Oscars joke writer Skyler Higley defended the Kendrick Lamar and Drake joke he wrote for the 97th Academy Awards monologue. He explained the joke was in reference to the cultural moment and that O'Brien was not taking sides in the rappers' feud.

The writer behind host Conan O'Brien's joke about Kendrick Lamar and Drake at the 2025 Oscars knew the line would elicit big laughs from the audience. During last night's telecast from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles,

Conan O’Brien was funny, witty, heartfelt, and sincere. He’ll go down as delivering one of the best Oscar opening monologues in history. Oh my god please let Conan O’Brien host every Oscars ceremony from now on