Comedian Nikki Glaser returned to host the Golden Globe Awards on Sunday, delivering a monologue that blended sharp satire with playful ribbing, setting the tone for Hollywood's first major awards ceremony of 2026.
Opening with a Biting Edge
Glaser, hosting the ceremony for a second consecutive year after strong reviews in 2025, did not waste time. She opened with a provocative suggestion about the high-profile audience, hinting at the controversial Epstein client list. "There are so many A-listers, and by A-listers, I do mean people who are on a list that has been heavily redacted," she quipped, awarding a mock Golden Globe for best editing to the US Justice Department.
Her sights then turned to broadcaster CBS, which was airing the event. She mocked CBS News over its recent editorial controversies, including the killing of a critical '60 Minutes' report. "The award for most editing goes to CBS News," Glaser stated. "Yes, CBS News: America’s newest place to see BS news." Notably, jokes she had considered about Venezuela and ICE were omitted from the final delivery.
Navigating Praise and Punchlines
Glaser demonstrated a deft touch when handling beloved figures. She told The Associated Press beforehand that crafting a joke about the respected Julia Roberts proved difficult, as test audiences rejected every attempt. On stage, she found an oblique angle, saying, "Just like the podcasters nominated tonight, I should not be allowed to be this close to Julia Roberts," which earned a substantial laugh.
Conversely, she leaned into a well-worn but reliable topic: Leonardo DiCaprio's dating history. "You’ve worked with every great director. You’ve won three Golden Globes and an Oscar," she said to DiCaprio. "And the most impressive thing is that you were able to accomplish all of that before your girlfriend turned 30." She then meta-apologised for the obvious joke, complaining that the actor gives comedians little else to work with, a bit that drew an even bigger laugh, particularly from DiCaprio himself.
A Rapid-Fire Assault on Hollywood
The monologue maintained a brisk pace, hitting multiple targets. She teased Sean Penn's ageing appearance, asking "what if I slowly morph into a sexy leather handbag?" She highlighted Timothée Chalamet's lean physique for his role in 'Marty Supreme', calling him "the first actor in history to have to put on muscle for a movie about ping pong." With economic phrasing, she renamed the sequel 'Wicked: For Good' as 'Wicked: For Money'.
Glaser concluded with a sweeping series of directives to various filmmakers, urging them to continue their distinctive work. The bit included a call for Emma Stone to "play a piece of toast with epilepsy" and a joke about actors Paul Mescal and Jacob Elordi being indistinguishable to her mother. The monologue solidified Glaser's reputation as a host who can charm and challenge the room in equal measure, ensuring her likely return for a third stint.
