The theme for the prestigious 2025 Webby Awards, heralded as "All Good," shone a spotlight on the internet's finest moments of the preceding year during the annual gala. Yet, host Ilana Glazer, with unwavering candor, fearlessly delved into the realms of politics and the darker corners of technological advancements without hesitation.
Kicking off the evening with wit, Glazer quipped that the "All Good" theme had been chosen merely to avoid depression-inducing alternatives like "'The Accelerated March of the Broligarchy Towards Fascism Amidst a Climate Apocalypse on the Brink of No Return,'" which would undoubtedly dampen the spirits of all in attendance.
As her monologue unfolded, Glazer humorously addressed the lingering uncertainty surrounding TikTok's fate, jesting that Signal was the app that truly deserved to be blacklisted. "TikTok and the Trump administration were the social media's Ross and Rachel — a toxic love-hate relationship that left everyone wondering, 'Will they, won't they?'" she chuckled. "They banned it, unbanned it, and now they're talking about banning it again. Make up your mind already! There are women out there desperate for TikTok buddies to get ready with. And if we must ban something, let it be Signal. No one's plotting world domination on TikTok. The closest you'll get to war plans is a skinny influencer documenting their daily meals. Remember when Pete Hegseth actually used Signal to coordinate war strategies and accidentally included a journalist in the group chat? Signal is for organizing protests and illicit drug deals. Perhaps that was his intention all along? Maybe ‘bombs’ was his dealer's code for cocaine?"
Prior to gracing the Webby Awards' red carpet, Glazer hinted to The Hollywood Reporter about her intentions to tackle the prevailing political climate during her time on stage. "I'll definitely be addressing the rising tide of fascism multiple times," she vowed before the New York event. "That's pretty much all I need to say. I'm not focused on individuals or name-calling. I want to call out the system that threatens us all and uplift those who are bravely fighting against it."
However, Glazer was equally eager to celebrate "the creative minds shaping our culture and actively contributing positivity to the internet," as she emphasized during her monologue. Earlier, she had hinted at her aspiration as host to "foster an inclusive atmosphere where everyone feels welcomed and thrilled to celebrate their uniqueness."
