Conan O'Brien has unveiled a new hairstyle, leaving fans surprised and sparking discussion online. The 63-year-old television personality, who is set to host the Academy Awards for a third time, showcased a significantly different look on a recent episode of his podcast, "Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend." Instead of his characteristic voluminous pompadour, O'Brien appeared with his hair slicked back.

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O'Brien has maintained his fiery red pompadour for more than 30 years, a look that dates back to his time hosting "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" on NBC, which premiered in September 1993. The unexpected change garnered a strong reaction from fans on his Team Coco Instagram account, with some expressing disappointment that the hairstyle shift was not directly addressed during the podcast episode featuring guest Molly Shannon.

IMAGE4 Conan O'Brien shocked fans as he ditched his signature pompadour hairstyle

Fans commented on the noticeable difference, with one user writing, "Im was so very disappointed that not one person in that room mentioned Conan’s hair on the podcast." Another remarked on the significance of the hairstyle, stating, "His pompadour!! he can't see without his pompadour!!!" while a different fan speculated about the styling process, asking if his hair had returned to its usual volume later in the interview.

IMAGE5 He chatted up Saturday Night Legend Molly Shannon, but it was his much different appearance which had fans talking

This appearance comes as Disney confirmed in May that O'Brien will return to host the Academy Awards for a third consecutive year. The decision follows a significant decline in viewership for recent ceremonies. The 2026 Oscars ceremony, which featured stars like Timothée Chalamet and Leonardo DiCaprio, drew 17.86 million viewers, marking a 9% drop from the previous year and reaching the lowest viewership numbers since 2022.

Despite the ratings dip, Disney Television Group President Craig Erwich expressed confidence in O'Brien's hosting abilities. "Conan has created remarkable energy around the Oscars," Erwich stated, according to The Hollywood Reporter. "His singular comedic voice makes Hollywood's biggest night one of the most entertaining celebrations of the year."

IMAGE2 In May, Disney revealed that O'Brien will take on hosting duties at the Oscars for a third year in a row following a major decline in viewership; seen in March in Hollywood

Producers Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan are also returning for their fourth year to produce the upcoming ceremony, scheduled for March 14, 2027. They described their reunion with O'Brien as "really special," highlighting his "signature humor" and "real warmth and generosity."

O'Brien's first time hosting the Academy Awards was in 2025. He reflected on the experience, telling ABC News at the time that it was a "15 on a scale of 1 to 10."

IMAGE7 However, ABC raked in just 17.86 million viewers which was a 9% decline from 2025 and the lowest Oscars viewership since 2022

The Academy Awards ceremony is slated to move from ABC to YouTube for livestreaming in 2029, a move intended to expand global access to the event. The annual broadcast will continue to air on ABC until its contract concludes. The shift to YouTube will also coincide with a venue change, moving from the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood to the Peacock Theater in Downtown Los Angeles.