At the 97th Academy Awards on March 2, 2025, host Conan O’Brien introduced a humorous mechanism to keep acceptance speeches within their time limits. He warned winners that if their speeches ran too long, the broadcast would cut to actor John Lithgow displaying a “slightly disappointed” expression. This playful tactic became a recurring joke throughout the evening, with the camera frequently showing Lithgow’s feigned disapproval, much to the audience’s amusement.
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The “slightly disappointed John Lithgow” moments quickly gained traction on social media, evolving into one of the night’s most popular memes. Viewers shared numerous jokes and images, highlighting the lighthearted nature of the ceremony and Lithgow’s good-natured participation.
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This inventive approach by O’Brien added a unique and entertaining element to the Oscars, ensuring the show remained engaging while effectively managing the program’s pacing.
