I’ll be frank, I’m not the most important fan of the Oscars, which is a bizarre factor to say contemplating I write about motion pictures and TV exhibits for a residing. I simply don’t get a lot out of watching the ceremony itself, and I’d moderately study who gained every class after the very fact and perhaps play a number of the acceptance speeches. However with Conan O’Brien internet hosting the 97th Academy Awards, I now really feel way more inclined to observe, as he’s one in all my favourite comedic abilities. At the moment marks precisely 4 weeks till this big day on the 2025 TV schedule, and it simply occurred to me that there’s an extended operating gag from O’Brien’s discuss present years that I hope is integrated into the present.
The world is aware of Paul Rudd as a gifted actor from motion pictures like Clueless, Anchorman, The 40-12 months-Outdated Virgin and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, in addition to TV exhibits like Parks & Recreation, The Shrink Subsequent Door and Solely Murders within the Constructing, to not point out the truth that he nonetheless appears ageless in his mid-50s (which he attributes to sleep, weight, weight loss plan, weights and cardio). However longtime followers of Conan O’Brien are additionally properly aware of Rudd’s penchant for displaying the identical clip from 1988’s Mac and Me when chatting with the multi-hyphenate.
What Is The Mac And Me Gag?
Right here’s what occurs: Paul Rudd units up a clip from some challenge he’s selling, nevertheless it’s truly only a scene from the critically-dreaded ET ripoff when a boy named Eric loses management of his wheelchair, rolls down the aspect of a cliff and falls into the lake under, with MAC trying shocked about this on the finish. Rudd has been doing this since 2004, when he was taking part in Mike Hannigan in Associates, as seen under:
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Rudd would get away that clip when he was showing on NBC’s Late Evening with Conan O’Brien and TBS’ Conan, and generally he’d even tweak it in amusing methods, like when he spliced Ant-Man footage into it in 2015. He even performed the clip when showing on the Conan O’Brien Wants a Buddy podcast, which was hilarious since, as O’Brien identified, it’s “a visible joke.” I’ve to share that one, too:
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I can’t get sufficient of the Mac and Me gag in spite of everything these years, and I do know I’m not alone. And it’s not simply using the clip itself that’s humorous, it’s how a lot Rudd has dedicated to this and performs it as straight as attainable each earlier than presenting the clip and even afterwards. It’s so lovely in its simplicity.
How I Need The Mac And Me Gag Integrated Into The Oscars
I don’t know why this didn’t happen to me when Conan O’Brien was introduced to be internet hosting this 12 months’s Oscars, however for no matter motive the Mac and Me gag popped up in my head not too long ago, and it didn’t take lengthy for me to attract a line from Level A to Level B. So sure, I completely need that clip integrated into the ceremony. Right here’s the factor, although: Conan can’t learn about it.
Right here’s what I envision taking place: Paul Rudd is introduced on the stage to arrange a clip, maybe for one of many Finest Image nominees, like The Brutalist or The Substance. Or perhaps he can do that whereas presenting one of many classes, both on his personal or with an onstage associate. In rehearsal, every thing goes because it’s alleged to, however when O’Brien’s not round, the crew placing the Oscars collectively secretly prepare for the Mac and Me clip to be proven. You recognize Rudd would completely be recreation for this, and that’s assuming he hasn’t already contacted folks about making this occur. And the considered a digital camera pointed at Conan’s face as he realizes what’s taking place is priceless.
The 97th Academy Awards air Sunday, March 2, so whether or not I watch it reside, be it on ABC or with my Hulu subscription, or watch parts of it afterwards, I’m hoping Paul Rudd will get to deliver his Mac and Me shenanigans to the upcoming awards present. This is able to be the most important platform but to point out the gag, and thus method too good of a chance to cross up.