As comedian Nikki Glaser skewered Tom Brady during her scorching Netflix roast last May, the question arises: Who will she set her sights on when she takes the helm as host of the 2025 Golden Globes this Sunday? Countless individuals may already harbor a hunch, even before the glittering ceremony unfolds on screen.
Glaser has been honing her Golden Globes opener in a series of stand-up performances across the country, and she intends to continue sharpening her wit at comedy clubs scattered around Los Angeles this weekend. "I've lined up nine shows between now and Sunday," Glaser revealed to The Hollywood Reporter at Thursday's red carpet preview for the Globes at The Beverly Hilton. "I'm determined to refine my jokes and ensure my monologue reaches its pinnacle of perfection. Not all hosts embark on such a journey. Fortunately, as a comedian, I have the privilege of rehearsing in front of live audiences, and I trust my fans to keep my jokes under wraps. Besides, I've got an abundant stash of jokes, so even if a few slip out, I'll still be in good stead."
Her upcoming gigs include stints at The Comedy Store, Hollywood Improv, and The Ice House Pasadena, in addition to the numerous stand-up appearances where she's already trialed her Globes material in recent months. "It's been an incredibly collaborative endeavor," Glaser said of crafting her Golden Globes monologue with the input of live audiences. "When I step on stage, I simply ask, 'Hey everyone, would you mind if I ran through my set?' And they're thrilled. They feel like they're part of this intriguing, somewhat clandestine process, because they truly are."
The comedian confided that she tells her test audiences, "If you crack up at a joke and then hear it again on Sunday night during the Globes, you can proudly say, 'I told her to do that joke,' because you did." This Sunday's show will mark Glaser's debut as the Golden Globes host. Glenn Weiss and Ricky Kirshner of White Cherry Entertainment (WCE) return for their second consecutive year as showrunners.
With a wealth of experience in numerous award ceremonies and collaborations with various hosts, Nikki Glaser has demonstrated unwavering determination and a commitment to meticulous preparation, as shared by Weiss with The Hollywood Reporter. "Nikki's dedication to the task is what will ensure this evening's success from the outset. She has thoroughly rehearsed the material, performing in four or five shows nightly to fine-tune her delivery and guarantee a perfect reception. Her thorough preparation deserves accolades and is a testament to the extended period—several months—she has had to hone her craft. This meticulousness brings us to a position of strength," Weiss enthused.
Glaser's hosting gig was announced in August 2024, following her remarkable performance at the Brady roast. This year, she is also a nominee for her HBO special, Someday You’ll Die. Back in September, during the Emmys weekend, THR inquired about her initial thoughts upon being tapped to helm the esteemed event, often dubbed Hollywood's most anticipated gathering of the year.
"I thought, 'They've made an excellent choice,'" Glaser reminisced to THR during that time. "I understand what it takes to make it extraordinary and the magnitude of effort involved. I approach it with utmost seriousness." As the ceremony loomed just days away, she added, "My sentiment remains the same. Truly. I hire individuals for tasks, expecting them to cherish the opportunity, handle it with care, and work diligently—which is precisely what I've done. So, I believe I've kept my promise."
While Glaser is relying on her preview audiences to maintain the secrecy of her Golden Globes jokes until Sunday, she disclosed to THR that there's one star she's eager to publicly praise during the broadcast.
"I simply cannot bypass Timothée Chalamet; he's a standout talent," Glaser exclaimed. "I admired him immensely in A Complete Unknown. I yearn to commend him for that outstanding performance, and given the uncertainty of catching him at the afterparty, the stage might be my sole opportunity to tell him, 'Dude, you were phenomenal.' If the only way to convey this admiration is through a joke, then so be it, because I must let him know. That will be a delight."
The Golden Globes will be broadcast live on CBS and streamed on Paramount+ at 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET on Sunday. Dick Clark Productions, the entity behind the Golden Globes, is owned by Penske Media Eldridge, a collaboration between Penske Media Corporation and Eldridge that also houses The Hollywood Reporter.
