We break down Conan O'Brien's hosting the Academy Awards and what was Demi Moore's new movie about?

14/03/2025 1 min

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Episode Synopsis

The 2025 Academy Awards began with the usual mix of humor, surprise, and flair, with Conan O’Brien delivering his signature opening monologue. Conan’s humor has always been both clever and unpredictable, but this time, something threw me off. In the midst of his comedy, Conan kept referencing a new film by Demi Moore titled The Substance. His jokes were laced with hints at a deeper cultural commentary, but they left me scratching my head. What was this movie really about? Was it a documentary? An experimental drama? Was it a personal reflection of Moore’s life or a broader social critique? The references Conan made to The Substance intrigued me, but I couldn’t quite grasp the full meaning. I found myself pondering whether it was about Moore’s own experiences with fame and struggles or if it was a more abstract exploration of identity in Hollywood. Was it personal, societal, or something else entirely? And why did Conan feel the need to mention it repeatedly during the opening of such a major event? It was clear that I needed answers. So, I turned to Robert McCune, a respected film critic with an acute ability to analyze and break down complex cinematic narratives. Robert’s expertise in Hollywood and cultural commentary made him the perfect person to help me better understand The Substance—the film that had piqued my curiosity. What was this film really about, and why was it getting so much attention? The Confusion: Conan O’Brien’s Opening Monologue As Conan O’Brien opened the 2025 Oscars, his usual comedic brilliance was on full display. His monologue was full of jokes, one-liners, and observations about the film industry. However, the repeated mentions of The Substance stood out, and they left many in the audience—including me—wondering what exactly he was referring to. Was The Substance a deep dive into Hollywood’s dark side? Was it about Moore’s personal battles with fame and addiction? Or was it making some larger social statement? I couldn’t quite figure it out, and it left me both intrigued and confused. The cryptic remarks about the movie had me questioning its true nature. Was it a simple celebrity biography or something more complex? It was clear that the film had layers, but I couldn’t put all the pieces together until I spoke with Robert McCune.

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