The 98th Academy Awards ceremony, also known as the Oscars, is underway in Los Angeles, with various nominees vying for prestigious awards in the film industry. Hosted by Conan O'Brien, the ceremony began with a comedic clip featuring O'Brien as Aunt Gladys from the film 'Arms', which humorously referenced several nominated films from the evening. O'Brien, in his opening remarks, made light of previous Oscar ceremonies, noting that while last year witnessed significant wildfires in Los Angeles, this year's event is proceeding without incident. He also hinted at the potential for political discourse during the evening, providing a humorous distraction from the usual proceedings by mentioning an alternative gala hosted by Kid Rock for those who prefer a different atmosphere.