The 83rd Golden Globe Awards, held on Sunday, saw the return of host Nikki Glaser, who took the stage with a biting and hilarious opening monologue that left no celebrity in the room safe. In her second consecutive year hosting the prestigious ceremony, Glaser proved why she was asked back, blending sharp wit with playful jabs at some of Hollywood's biggest names.
Glaser's Sequel and Star-Studded Jabs
Addressing her return to the Golden Globes stage, Nikki Glaser kicked off by humorously comparing herself to famous sequels and creations. "Just like Wicked, I'm back for a sequel," she declared, adding, "Just like Frankenstein, I've been pieced together by an unlicensed European surgeon." The comedian then swiftly turned her attention to the A-list audience, saving some of her most talked-about burns for Leonardo DiCaprio and Timothee Chalamet.
In a now-viral moment, Glaser highlighted DiCaprio's illustrious career before zeroing in on his personal life. "What a career Leonardo DiCaprio has had. Countless iconic performances, you've worked with every great director, you've won three Golden Globes and an Oscar, and the most impressive thing is you were able to accomplish all that before your girlfriend turned 30," she said, drawing a huge reaction from the crowd. She later apologised to a laughing DiCaprio, saying the joke was "cheap" but that there was "nothing else" known about him.
She also praised Best Actor winner Timothee Chalamet with a characteristic twist: "He's the first actor in history to have to put on muscle for a movie about ping-pong." Her bit on Michael B. Jordan's role in 'Sinners' where he played twins also had the audience in stitches. "We got two Michael B. Jordans. When I saw that, I was like Nikki B. Jerkin' because that was awesome," she joked, as Jordan laughed awkwardly beside his mother.
Taking Aim at Hollywood Business and Other Celebrities
Nikki Glaser's monologue wasn't limited to individual stars. She also addressed major industry stories, starting with the high-profile Netflix-Warner Bros deal. "So let's get down to business, shall we? We'll start the bidding for Warner Bros at $5, do I hear $5?" she quipped. On the topic of major studio mergers and antitrust scrutiny, she awarded a fictional Golden Globe, stating, "And the Golden Globe for best editing goes to the Justice Department."
The host continued her roast of attendees, describing Sean Penn as a "sexy leather handbag" and referring to the duo of Kevin Hart and Dwayne Johnson as the "Steve Martin and Martin Short for people under 50 IQ." Each joke was delivered with a mix of cheekiness and affection that has become Glaser's signature style.
A Successful Return for the Host
Nikki Glaser, who made her successful debut as a Golden Globes host in 2025, was swiftly rehired for the 2026 edition. Her performance solidified her position as a master of the awards show monologue, capable of walking the fine line between satire and celebration. The ceremony, broadcast live, showcased her ability to engage directly with the celebrities in the room, turning them into both targets and participants in the comedy.
The 83rd Golden Globes will be remembered not just for its winners, but for Glaser's fearless and funny opening act that set the tone for the night. Her jokes about DiCaprio's dating life, Chalamet's physique, and Hollywood's business machinations quickly dominated social media conversations, proving the enduring power of a well-crafted awards show roast.
