Nikki Glaser Shares the One Golden Globes Joke She Can’t Tell
As Nikki Glaser gears up to host the 2026 Golden Globes, she reveals the surprising Hollywood star she’s learned not to joke about—after audiences made their feelings clear.
Nikki Glaser is set to return as the host of the Golden Globes this weekend, but there’s one Hollywood icon she’s learned to steer clear of in her comedy. After making history last year as the first woman to host the show solo, Glaser is back for another round, and she’s been hard at work perfecting her monologue. But as she’s been testing out her material in Los Angeles comedy clubs, she’s discovered that some jokes just don’t land—especially when it comes to Julia Roberts.
Testing the Limits of Comedy
During a recent appearance on CBS Mornings, Glaser opened up about her writing process. She explained that she’s been trying out her jokes in front of live audiences, and one thing has become crystal clear: any mention of Julia Roberts is off-limits.
“I’m trying out my monologue around LA at the clubs here and just even any joke about Julia Roberts, they are not there for.”
Glaser went on to say,
“You cannot make fun of America’s sweetheart.”
She admitted that any joke about Roberts has to be carefully crafted, calling it the most delicate part of her set.
Audience Reaction: No Laughing Matter
Glaser described the crowd’s response to her Roberts material as nothing short of intense. She said audiences have actually booed her attempts at poking fun at the beloved actress, which she found shocking. In another interview, she compared the reaction to making jokes about JonBenét Ramsey, saying,
“She is the most sacred of cows in America. I assumed that we want to protect her at all costs, but it’s as if I was joking about JonBenét [Ramsey]. [Audiences] were like, ‘This is not funny. We’re not going to laugh about it.’”
Spotlight on the Nominees
This year, Roberts is up for ‘Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama ’ for her role in After The Hunt. She’s competing against Jessie Buckley, who starred in Hamnet, and Renate Reinsve from Sentimental Value. The film One Battle After Another is leading the nominations with nine nods, including ‘Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy’ and ‘Best Leading Performance by a Male Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy’ for Leonardo DiCaprio.
The 2026 Golden Globes ceremony will take place in Los Angeles on January 11, promising another night of big stars, high stakes, and, for Nikki Glaser, a monologue that’s been fine-tuned to avoid the one joke that’s sure to fall flat.