Oscars host Conan O’Brien shocked viewers and the star-studded crowd on Sunday night with an on-the-nose joke about pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
The host used his opening monologue to reference the fact that no British actors had been nominated in major categories.
O’Brien said: ‘It’s the first time since 2012 that there are no British actors nominated for Best Actor or Best Actress.
‘British spokesperson said “yeah, well at least we arrest our pedophiles”, so they got that.’
The crowd inside the Dolby Theatre reacted nervously with muted laughs and sheepish ‘oos’. Viewers at home were shocked by O’Brien’s directness.
Aside from Ghislaine Maxwell, who was jailed for 20 years for her role in luring underage girls for her former boyfriend Epstein, there have been no US arrests relating to the financier or the names released in the files relating to him.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, a close friend of Epstein, was arrested last month by police in the United Kingdom on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
The suspicions were in relation to allegations that he passed sensitive information to the pedophile while acting as a trade envoy for the British government.
The comedian made the remark while delivering his opening monologue on Sunday night at the star studded event
Aside from Ghislaine Maxwell , who was jailed for 20 years for her role in luring underage girls for her former boyfriend Epstein, there have been no US arrests relating to the financier
After serving for 22 years in the Royal Navy, Andrew became the UK’s special representative for international trade and investment in 2001.
He stepped down in 2011 amid the fury over his friendship with Epstein.
Emails released by the Department of Justice appeared to show the former duke sharing reports of official visits to Hong Kong, Vietnam and Singapore.
One email, dated November 2010, appeared to be forwarded by Andrew five minutes after being sent by his then-special adviser Amir Patel.
Another, on Christmas Eve 2010, appeared to send Epstein a confidential brief on investment opportunities in the reconstruction of Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
Andrew was later released under investigation after his arrest. He has always denied any wrongdoing over his relationship with Epstein.
His arrest followed him being officially stripped of his last royal titles by his brother King Charles III at the end of last year.
The former prince was accused by Virginia Giuffre of sexual assault, but Andrew claimed they never met. He paid millions to her to settle a civil sexual assault claim in 2022.
Andrew leaves a police station in the UK in a vehicle on the day he was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office
Andrew is seen here alongside Melania Trump, Gwendolyn Beck and Epstein at a party inside Mar-a-Lago in 2000
After his arrest, King Charles said: ‘I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office.
‘What now follows is the full, fair and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities.
‘In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation. Let me state clearly: the law must take its course.
‘As this process continues, it would not be right for me to comment further on this matter. Meanwhile, my family and I will continue in our duty and service to you all.’