Nikki Glaser Steals the Spotlight with Her Sharp and Fearless Golden Globes Monologue

The comedian's monologue tackled redacted Epstein files, media censorship, and Hollywood power, earning online praise for gutsy delivery and raw honesty.

As host of the 2026 Golden Globes, Nikki Glaser, 41, delivered sharp comedy with precision, and closed the night with a quietly powerful tribute.

Her monologue took aim at big names, lit up social media, and ended with a nod to the late filmmaker, even in the absence of a formal in memoriam segment.

What She Actually Said

Glaser began with a jab at the recently released, heavily redacted Jeffrey Epstein files."It's insane. There's so many A-listers, and by 'A-listers,' I do mean people who are on 'a list' that has been heavily redacted," she said. She followed it up with another punchline: "And the Golden Globe for best editing goes to the Justice Department."

Next, she turned to CBS News, the very network broadcasting the show, calling it "America's newest place to see BS News." This came shortly after CBS reportedly pulled a "60 Minutes" segment on the Trump administration's deportation of Venezuelan migrants.

She also slipped in a shot at Warner Bros., using the ongoing bidding war between Netflix and Paramount as material while nodding to the success of "Sinners."

The online response was swift and positive. One Facebook commenter said, "Epic and fearless 🔥." Another typed, "This was probably the best opener I have seen in a LONG time!! She is funny, while also being so likable and endearing. Total talent."

A third added, "That deserved a standing ovation imo 🤣," while someone else remarked, "She gets award for best comment of the night."

One netizen found Glaser hilarious for fearlessly voicing what everyone else was secretly thinking. Another gushed over her, calling her "fabulous" and "So so funny."

Someone imagined the tension in the room, picturing people nervously laughing at a joke that may have hit too close to home. A different viewer praised the entire bit as a "really solid monologue."

How She Closed Her Monologue

Glaser closed her Golden Globes debut with a moment that struck a different tone from the rest of the night. In a quiet shift, she paid tribute to the late director Rob Reiner.

She slipped on a "Spinal Tap" baseball cap. "That's our show. This one went to 11," she said. "Thank you guys for an amazing night, and I hope we found the line between clever and stupid."

The emotional tribute came nearly a month after Hollywood was shaken by tragedy. Reiner and his wife, Michele Reiner, were found dead in their Brentwood, California, home. Their son, Nick Reiner, has been charged with their murders.

Before the show, Glaser spoke to USA Today about how she planned to recognize Reiner. "So there's not a whole section set aside to honor everyone we've lost," she said. "But I have something planned that I'm going to do in my own way to just acknowledge (Reiner) and celebrate him in my own way."

She spoke with care, noting she didn't know Reiner well, but still wanted to honor him properly. Glaser explained at the time:

"I'm not going to linger on it too much because I think that's what we've been doing for the past few weeks. But obviously, I thought if something happened to me and Rob Reiner was hosting a show, given our relationship, how would I want him to handle it? I think I landed on something that I feel he would do for me, too."

She also pointed to comedian and actress Chelsea Handler's recent tribute to the Reiners at the Critics Choice Awards, describing it as a thoughtful example of how to handle such a moment with grace.

Beyond the stage, Glaser's star keeps rising. She is attached to an upcoming Hulu comedy special and a romantic comedy film in development with Judd Apatow. She also serves as executive producer on the forthcoming scripted series "Unsettling," which is currently in production.

Her past credits span stand-up, reality TV, and talk formats. She executive-produced and starred in "Nikki Glaser: Good Clean Filth" (2022) and "Nikki Glaser: Bangin'" (2019), both recognized for her blunt and fearless comedic style.

In unscripted television, she brought her voice to shows like "FBoy Island" and "Welcome Home Nikki Glaser?," blending sharp humor with personal insight. Earlier in her career, she co-created and hosted "Not Safe with Nikki Glaser" and "Nikki & Sara Live," further establishing her range as both a comedian and a producer.