What Nikki Glaser Said in Her 2026 Golden Globes Monologue (Full Recap + Best Jokes)

SEO Meta Description: A U.S.-focused recap of what Nikki Glaser said in her 2026 Golden Globes monologue, including standout jokes, who she roasted, and why viewers praised her opening.

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Table of Contents

• What Nikki Glaser said (highlights recap)
• Big targets: who got roasted and why it landed
• Best moments: jokes viewers kept quoting
• Why the monologue worked (U.S. audience + award-show context)
• Watch/Read the monologue (quick links)
• FAQs

What Nikki Glaser said in her 2026 Golden Globes monologue (highlights)

Nikki Glaser’s 2026 opening leaned into classic roast-comedy pacing: fast setups, short punchlines, and quick pivots from Hollywood to headline culture. She opened with the idea that the Golden Globes are “the most important thing happening in the world,” then immediately undercut it with jokes about business headlines and media “editing.” The Hollywood Reporter noted she “came out swinging” while TODAY.com presented a highlights list that captured the tone: playful but sharp. [Source](https://www.today.com/popculture/awards/nikki-glaser-monologue-golden-globes-2026-rcna252887)

In the room, she aimed her jokes at familiar A-list targets and easy-to-recognize cultural references, including George Clooney (via his Nespresso ads), Kevin Hart and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as a duo, and Leonardo DiCaprio with a dating-age punchline. The monologue also included a “fan” close where Glaser praised creators and performers while still making jokes, a move that helped the roast feel celebratory instead of mean-spirited. [Source](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/golden-globes-2026-nikki-glaser-monologue-1236468077/)

Big targets: who she roasted (and why it felt very “America 2026”)

[George Clooney](https://www.google.com/search?q=George+Clooney+Golden+Globes+2026) + the Nespresso bit

One of the cleanest “room jokes” was the Clooney moment: Glaser joked about her Nespresso coming out watery and asked if it was a pod or filter issue—an easy U.S. pop-culture reference because Clooney has been the long-running face of Nespresso ads. It’s the kind of joke that plays well in America: brand recognition, celebrity association, and a quick pivot to absurd “customer support” energy. [Source](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/golden-globes-2026-nikki-glaser-monologue-1236468077/)

[Kevin Hart](https://www.google.com/search?q=Kevin+Hart+Golden+Globes+2026) + [Dwayne Johnson](https://www.google.com/search?q=Dwayne+Johnson+Golden+Globes+2026) as a comedy pairing

Glaser framed Hart as “The Rock’s plus one-half,” then compared the duo to classic comedy pairs—an insult that worked because it was built from a familiar American entertainment dynamic: blockbuster duo branding, height contrast, and big “studio comedy” energy. Both TODAY.com and The Hollywood Reporter highlighted these jokes among the set’s most quoted lines. [Source](https://www.today.com/popculture/awards/nikki-glaser-monologue-golden-globes-2026-rcna252887)

[Leonardo DiCaprio](https://www.google.com/search?q=Leonardo+DiCaprio+Golden+Globes+2026+joke) and the “girlfriend turned 30” punchline

The DiCaprio bit drew one of the biggest reactions online: Glaser praised his career, then delivered the line about him accomplishing it “before your girlfriend turned 30.” She followed it by admitting the joke was “cheap,” but framed it as a commentary on how little the public “knows” about him beyond that meme-level narrative. That self-aware tag is part of why the joke traveled so well on U.S. social feeds: it’s not just a punch—it’s a punch plus a wink. [Source](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/golden-globes-2026-nikki-glaser-monologue-1236468077/)

Best moments people kept repeating (recap-style)

If you’re searching “What Nikki Glaser said in her 2026 Golden Globes monologue,” you’re probably looking for the most shareable lines. Based on published recaps and transcripts, the jokes that spread fastest were the ones that (1) referenced widely known U.S. celebrity narratives, (2) stayed short enough for social captions, and (3) included a second tag that made the target feel in on it. TODAY.com compiled multiple highlights in a bullet-style recap. [Source](https://www.today.com/popculture/awards/nikki-glaser-monologue-golden-globes-2026-rcna252887)

For readers who want the full text in one place, USA TODAY published the monologue transcript, including the longer run of jokes about the room (Clooney, Hart, The Rock, Jennifer Lawrence, The White Lotus cast, DiCaprio, and more) plus her closing “love letter” to creators. [Source](https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2026/01/11/nikki-glaser-golden-globes-2026-monologue/88136464007/)

Why the monologue worked (SEO-friendly breakdown for a U.S. audience)

From an American TV-and-pop-culture perspective, Glaser’s success came down to balance: she roasted “big” targets (safe, famous, meme-ready), sprinkled in topical references about news and Hollywood business, and then ended by crediting artists and creators—reminding viewers it’s an awards show, not just a roast. That arc is visible across the coverage: GoldenGlobes.com framed it as “roasts with love,” and described how the best digs “work when the roaster reveres her subjects.” [Source](https://goldenglobes.com/articles/nikki-glasers-83rd-annual-golden-globes-monologue-roasts-with-love/)

In other words, her 2026 Golden Globes opening wasn’t just a list of insults—it was structured like a mini-story: “This night is huge,” “Here’s what America is talking about,” “Here are the stars you came to see,” and “Also, I genuinely love this work.” That is exactly the formula that tends to perform in U.S. search: a clear recap, recognizable names, and a clean “why it matters” section that gives context beyond quotes.

Watch or read it (fast links)

• Search: Nikki Glaser Opening Monologue (video)
• Search: “What Nikki Glaser Said In Her 2026 Golden Globes Monologue”
• TODAY.com highlights recap
• USA TODAY full monologue transcript
• The Hollywood Reporter recap + context

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FAQs (click to expand)

Did Nikki Glaser host the Golden Globes in 2026?

Yes. Coverage from TODAY.com and other outlets describes Glaser returning to host the 2026 Golden Globes, marking her second stint and noting she made history the year prior as the first woman to host solo. [Source](https://www.today.com/popculture/awards/nikki-glaser-monologue-golden-globes-2026-rcna252887)

Where can I read the full 2026 Golden Globes monologue text?

USA TODAY published the full monologue transcript under “Nikki Glaser Golden Globes opening monologue.” [Source](https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2026/01/11/nikki-glaser-golden-globes-2026-monologue/88136464007/)

Who did Nikki Glaser joke about the most?

Recaps highlight jokes aimed at multiple stars, including Leonardo DiCaprio, George Clooney, Kevin Hart, and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, along with broader Hollywood and media references. [Source](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/golden-globes-2026-nikki-glaser-monologue-1236468077/)

Why did the monologue trend in the United States?

It combined celebrity targets that U.S. audiences immediately recognize, short quoteable lines suited to social media, and a “roasts with love” framing that softened the edges—something emphasized in GoldenGlobes.com’s write-up. [Source](https://goldenglobes.com/articles/nikki-glasers-83rd-annual-golden-globes-monologue-roasts-with-love/)

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