Glenn Weiss and Ricky Kirshner, executive producers and showrunners for the 2026 Golden Globes telecast, discussed their production experiences following the event.
Host Nikki Glaser
The producers praised host Nikki Glaser's work ethic and extensive preparation for the show, which included testing material at comedy clubs. They acknowledged her writing team, led by Chris Convy, for their support. Both producers expressed satisfaction with Glaser's performance and indicated a desire for her to return as host. CBS was credited for allowing Glaser to include jokes about the network in her opening monologue.
Broadcast Elements and Decisions
- Color Commentary: The telecast replaced on-screen "fun facts" with live, in-person color commentary provided by Marc Malkin and Kevin Frazier. This segment offered analysis as winners moved to the stage, aiming for a conversational style. The producers noted that this change generated mixed critical responses online.
- Best Original Score Category: The "Best Original Score" category was not presented during the live telecast due to time constraints. This decision was made by a group involved in the production and was not spontaneous. The award presentation was made available online, aiming to ensure the winner's experience was similar to other award recipients.
- Music Choices: Music selections for the telecast featured popular and dance hits. This approach aimed to create a party-like atmosphere, particularly during the walk to the stage. Different music was used for presenters and winners, with care taken to ensure selections were appropriate for the categories.
- Crowd Shots: The broadcast increased its use of multi-camera crowd shots, including four-way and eight-way split screens. This decision was made to allow viewers to observe more interactions among celebrities in the audience.
- Polymarket Integration: Polymarket was incorporated into the telecast as a new element, which was added late in the production process. The producers aimed for a conversational presentation of this feature.
- Clip Reels: The number of clip reels was reduced during the telecast due to time limitations, especially as the show progressed and more acceptance speeches were delivered.
Memorable Moments
The producers highlighted an unplanned standing ovation for Julia Roberts, which coincided with George Clooney's segment. They also noted the quality of the acceptance speeches, particularly those from the 11 first-time acting winners and one first-time director winner, who delivered heartfelt remarks.