The 97th Academy Awards paid tribute to local heroes on Sunday evening, bringing out firefighters from the Palisades and Eaton fires for a spotlight moment of their own on Hollywood’s biggest night.
Host Conan O’Brien welcomed 12 fire service members onto the Oscars stage in between awards, and invited three of them to have a turn at delivering some punchy one-liners in front of the star-studded audience.
After a nearly minute-long standing ovation, O’Brien began the tribute by thanking the crewmembers “on behalf of everyone in greater Los Angeles,” for their bravery and service in the January fires.
“I know you’re gonna find this hard to believe, but there are some jokes even I’m not brave enough to tell,” said the late night talk show host before turning to the firefighters. “So, on behalf of myself, would you please read what’s on the prompter.”
Then, before passing the spotlight to his guests, O’Brien turned to his audience one more time – making sure to instruct them to be on their best behavior.
“Remember,” O’Brien lectured as he pointed to the crowd of celebrities, “Everyone in this audience has to laugh – these are heroes!”
O’Brien then introduced L.A. Fire Department captain Erik Scott to read the first joke.
“Well our hearts go out to all of those who have lost their homes,” said Scott. “And I’m talking about the producers of Joker 2.”
The cameras panned to show the audience laughing, some gasping, as O’Brien complimented Scott, saying, “Best delivery of the night!”
Next, LAFD helicopter pilot Jonith Johnson Jr. had his moment to dish out a dig on center stage.
“To play Bob Dylan, Timothée Chalamet learned how to sing,” Johnson started. “In fact, his singing was so good he almost lost the part.”
Earning a laugh from the Best Actor nominee himself, O’Brien passed the mic to his third and final guest joke-reader, Pasadena Fire Captain Jodi Slicker.
“It’s great to be back with Conan,” Slicker smirked. “Usually when he calls, he’s stuck in a tree.”
“It’s happened twice!” countered O’Brien, leaving the audience laughing and applauding as he bowed and thanked the firefighters before carrying on with the awards.
