PARK CITY, Utah (AP) — Conan O’Brien, the host of this year’s Oscars, has conveyed that he remains unable to return to his residence due to the catastrophic wildfires that swept through Los Angeles. He emphasized that the show’s organizers are committed to being mindful of the hardships faced by the local community.
“Everyone I know has been touched by these events,” O’Brien remarked in an interview with The Associated Press on Friday. “Currently, I am displaced from my home. Thankfully, while the flames drew perilously close, my house endured. However, it will be a considerable time before I can return. I count myself fortunate; I am acutely aware of many who have tragically lost everything. It is essential that the show embodies the current climate and highlights the right individuals appropriately.”
Devastating wildfires ravaged the Pacific Palisades and Altadena neighborhoods this month, leaving thousands of residents without homes. Many whose properties survived are still unable to return due to lingering smoke damage or other hazardous conditions.
Selected to host the 97th Academy Awards, scheduled for March 2 in Los Angeles, O’Brien noted the fires had necessitated two delays in the announcement of the Academy’s nominations, which were finally revealed on Thursday, with “Emilia Pérez” leading the nominations.
The tumultuous events have disrupted Hollywood’s awards season, transforming it into a campaign for recovery. While some have suggested the Oscars ought to be canceled, organizers maintain their intention to reconfigure the event to “unite us as a global film community and honor those who valiantly battled the wildfires.”
“We desire to be attuned to the current moment and the realities that have unfolded,” O’Brien stated on Friday. “This weighs heavily on our minds, and we are engaging in extensive discussions about it.”
With just five weeks until the Oscars, he underscored the necessity of processing these experiences in order to deliver the most impactful show possible on March 2, stating, “We not only aim for a great show, but one that resonates with the collective sentiment of that day.” O’Brien shared his thoughts at the premiere of his latest film, “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You,” alongside co-star Rose Byrne.
Vocabulary List:
- Catastrophic /ˌkæt.əˈstrɒf.ɪk/ (adjective): Involving or causing sudden great damage or suffering.
- Displaced /dɪsˈpleɪst/ (adjective): Forced to leave one’s home or normal place of residence.
- Devastating /ˈdɛv.ə.steɪ.tɪŋ/ (adjective): Causing severe and overwhelming shock or grief.
- Hazardous /ˈhæz.ər.dəs/ (adjective): Risky; involving danger or harm.
- Unite /juːˈnaɪt/ (verb): To come together for a common purpose or action.
- Resonate /ˈrɛzəneɪt/ (verb): To evoke or suggest images or emotions.
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