Nikki Glaser returned to host the 83rd Annual Golden Globes on January 11, 2026, for her second consecutive year, delivering an opening monologue that was sharp, self-aware, and packed with savage roasts. The comedian, celebrated for her roast mastery (including her standout performance at the Tom Brady roast), struck a balance between biting humor and affectionate jabs, poking fun at Hollywood stars, current events, and even the network broadcasting the show. Her 11-minute set revived the Globes’ irreverent spirit, earning widespread praise for keeping the audience laughing while navigating edgy territory with precision.
Glaser opened by acknowledging the ceremony’s place in a chaotic world, quipping that the Golden Globes were “without a doubt, the most important thing that’s happening in the world right now.” She playfully compared her return to the sequel of Wicked, setting a tone of confident, fan-loving irreverence.
Topical and Political Bites
One of the monologue’s boldest segments targeted recent headlines involving redactions and media editing. Glaser highlighted the star-studded room, noting, “There’s so many A-listers — and by A-listers, I mean people who are on a list that has been heavily redacted.” She followed with a stinging award presentation: “The Golden Globe for best editing goes to the Justice Department!” This jab referenced the heavily redacted release of Jeffrey Epstein-related files under the current administration.
Not stopping there, she turned the roast inward on the broadcaster itself: “And the award for most editing goes to CBS News. Yes. CBS News: America’s newest place to see B.S. news.” The line, delivered on CBS airwaves, drew huge laughs and applause, with producers later noting the network executives took it in stride.
Celebrity Roasts That Landed Hard
The heart of Glaser’s monologue was her targeted celebrity digs, delivered with a mix of admiration and precision.
Leonardo DiCaprio received the most viral roast of the night. After praising his film One Battle After Another and career achievements—”Countless iconic performances. You’ve worked with every great director, you’ve won three Golden Globes and an Oscar”—Glaser landed the punch: “The most impressive thing is that you were able to accomplish all that before your girlfriend turned 30.”
She immediately softened it with an apology: “Leo, I’m sorry I made that joke. It is cheap. I tried not to, but like, we don’t know anything else about you, man. There’s nothing else.” She added that his most in-depth interview was from Teen Beat magazine in 1991, asking if pasta was still his favorite food (to which DiCaprio reportedly nodded and gave a thumbs-up from his table).
Michael B. Jordan got a playful NSFW twist for his dual role in Sinners: “In Sinners, Michael B. Jordan played two brothers… twins. I can’t believe it, we got two Michael B. Jordans. When I saw that, I was like Nikki B. Jerkin’.”
Other notable jabs included:
- Sean Penn, described as morphing “into a sexy leather handbag” and doing good works (with a cocaine twist) around the world.
- References to George Clooney (asking him to fix her watery Nespresso), Kevin Hart (likened to a low-IQ Steve Martin and Martin Short duo), and more.
- Encouraging young stars like Paul Mescal and Jacob Elordi to “keep being the same person to my mom.”
Glaser also teased the room with lines like keeping certain actors around for their appeal to audiences, while praising filmmakers for continuing to make “weird” and “bizarre” movies.
Overall, Glaser’s performance was hailed as a masterclass in roast comedy—edgy yet inclusive, proving she could command the stage and the room without alienating anyone. The monologue quickly went viral, racking up millions of views online and generating buzz for its fearless delivery. Her ability to roast with love solidified her as one of the best hosts the Golden Globes has seen in recent years.
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