Overview
- O’Brien told Jimmy Kimmel Live that he and his writers attempted roughly 5,000 Train Dreams jokes without finding one that landed.
- He read a discarded gag on air, dismissed the tepid reaction as “pity applause,” and said the bit won’t appear during Sunday’s ceremony.
- The host has been road‑testing material at Los Angeles comedy clubs and is still refining other jokes ahead of the March 15 ABC telecast.
- He cited low audience familiarity with the Netflix‑streaming Best Picture nominee and its serious subject as key reasons the jokes failed.
- In separate comments, he described an emotional visit to his great‑grandfather’s former home in Ireland, offering a personal note to his pre‑show press.