17.03.2026 09:20
World-renowned comedian Conan O’Brien, who hosted the Oscars, made a controversial joke that highlighted the lack of British nominees by referencing Jeffrey Epstein. Conan O'Brien stated, "For the first time since 2012, no British actor or actress has been nominated. The spokesperson for England said, 'Yes, but at least we are arresting our pedophiles.' They have a point."
This year, a striking statistic emerged at the Oscar, one of the most prestigious awards in the film world. For the first time in 14 years, no names from the United Kingdom made it to the nominee list in the "Best Actor" and "Best Actress" categories, where at least one British actor has been present at every ceremony since 2012. This situation caught the attention of both industry representatives and the international press.
HARSH AND CONTROVERSIAL JOKE FROM CONAN O’BRIEN
The host of the ceremony, Conan O’Brien, drew attention to this statistic on stage. The famous comedian, in a joke made through a fictional British spokesperson, said, "At least we are arresting our own pedophiles." O’Brien's words created a momentary shock in the hall and became one of the most talked-about moments of the night.
The famous comedian stated: "For the first time since 2012, no English actor or actress has been nominated for the best actor and best actress awards. The spokesperson for England said, 'Yes, but at least we are detaining our pedophiles.' They are right about this."
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INDIRECT REFERENCE TO THE EPSTEIN SCANDAL
The expressions used by O’Brien were considered a direct reference to the long-discussed Jeffrey Epstein scandal in the U.S. The judicial process and protection claims involving some powerful names mentioned in the Epstein case have continued to be a topic of public debate for years. The comedian's attention to this point transformed the Oscar stage from merely an awards ceremony into a platform for social criticism.
SHOCK IN THE HALL, REACTION ON SOCIAL MEDIA
O’Brien's words received mixed reactions in the hall. While some guests applauded the joke, others regarded this outburst as a harsh and boundary-pushing comment. On social media, the statements quickly resonated widely, dividing users. One group found the remarks bold, while the other criticized the inclusion of such references on the Oscar stage.