Get ready to laugh, because Nikki Glaser just schooled us all on how to roast with style and still keep the room in stitches. But here’s where it gets controversial: can a comedian truly connect with A-listers while simultaneously poking fun at their fame? Glaser’s Golden Globes hosting gig proves it’s possible—and hilarious. Strutting onto the stage to Taylor Swift’s ‘Style,’ she immediately set the tone by acknowledging the star-studded audience, quipping, ‘I cannot believe the amount of star power we have in this room tonight.’ It’s a move she’s mastered, positioning herself as the underdog among giants like Julia Roberts and George Clooney, all while reminding everyone she’s not quite in their league. ‘There’s so many A-listers,’ she added with a wink, ‘and by A-listers, I mean people on a heavily redacted list.’
Starting with a bold Epstein joke might’ve been risky, but Glaser swiftly pivoted to roast CBS, calling it ‘America’s newest place to see bs news.’ And this is the part most people miss: she’s not just throwing punches; she’s disarming her targets with self-awareness and charm. After years of dominating Comedy Central roasts, she knows how to land a joke without burning bridges. Take her exchange with George Clooney about her Nespresso or her playful jab at The Rock for not being nominated for The Paper. Sure, it’s a rock, paper, scissors joke, but it’s also genius in its simplicity—uniting the room in laughter.
Then came Leonardo DiCaprio, a rare Golden Globes attendee, and Glaser didn’t hold back. She went for the classic punchline about his dating history, but here’s the twist: she owned the cheap shot. ‘Leo, I’m sorry I made that joke. It’s cheap. I tried not to, but like, we don’t know anything else about you, man,’ she admitted, and surprisingly, it got him laughing for real. Is it ever okay to lean on overdone jokes? Glaser seems to think so—if you’re honest about it. She then shifted gears, blending clever wordplay (Hamnet as the ‘original name for Spanx’) with cheeky innuendos, proving she’s a master of timing and tone.
What truly sets Glaser apart is her ability to roast while radiating genuine admiration. She gushed to Noah Wyle about being her ‘only doctor’ for 35 years and playfully told Paul Mescal and Jacob Elordi to ‘keep being the same person’ to her mom. By the time Amanda Seyfried and Jennifer Garner took the stage, the room was buzzing—light, loose, and maybe a little tipsy. But here’s the question: does Glaser’s approach make her a comedic genius, or is she just playing it safe? Let us know in the comments—and while you’re at it, tell us: who do you think she should roast next?
