Nikki Glaser Shares Jokes That Didn’t Air at the 2026 Golden Globes
Comedian Nikki Glaser hosted the 2026 Golden Globe Awards for the second year in a row. After the show, she revealed that she cut several jokes from her prepared monologue before the live broadcast. Many of these jokes were sharper or more controversial than those she actually told on stage.
Glaser discussed the unused material during an interview on “The Howard Stern Show” after the ceremony. She said some jokes were too edgy or didn’t fit the moment, so she decided to leave them out to avoid hurting people’s feelings or causing trouble.
Why Some Jokes Were Cut
- Balance and tone: Glaser wanted to be funny but not mean-spirited or hurtful to the stars in the room.
- Sensitivity: Some jokes touched on sensitive topics that might have been too much for a live awards show.
- Audience reactions: Comedians often test jokes ahead of time and choose material that gets the best laughs.
She also said she avoided political jokes because the political climate “felt too serious” to make light of, and some earlier political lines from a fellow comedian were dropped for being “not funny enough.”
Examples of Cut Jokes
Glaser shared several of the quips that didn’t make the broadcast:
Celebrity Roasts
- Sean Penn: A joke about Penn’s appearance and “neck veins” was cut.
- Leonardo DiCaprio: One line joked about him squinting to read his girlfriend’s ID.
- Julia Roberts: A joke about her movie After the Hunt played on the idea that few people have seen it.
- Chase Infiniti: Glaser had a pun ready comparing the actor’s name to a travel card reward.
- Jonathan Bailey: A cut joke commented on him being named Sexiest Man Alive.
- Jeff Goldblum: Another unfired bit imagined him wandering out of an Apartments.com commercial.
These jokes show how far Glaser’s wildest ideas went before she chose the polished and safer material that aired.
Other Unused Material
Some jokes never made it to the broadcast because they weren’t fitting for the night, even if they were funny:
- A sharp Sydney Sweeney joke about her film’s box-office struggles was scrapped because the actress wasn’t in attendance.
- Jabs about political figures — including Donald Trump and ICE — were dropped because Glaser said they didn’t feel appropriate or funny given current events.
Glaser said editing jokes for a big show is part of her job and helps keep the tone right.
What Did Air Instead?
Although many sharper lines were cut, Glaser still delivered plenty of laughs during the televised show. She roasted stars like Leonardo DiCaprio and Timothée Chalamet, making fun of Hollywood and the ceremony itself. Many guests and viewers said her monologue was clever and bold, even with the toned-down version on TV.
Glaser’s ability to balance humor with sensitivity helped the show stay fun without crossing lines.
Bottom Line
Nikki Glaser’s post-show revelations give a peek behind the scenes of what makes a big awards-show monologue work. She wrote and rehearsed much edgier jokes than what aired, but chose to cut them for tone, sensitivity and timing. Her comments show how comedians tailor material to fit the audience and keep the show entertaining and respectful.
About the author
Annelise Sylta
Annelise Sylta is an accomplished digital marketing and public relations professional with an MBA from FIDM. Her academic background and industry experience have shaped her strategic approach to communications, branding, and audience engagement. She has also been invited to contribute to The Showbiz Journal, where she shares insights informed by her expertise and professional perspective.
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