Nikki Glaser hosted the 83rd Golden Globes on January 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California. Days later, on January 13, she appeared on The Howard Stern Show and shared that she cut jokes about ICE and Donald Trump from her monologue because she found it tough to hit the right tone on politics.
Background
Glaser, a 41-year-old comedian known for her sharp roasts, took the stage for her second time as Golden Globes host. The event brought together Hollywood stars to honor achievements in film and TV from the past year. She opened with a 10-minute monologue that targeted several celebrities and topics, drawing laughs from the crowd.
This post-show chat with Howard Stern follows a pattern. After her first hosting gig last year, Glaser went on Stern's program to talk about material she left out. This year, she did the same, giving listeners a look at what almost made it to air. The Golden Globes aired live on CBS, reaching millions of viewers.
Glaser has built her career on comedy that pushes boundaries. She has specials on Netflix and HBO, and she regularly performs stand-up across the country. Hosting big awards shows puts her in front of a live audience of A-listers, where timing and crowd reaction matter a lot.
The 83rd ceremony featured wins for films like Wicked: For Good and TV shows such as The Beast in Me. Presenters included Dakota Fanning and Queen Latifah. Glaser also wore a Spinal Tap hat at the end to honor director Rob Reiner, who died recently along with his wife. Their son faces murder charges in that case.
Key Details
During her Stern interview, Glaser explained why politics stayed out of her set. She prepared punchlines about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, known as ICE, and former President Donald Trump. But she decided against them.
“It’s hard to strike the right tone.” – Nikki Glaser on The Howard Stern Show
Glaser said she aimed to keep the night fun and light. Political jokes can split rooms, especially at events with stars from all sides. She focused instead on safer targets like Leonardo DiCaprio's dating habits.
Monologue Highlights
In her opening, Glaser roasted DiCaprio right away. She noted his career wins, then added that he did it all before his girlfriend turned 30. The line got big laughs. She also jabbed at Kevin Hart's height and the split of Wicked into two movies for more cash.
Glaser took shots at CBS News, calling it a place for BS news amid its recent troubles. The network faced criticism over leadership changes and a pulled 60 Minutes segment. She mocked George Clooney for playing a version of himself and Sean Penn for his activism and looks.
Later bits included helping Jeremy Strong find last year's outfit with Amy Poehler's help. She introduced presenters with playful twists, like calling Dakota Fanning the queen of hip hop before Queen Latifah. Glaser ended her monologue by saying she felt lucky to be there as a fan of everyone.
On Stern, Glaser ran through the cut material. The ICE joke played on immigration enforcement in a way that tied to Hollywood's border-crossing stars. The Trump bit hit on his return to politics and media presence. She tested them with her team but pulled back.
Glaser hosted last year too, and her style mixes love with bite. She impersonated Claire Danes' crying from Homeland and poked at Guillermo del Toro and James Cameron for monster movies. No politics then either.
What This Means
Glaser's choice shows how comedians navigate awards shows. These events mix celebration with entertainment, and politics can derail that. Stars attend to promote work, not debate issues. By skipping ICE and Trump, Glaser kept the focus on the nominees and kept the vibe upbeat.
This decision might set a tone for future hosts. Awards shows have cut back on heavy politics after past backlash. Viewers tune in for glamour and laughs, not arguments. Glaser's roast style worked because it stayed personal and industry-focused.
Her Stern appearance keeps the story alive. Fans get extra content, and it builds buzz for her next projects. Comedy now grapples with divided audiences. Glaser's move suggests targeting universal laughs over divisive ones pays off.
The Golden Globes drew solid ratings this year. Networks like CBS want hosts who deliver without risk. Glaser proved she can host, roast, and read the room. Her cut jokes might show up in a special later, giving fans what they missed.
Hollywood watches these choices closely. With elections and news cycles heating up, comedians pick paths carefully. Glaser's night reinforced her as a safe bet for big stages. She balanced edge with appeal, and the crowd responded.
Talk shows like Stern's thrive on behind-the-scenes scoops. This chat gives insight into prep work for a live event. Writers spend weeks on lines, testing for punch. Dropping bits is common, but sharing them builds connection with listeners.
Glaser's career keeps growing. Hosting twice at Globes opens doors to Oscars or Emmys. Her style fits the roast battle format too. By owning her edits, she shows smarts in a tough spot.
