Recommended Free Tools
The Oscars crowd audibly reacted to Conan O’Brien’s joke about Americans “finally” seeing someone stand up to a powerful Russian, with reports describing gasps, laughter, cheers and applause. The accounts differ on the precise sound; none establishes that everyone in the room reacted the same way.
What Conan O’Brien said
At the 97th Academy Awards on March 2, 2025, host Conan O’Brien introduced the joke by noting that Anora was having a good night. CNN’s transcript records his punchline: “I guess Americans are excited to see somebody finally stand up to a powerful Russian.” CNN’s transcript and recap preserve the wording; TheWrap says the film had already won two awards when O’Brien made the remark. TheWrap’s account of the moment gives that awards context.
![Russian Alphabet Made Easy: An All-In-One Workbook To Learn How To Read And Write The Russian Script [Audio Included]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51kB5NT22YS._SL160_.jpg)
How the audience reacted
Contemporaneous coverage describes a noticeable but varied response. TheWrap reports audible gasps followed by a wave of applause; the Los Angeles Times says the joke “elicited cheers”; and The Independent describes laughter and applause. The Los Angeles Times review and The Independent’s report offer different descriptions of the response. These reports do not count how many people reacted or show that the reaction was unanimous.
Why the joke referred to Anora
Anora, Sean Baker’s film, follows a Brooklyn sex worker who marries the son of a Russian oligarch and then faces opposition from his family. That storyline supplies the direct reference in O’Brien’s line about standing up to a powerful Russian: the joke connected the film’s conflict with its oligarch family to a broader political phrase.
#1 Best Overall
The political allusion in context
TheWrap connected the joke to the recent contentious meeting between President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, after which Zelensky’s White House visit was cut short. That is the outlet’s interpretation of the topical allusion, not independently established evidence of O’Brien’s stated intent. The film reference and the political reading are related, but they are not the same claim.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Not the opening “sit down” exchange
Some coverage of the ceremony also mentions O’Brien asking audience members to sit down, but the Associated Press places that exchange at the opening of his monologue. It is separate from the later Anora punchline. The Associated Press report covers the opening context; it does not establish that the audience stood for the Russian joke. None of the cited accounts describes a standing ovation for that line.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
