When you arrive at your seat at the Oscars, underneath you’ll find a care package with a note from host Conan O’Brien. Inside: a small bag of popcorn, a bottle of water and some candy (Mike and Ikes for some, Junior Mints for others). “I hope you enjoy this Conan O’Brien ‘Moderately Happy Meal.’ These snacks may not look like much, but in any movie theater they would cost $85. Good luck, tonight, have fun, and remember that loud, enthusiastic laughter is good for your health and my ego.”
The biggest night in movies was broadcast around the world, but there are certain things (like Conan-approved Junior Mints) you only get in the room…
No Golden Hour
A year ago, Adrien Brody gave a lengthy speech in which he actually said, “Please turn the music off.” The music was particularly brutal this year, and that didn’t sit well with the crowd, who audibly booed when the KPop Demon Hunters writers of best original song “Golden” got cut off.
Downey Being Downey
Robert Downey Jr. — hard-launching his Doctor Doom green period — couldn’t help but ham it up to the crowd when the lights went down and the nominations video played.
Michael Supreme
You’ve watched an NFL game on TV, and sure, you get a sense when the crowd goes crazy. But it’s not the same as being in the stadium yourself. That’s how it felt inside the Dolby when Michael B. Jordan’s name was read. No one in the room got more love that night, and it felt like one of the times everyone was united. As the show ended and went off the air, the love continued, with Jordan being embraced by well-wishers including Leonardo DiCaprio, Benicio Del Toro, Paul Mescal, Gracie Abrams and Jacob Elordi.
Michael B. Jordan shares an emotional moment with Leonardo DiCaprio and Benicio del Toro after his Best Actor Oscar win at the 98th Academy Awards.pic.twitter.com/w9n7vxMWVs
— The Art Of Dialogue (@ArtOfDialogue_) March 16, 2026
Take a Break
Every commercial break, you can dash out to grab a drink or use the restroom — but have to be back in your seat before the doors get barred by security until the next break. After his loss for best actor, Stellan Skarsgard posted up in the lobby and embraced fellow best actor nominee Elordi. Meanwhile, Emma Stone posted up at the bar, chatting with her Bugonia producer Ari Aster, while Hamnet star Mescal chatted with Shaboozey.
“I Don’t Tolerate Disrespect”
During what should have been a high point, One Battle After Another best supporting actress nominee Teyana Taylor was stopped by a security guard after she left the stage during its best picture celebration and attempted to return for a group photo. “You’re a man putting your hands on a female,” she told the man in a viral video, and “he literally shoved me.” She later told TMZ all was well. “Everybody was having a good time; security was just doing a lot,” she said. “There’s always that one, but I’m perfectly fine. I’m happy. I mean, there’s nothing to wonder. The first thing people do is definitely make assumptions. But at the end of the day, I just don’t tolerate disrespect, especially when it’s unwarranted and unprovoked.”
The Academy backed Taylor, stating it had informed its outside security firm this was “unacceptable.”
Coffee to Go
As the show ends and you leave your seat, you’re greeted by a phalanx of waiters carrying trays of champagne. You can grab one as you walk through the lobby (but finish it before you leave the theater itself — no drinks allowed). As you await your car, you’re stationed in a tent with bright florescent lights as well as a team of baristas preparing drinks. They really want you to be awake for your ride home.