Comedian Nikki Glaser took the stage as the host of the 82nd Golden Globe Awards, held on January 5, 2025, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, California. The event brought together Hollywood's biggest stars, producers, and industry insiders for one of the most anticipated nights of the awards season.
Glaser is known for her sharp humor and no-holds-barred comedy style. She opened the show with a string of bold jokes aimed at celebrities, politicians, and pop culture moments from the past year.
The ceremony was packed with A-list attendees, including Zendaya, Timothée Chalamet, Nicole Kidman, Harrison Ford, Ben Affleck, Ariana Grande, and Glen Powell, among others. Filmmakers, directors, and producers also filled the room, making it a night that blended glamour with humor.
Glaser became the first woman to solo host the Golden Globes, setting the tone for the night with a mix of sharp one-liners and playful jabs. Her monologue quickly grabbed the audience's attention, kicking off an evening full of surprises and big moments.
When she was talking about Challengers (2024), she said " That was more s*xually charged than Diddy’s credit card."
All the jokes by Nikki Glaser made at the 82nd Golden Globe Awards
Nikki Glaser didn’t hold back during her debut as host of the 82nd Golden Globes, delivering a sharp, joke-packed monologue that left the audience laughing—and occasionally wincing.
From Hollywood scandals to election humor, Glaser covered a wide range of topics. Here’s a breakdown of every joke she made and why it landed the way it did.
“This feels like I finally made it. I’m in a room full of producers at the Beverly Hilton and this time all of my clothes are on.”
Nikki Glaser kicked things off with a self-deprecating jab about Hollywood’s history of exploitation and casting couch scandals.
“I’m not here to roast you. And how could I? You’re all so famous, so talented, so powerful. I mean, you could really do anything—except tell the country who to vote for. But it’s okay. You’ll get them next time!”
This joke poked fun at celebrities’ history of political activism, especially during election years, while lightly mocking their inability to influence actual outcomes. It got a good laugh from the audience, who were well aware of Hollywood’s reputation for political statements.
“Wicked, Queer, Nightbitch—these are not just words Ben Affleck yells after he orgasms. These are some of the incredible movies nominated tonight.”
Nikki Glaser delivered one of the night’s edgiest jokes with this line about Ben Affleck, blending humor about his personal life with wordplay on movie titles.
“Zendaya, you were incredible in Dune. I woke up for all of your scenes. And Challengers? That was more sexually charged than Diddy’s credit card.”
Zendaya’s star power and the buzz surrounding Challengers made this joke an easy win. The Diddy credit card reference also drew laughs, given recent controversies surrounding the rapper.
“If you’re watching on CBS, hello. If you’re watching this on Paramount+ you have six days left to cancel your free trial … Tonight, we celebrate the best of film—and hold space for television.”
Glaser didn’t miss the chance to take a swipe at streaming services. Paramount+ jokes always hit because it’s often treated as the underdog of streaming platforms.
“I look out and I see some of the hardest working actors in show business—and by that, I mean your servers.”
This line reminded everyone about the ongoing discussions around fair pay and working conditions in Hollywood, especially following recent strikes.
“Tilda Swinton is, of course, nominated this year for her role as Timothée Chalamet … Timothée Chalamet, you have the most gorgeous eyelashes—on your upper lip.”
Glaser took a playful jab at Chalamet’s thin mustache, poking fun at the actor’s distinctive look.
“In Wicked, some people complained that the movie was ruined by people singing. And then in Joker 2, some people complained that the movie was ruined by the images on the screen and the sounds that accompanied them.”
The criticism of Joker 2 has been a hot topic, so this joke landed especially well. Nikki Glaser cleverly acknowledged both films while addressing the mixed reviews they received.
“The legendary Harrison Ford is here tonight. I was talking to Harrison backstage, and after he gave me his drink order, I said, ‘Would you rather work with Zendaya or Ariana?’ And he said, ‘indica.’”
This joke played off Ford’s laid-back personality and humorously implied he had marijuana on his mind. The casual delivery made it one of the funnier moments of the night.
“The Bear, The Penguin, Baby Reindeer—these are not just things found in R.F.K.’s freezer. These are TV shows nominated tonight.”
Nikki Glaser combined references to hit TV shows and conspiracy theories about Robert F. Kennedy Jr., tying them together in a way that got laughs without pushing too far.
“Nicole Kidman is here for Babygirl. That movie was so good, I give it two fingers up. Nicole, this is your 20th Golden Globe nomination. Thank you for all your hard work. And thank you to Keith Urban for playing guitar around the house so much that she wants to leave and make 18 movies a year.”
This joke balanced admiration for Kidman’s career with humor about her personal life. It was a hit because it acknowledged Kidman’s talent while poking fun at her busy schedule.
“Eddie Redmayne did TV this year. He’s nominated for Peacock’s The Day of the Jackal. It’s about a top-secret elite sniper who no one can see—because he’s on Peacock.”
Nikki Glaser took another dig at Peacock, calling out its lower visibility compared to other platforms. It worked because the audience could relate to the struggles of niche streaming services.
“This is going be a very memorable evening, and maybe not even in the way that you think. I predict five years from now, when you’re watching old clips of this show on YouTube, you’ll see someone in one of the crowd shots, and you’ll go, ‘Oh my God, that was before they caught that guy.’”
This joke leaned into Hollywood’s ongoing scandals, hinting at future controversies. It got nervous laughs because it hit close to home for an industry dealing with public scrutiny.
“Emilia Pérez earned 10 nominations for Netflix, and I loved it. I think it is, without a doubt, the most audacious, groundbreaking film to ever autoplay after Is It Cake?”
By comparing an acclaimed film to a lighthearted Netflix show, Nikki Glaser poked fun at the randomness of streaming recommendations. It was relatable for anyone who’s ever been confused by Netflix’s algorithm.
“Glen Powell, you were in everything. Twisters, Hit Man, my head when I’m having s*x with my boyfriend. Thank you so much for the assist. I’ll see you tonight.”
This was one of Nikki Glaser’s raunchier jokes, but it worked because Powell has been everywhere lately. It also made the audience laugh because of its unexpected personal twist.
“I do want to remind you, if you do lose tonight, please just keep in mind that the point of making art is not to win an award. The point of making art is to start a tequila brand.”
Nikki Glaser wrapped up with a shot at celebrity business ventures, particularly tequila brands, which have become a trend. It was a funny way to remind everyone not to take the awards too seriously.
You can watch the whole monologue by Nikki Glaser on Golden Globe's Youtube.