Conan O'Brien prepares backflips ahead of Rose Byrne’s Oscar bid

Academy Awards host Conan O'Brien revealed he’s been “practicing backflips” in case his If I Had Legs I’d Kick You co-star Rose Byrne triumphs in the Best Actress category at this year’s Oscars.

The 62-year-old talk show host, returning to helm the 2026 Academy Awards, admitted he won’t be maintaining a neutral stance if Byrne takes home the coveted trophy. 

Speaking to The New York Times, O’Brien said: “Forget it. Not happening. I have been practicing backflips and, with the help of my surgical team, I am ready to go should the occasion arise.”

Byrne, 46, won the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy last month but recalled feeling “totally out of [her] depth and inarticulate” on stage, forgetting to thank several people—including O’Brien himself.

“I was texting so many people later, saying, ‘I’m sorry, I forgot to say thank you to this person and that person,’” Byrne told People.

“And Conan was like, ‘Shut up, it was great. No one wants to hear someone bang on for hours.’ He’s become an unofficial life coach. He’s lovely.”

Byrne’s Globe speech also gained attention for a quirky anecdote about partner Bobby Cannavale, who she said wasn’t present because he was attending a “reptile expo in New Jersey” to source a bearded dragon for their children, Rocco, 10, and Rafa, 8.

“Never in my life will I announce something like that on a major awards show again,” Byrne admitted.

“Everyone was thinking it’s for Bobby. It’s not! It’s for our children. The children.”

Cannavale is set to attend the Oscars for the first time next month. Byrne reflected on the experience with excitement:

“Yeah, he can't wait. He's never been. I went once before because I presented with the cast of Bridesmaids in 2012.”

Competing for the Best Actress Oscar, Byrne faces off against Jessie Buckley, Hamnet, Emma Stone, Bugonia, Kate Hudson, Song Sung Blue, and Renate Reinsve's Sentimental Value.