Nikki Glaser on the Golden Globes: The One Star Off-Limits for Jokes

Nikki Glaser is gearing up for her second stint as host of the Golden Globes, and this time, she’s come armed with a sharper sense of what works—and what absolutely doesn’t—when it comes to poking fun at Hollywood’s elite. After making history last year as the first woman to take on the role solo, Glaser has been back on the comedy circuit, road-testing her material in Los Angeles clubs ahead of the big night.

It turns out, there’s one particular A-lister who’s strictly off-limits for laughs. Glaser, reflecting on her recent experiences, shared that audiences simply won’t have it when it comes to jokes about Julia Roberts.

“I’m trying out my monologue around LA at the clubs here and just even any joke about Julia Roberts, they are not there for.”

The reaction, she says, is immediate and unmistakable.

“You cannot make fun of America’s sweetheart,”

Glaser remarked, noting that any quip about Roberts requires the utmost care. She’s spent more time fine-tuning those lines than any other, aware that the margin for error is razor-thin.

Testing the Waters: Audiences Draw the Line

Glaser’s attempts to get a laugh at Roberts’ expense have been met with a wall of disapproval.

“Whatever I end up saying about her, that is the most fine-tuned joke that I’ve worked on so hard, because it is very delicate.”

She described the crowd’s response as nothing short of “insane,” with some even booing her efforts. The comedian likened the reaction to making light of a national tragedy, saying,

“She is the most sacred of cows in America. I assumed that we want to protect her at all costs, but it’s as if I was joking about JonBenét [Ramsey]. [Audiences] were like, ‘This is not funny. We’re not going to laugh about it.’”

It’s a rare thing in the world of celebrity roasts for a star to be so universally shielded from mockery. Yet, for Roberts, the public’s affection seems to have drawn a clear boundary—one that Glaser has learned not to cross lightly.

Spotlight on the Nominees

This year, Roberts is in the running for ‘Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama’ for her role in After The Hunt. She faces competition from Jessie Buckley, recognised for Hamnet, and Renate Reinsve, who stars in Sentimental Value. The film One Battle After Another has emerged as the frontrunner, boasting nine nominations, including nods for ‘Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy’ and a leading actor nomination for Leonardo DiCaprio.

The ceremony, set for 11 January 2026 in Los Angeles, promises its usual mix of glamour, anticipation, and, if Glaser has her way, a few well-placed laughs—though perhaps not at the expense of certain cherished icons.