Nikki Glaser’s return as Golden Globes host in 2026 isn’t just about sharp jokes—it’s a high-stakes balancing act of relentless rehearsal, strategic joke-crafting, and navigating Hollywood’s egos. Here’s how she’s preparing to outdo her own 2025 triumph.
When Nikki Glaser took the stage at the 2025 Golden Globes, she didn’t just host—she redefined the role. Her razor-sharp wit, self-deprecating charm, and ability to roast Hollywood’s elite without burning bridges made her an instant standout. Now, as she gears up for her second stint on January 11, 2026, Glaser is leaving nothing to chance. From a 93-time rehearsal regimen to navigating the delicate art of celebrity joke-writing, here’s how she’s preparing to top herself.
The Grueling Rehearsal Process: Why 93 Times Isn’t Enough
Glaser’s preparation for the 2025 Globes was nothing short of obsessive. In an interview with E! News, she revealed she practiced her monologue 93 times before showtime. “[Tonight] will be my 94th time telling some version of this,” she said. But why the relentless repetition? “I don’t want people to think, ‘Oh she’s just reciting some monologue.’ I practice so much, so that when I get up there, I’m off-book and I can just be in it.”
This approach isn’t just about memorization—it’s about spontaneity. By internalizing the material, Glaser creates space for unscripted moments, the kind that turn a good monologue into a viral one. “Now I know it so well that I can be myself up there,” she explained. It’s a high-wire act: balancing precision with the illusion of effortlessness.
The Art of the Cut: Why Some Jokes Never Make It to Air
Not every joke survives Glaser’s rigorous editing process. During an appearance on The Howard Stern Show, she shared a few that didn’t make the cut, including a quip about Dax Shepard’s podcasting habits and a risque line about Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex trafficking trial. “This is the last time all of you will be in the same room together until the Diddy trial,” she originally planned to say, but ultimately scrapped it for something “less accusatory.”
The Diddy joke that did air—“The afterparty’s not going to be good this year. But, we have to move on. A Stanley Tucci freak-off just doesn’t have the same ring to it”—showcased Glaser’s ability to walk the line between edgy and alienating. As she told Stern, “You don’t want to do [a joke] where it’s like you’re accusing the people in that room of being involved in that, and they might turn on you.”
Amy Sussman/Getty Images
The Permission Paradox: When to Ask (and When to Apologize Later)
Glaser’s 2025 monologue included a joke about Selena Gomez’s fiancé, Benny Blanco: “Benny Blanco is here because of the genie who granted him that wish. Man, lucky guy.” She later admitted it was her “worst” joke of the night—but only because she’d sought Blanco’s permission beforehand. “Those people weren’t signing up for a roast,” she explained on the “Armchair Expert” podcast. “So, it was very gentle.”
For 2026, she’s taking a different approach. “I would rather ask for certain forgiveness later at the afterparty when they’re drunk,” she told CBS Mornings. The shift reflects her growing confidence—and the realization that some jokes lose their edge if pre-approved. As she put it, “If I got their number, would I write them and ask them? And then I go, ‘You know what, they might say no, and I know the joke isn’t that mean.’”
The Julia Roberts Rule: Why Some Stars Are Untouchable
Not all celebrities are fair game. Glaser discovered this the hard way while testing material in L.A. clubs. “Any joke about Julia Roberts, they are not there for,” she told CBS Mornings. “You cannot make fun of America’s Sweetheart. … They were booing, and I was like, ‘Is she here?’ It’s insane.”
The incident highlights a broader strategy: Glaser is focusing her 2026 jokes on younger stars, whom she views as easier targets. “It’s easy for me to take down the newer batch of actresses and actors who are younger than me,” she said. “I’m like a veteran.” But even here, she’s careful. “You have to be very delicate about making jokes that aren’t going to ruin anyone’s night.”
The Family Focus Group: Why Glaser’s Loved Ones Are Her Secret Weapon
Over the 2025 holidays, Glaser took her jokes home to St. Louis, using her family as a sounding board. “I was able to go home and spend time with my family,” she told Jimmy Kimmel. “[I got] in there and ran some jokes by them, see what they thought.”
This grassroots testing is part of her broader philosophy: comedy should resonate with both the A-list audience and viewers at home. As she told the Golden Globes website, “I wanted jokes that people at home and people in the room could get—jokes that are funny but not too mean.”
Why 2026 Could Be Even Bigger
With nominees like Leonardo DiCaprio, Timothée Chalamet, and Ariana Grande in the mix, Glaser has no shortage of material. But her real challenge is beating her own 2025 performance—a fact Jimmy Kimmel, a four-time Oscar host, knows all too well. “You’re now competing against yourself,” he noted. Glaser’s response? “I know and she’s a bitch.”
Her self-imposed pressure stems from what she calls “imposter syndrome.” “I always feel like, ‘How did I get this job?’ I have to keep it,” she confessed. That drive, combined with her relentless work ethic, suggests 2026’s Globes could be even sharper, funnier, and more unforgettable.
For fans, the message is clear: Glaser isn’t just hosting—she’s elevating the role. And if her preparation is any indication, the 2026 Golden Globes will be a masterclass in how to make Hollywood laugh at itself.
Stay ahead of the curve with onlytrustedinfo.com, where we deliver the fastest, most authoritative analysis of entertainment’s biggest moments. For more exclusive insights into awards season, celebrity culture, and behind-the-scenes stories, explore our entertainment hub.
