Nikki Glaser Monologue Felt Like Cheap Rerun

Same Script, Same Nikki Glaser, Different Year

We were promised a “censor-free” night of high-velocity humor, but what we got was a trip down memory lane that nobody asked for. Nikki Glaser is a talented stand-up, but her 2026 Golden Globes monologue felt like she was reading off a 2015 “Most Wanted” list.

If I hear one more joke about Leonardo DiCaprio’s dating age limit or George Clooney’s love for Lake Como, I might actually turn into the “leather bag” she accused Sean Penn of looking like. It’s direct, it’s unoriginal, and frankly, it made the Beverly Hilton feel more like a basement comedy club than a prestigious gala.

The Stiff Smile Era

The most telling part of the night wasn’t the jokes; it was the reaction shots.

• The Stiff Smiles: The camera cuts to Leo, George, and Amal Clooney were a masterclass in “polite but pained” expressions. Amal, in particular, looked like she was counting down the seconds until she could leave the room.
• The “I Love You” Safety Net: You can’t spend five minutes tearing someone down—like calling a legend like Sean Penn a “leather bag”—and then try to save yourself by chirping “I love you!” at the end. It’s insincere, and in 2026, the audience can smell the fear of a PR nightmare from a mile away.

WomanEdit Deep Dive: Is the Roast Era Over?

1. The “Borrowed” Humor

The internet didn’t miss the fact that Nikki seemed to “borrow” her Timothée Chalamet bit directly from Adam Sandler’s playbook from last year.

• The Fact: In 2025, she and Sandler shared a viral moment over Chalamet’s name. In 2026, she tried to revive it solo, and the result was more “stale” than “standout“.

2. Trying Too Hard vs. Being Original

There is a fine line between being “edgy” and just trying too hard to be the next Ricky Gervais.

• The Issue: Glaser admitted to testing these jokes for weeks in L.A. clubs. But by the time they hit the TV, the “edge” had been sanded off into something safe and uninspired. She’s a “cute girl,” sure, but “cute” doesn’t make up for a lack of original bite.

3. The “Celebration” Conflict

Why do we need to roast people before we celebrate their life’s work?.

• The Move: The Globes have spent years trying to fix their reputation. Inundating the night with “fun facts” and awkward roasts feels like a “cheap” distraction from the actual art. If we’re there to celebrate, let’s celebrate—leave the roast for a Comedy Central special.

A Stiff Shot of Award Show Reality

The Golden Globes monologue is becoming an unnecessary relic of a “cringe” era. Nikki Glaser proved that even with a month of preparation, you can still produce a luke-warm hit that leaves the room feeling awkward instead of energized. It’s time to move past the “roast” and get back to the “awards.”