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Conan O’Brien May Drop ‘Train Dreams’ Bit After Thousands of Failed Tries

On Jimmy Kimmel’s show, he cited a solemn tone plus low recognition as reasons the jokes fall flat.

Overview

  • Hosting the 98th Academy Awards this Sunday, O’Brien said his writers still haven’t cracked a workable joke about Best Picture nominee Train Dreams.
  • He told Kimmel the team has produced roughly 5,000 attempts without success and said he might move on from targeting the film in his monologue.
  • O’Brien read one discarded line to the studio audience, then waved off the ensuing reaction as pity applause.
  • Polling Kimmel’s crowd suggested few had seen Train Dreams, which TheWrap notes is currently streaming on Netflix.
  • He said he has been testing Oscars material at local stand-up shows in Los Angeles, with final decisions on monologue targets still unconfirmed.