It only took a few seconds on stage for a joke at the Oscars to turn into a full-blown celebrity reaction online. Conan O’Brien made fun of Kid Rock – and the artist had a brutal response.

During this year’s Academy Awards, host Conan O’Brien delivered many jokes. However, one might have caught many viewers off guard and one person in particular wasn’t amused. That person was Kid Rock.

When opening the show, O’Brien poked fun at the idea of an “alternate” awards show, joking that anyone uncomfortable with the night’s tone could head down the street to watch another ceremony supposedly hosted by Kid Rock.

Conan said, “Tonight could get political, and if that makes you uncomfortable, there’s an alternate Oscars being hosted by Kid Rock. It’s at the Dave & Buster’s down the street.”

The line was a reference to the musician’s involvement in an alternative halftime-style event earlier this year, which had been promoted as a more patriotic response to the official Super Bowl entertainment. The audience laughed — but the joke didn’t land the same way with the singer himself.

Kid Rock responds to Conan’s Oscars joke
Not long after the broadcast, Kid Rock shared his thoughts online, making it clear he didn’t think the punchline deserved the reaction it got.

On X, the singer said: “I love a good joke, even when I am the butt of it, unfortunately this was not a very good one.”

He wrote that he can usually appreciate humor, even when he’s the one being teased, but added that this particular joke just didn’t work for him. Despite the criticism, the rocker didn’t let the moment go to waste.

Kid Rock decided to use the attention to promote his upcoming tour celebrating America’s 250th anniversary, turning the viral moment into publicity for his shows.

“Either way, if you want to see a REAL good show this spring / summer that celebrates America and 250 years of Freedom – make sure you buy your tickets from (ugh) Ticketmaster for my Freedom 250 tour – The Road To Nashville. There is a reason for this, TRUST ME!”

O’Brien’s monologue included several jokes aimed at celebrities. Still, it was the joke about Kid Rock that drew one of the biggest reactions after the ceremony.

What do you think of this? Please share your thoughts in the comment section.