Nikki Glaser hosted the 2026 Golden Globe Awards for her second consecutive year, delivering a monologue that addressed various entertainment and news topics. The ceremony, held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, involved significant logistical adjustments due to ongoing venue construction, including a redesigned red carpet and specific culinary preparations. Glaser's comedic material was developed through audience testing and considerations for the reactions of nominees. The broadcast aired live on CBS, with streaming options also available.
Host and Broadcast Details
Nikki Glaser hosted the 2026 Golden Globe Awards, marking her second consecutive year as host. She had previously served as the first solo female host for the event. The ceremony was broadcast live on Sunday, January 11, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on CBS, with streaming access provided through Paramount+ and Yahoo.com.
Comedic Strategy and Monologue
Ahead of the event, Glaser engaged in a comedic strategy that included testing material at Hollywood stand-up clubs. She initially considered an assertive comedic style but adjusted her approach after reviewing the list of nominees, which included individuals such as Julia Roberts, George Clooney, and Leonardo DiCaprio. Audience feedback during joke trials indicated a consistent reluctance towards jokes targeting Julia Roberts.
Glaser's monologue and jokes during the ceremony covered a range of subjects:
- Return: She referenced her return by stating, "Just like 'Wicked,' I'm back for a sequel."
- Julia Roberts: A joke was delivered, stating, "Just like the podcasters nominated tonight, I should not be allowed to be this close to Julia Roberts."
- Leonardo DiCaprio: Glaser made a joke concerning DiCaprio's dating history, stating, "What a career you've had...and the most impressive thing is that you were able to accomplish that all before your girlfriend turned 30." She followed this with an apology and a comment about his public persona.
- Other Nominees: Jokes were also directed at Jennifer Lawrence, Sean Penn, George Clooney, Dwayne Johnson, and Kevin Hart.
- Corporate Affairs: A reference was made to Netflix's reported $82.7 billion bid for Warner Bros.
- Current Events:
- Glaser referenced the redaction of Epstein files, stating, "There are so many A-listers, and by A-list I do mean a list that has been heavily redacted. And the Golden Globe for best editing goes to the Justice Department."
- She commented on CBS News, stating, "And the award for most editing goes to CBS News ... America’s newest place to see BS news," in reference to a pulled "60 Minutes" segment.
During her preparations, Glaser had outlined general joke policies, including avoiding "plus-ones" who are not nominees. She also indicated a preference for light engagement with political topics, an inclusive approach to plastic surgery jokes, and self-imposed off-limits subjects such as "nepo baby jokes," Jada Pinkett Smith, and Nicki Minaj's political affiliations. She noted her initial reluctance to joke about Leonardo DiCaprio due to personal admiration and a "blind spot" regarding Kylie Jenner.
Additional Ceremony Elements
The 2026 Golden Globes introduced a new Best Podcast category, which was promoted with a video featuring Glaser in a spoof of an AMC advertisement. Glaser also performed a musical number for the second consecutive year, which incorporated lyrics inspired by the film "Marty Supreme" set to the tune of "Golden" from "Kpop Demon Hunters," while holding a ping pong paddle. The performance was interrupted by Fran Drescher, who asked Glaser to stop singing and inquired about rapping in Korean.
Venue and Production Logistics
Preparations for the Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel encountered logistical challenges due to ongoing construction in the days leading up to the event.
- Red Carpet Redesign: The traditional red carpet location was unavailable. A new 500-foot red carpet was installed directly on Wilshire Boulevard, designed by Jitter Garcia and Kyle Absalom. This design included a descending staircase for celebrity arrivals, replacing the previous flat press backdrop. The aim was to provide multiple photo opportunities while ensuring safety. The design underwent real-world testing with various outfits and was revised once to optimize its appearance for television broadcasts. Stylists were provided with a preview of the new arrival experience.
- Catering: Chef Nobu Matsuhisa oversaw the culinary preparations, with approximately 1,200 plates served throughout the night. The menu featured black cod and yellowtail jalapeño sashimi. An additional sushi bar was made available to guests during the broadcast.
- "In Memoriam" Segment: Showrunner Glenn Weiss evaluated whether to include an "in memoriam" segment, a feature historically absent from the Golden Globes. Discussions included acknowledging the recent deaths of director Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, while aiming to maintain the show's established tone.