their exchange underscores the immense pressure and skill required to host such a celebrated event successfully.

Shifting gears, Mulaney discussed his latest venture, the Netflix talk show titled Everybody’s Live with John Mulaney. While he appears to enjoy the creative outlet, he expressed some reservations about the show’s rigorous filming schedule. He mentioned, “There was a plan to do more,” revealing aspirations for future episodes. He remarked, “We’re figuring it out. It’s been very enjoyable.” Despite his enjoyment, Mulaney candidly acknowledged the toll of the demanding filming schedule, saying he “really felt the 12 weeks in a row” of production.

Reflecting on the creative process for the Netflix talk show, Mulaney shared, “It was more than just that we got to try a lot of bits and jokes and have guests on,” emphasizing the diverse experiences involved in producing the show. He elaborated, “We just got to try whole episodes where it felt very shoestring and episodes where we were blowing it out production-wise.” This statement reflects the dynamic and varied nature of the content he was able to create.

Do you think the Academy should consider John Mulaney for future hosting duties at the Oscars? Was Conan O’Brien the perfect alternative in Mulaney’s absence? Would you tune in for another season of Mulaney’s talk show? We invite you to share your thoughts in the comments section below.