Nikki Glaser says Julia Roberts is off-limits as she returns to host Golden Globes in Los Angeles
As Nikki Glaser returns to host the Golden Globes in Los Angeles this Sunday, the comedian revealed one major star is off-limits for her roast material: Julia Roberts, whom audiences defended when she tested those jokes in LA clubs.
- Nikki Glaser, 41, returns as Golden Globes host in Los Angeles after praised solo debut last year (Fox News).
- Testing in LA clubs taught her audiences booed jokes about Julia Roberts—making that target effectively untouchable (CBS Mornings clip).
- Strategy shift: Glaser plans to temper the harshest roast material to preserve the room while still delivering for viewers at home (Fox News; CBS Mornings clip).
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Workshopping the monologue: Glaser has been trying out her Golden Globes monologue around Los Angeles at comedy clubs, describing the process as research — an opportunity to see “what lands with people who live and breathe the entertainment industry and what falls flat.”
Testing the monologue in LA clubs
Glaser told CBS Mornings clip she tested a joke about Julia Roberts and was met with boos.
“I mean, they were booing, and I was like, ‘Is she here?’ It’s insane,” she said on the program.
That reaction shaped her approach. Glaser said the crowd response demonstrated that jokes about Roberts must be “the most fine‑tuned joke” if used at all, and that she’ll be cautious about pressing the issue during the broadcast (Fox News; CBS Mornings clip).
Why Julia Roberts is tricky for comedians
Wide appeal and cultural status: On CBS Mornings clip, Gayle King noted, “Nikki, Julia is everywhere,” and Glaser agreed, calling Roberts “America’s sweetheart.” That label signals a protection from audiences that can turn an otherwise clever joke into a distraction or perceived attack.
For comics who rely on immediate crowd response, that level of affection can derail a bit. Glaser said she learned the hard way when LA crowds rejected her Roberts material, prompting caution for the Globes stage (Fox News; CBS Mornings clip).
Balancing the room and the TV audience
“Covert mission”: Glaser described hosting awards shows as a delicate task: keep the live room from feeling attacked while giving TV viewers the edge they expect. The proximity of nominees and industry figures adds pressure, since cameras capture every reaction.
She says she’s taking a different approach this year — “leave the mean for the roast” — aiming to avoid the very harsh material she’s known for on formal roasts (such as Netflix’s Roast of Tom Brady), which nonetheless helped raise her profile and credibility (Fox News).
Outreach, permission and the after‑party strategy
Glaser said last year she sometimes reached out to celebrities in advance to run certain jokes by them. This year, she’ll be more selective about when to ask permission. She joked she might “ask for forgiveness later at the after party when they’re drunk,” but emphasized she won’t risk anything that could “ruin the vibe in the room.”
The role of Los Angeles comedy clubs as a testing ground
LA clubs act as a live lab where comics gauge reactions from fans, colleagues and entertainment professionals. Glaser’s experience shows how local booing can ripple into a global broadcast — what’s rejected in a club can become a viral misfire, while a joke that lands can energize both the room and viewers worldwide.
Context: why Glaser was chosen and how she is viewed
Glaser earned acclaim for her solo hosting last year, becoming the first woman to host the Golden Globes on her own. Critics and viewers gave her overwhelmingly positive reviews, and her sharp roast work (including the widely covered Roast of Tom Brady) bolstered her reputation and helped secure her return (Fox News).
Implications for the world
Economic: The Golden Globes are a global media event. A host who balances the room and television can affect ratings, advertising revenue and streaming views worldwide.
Political & cultural: Declaring a figure off-limits reflects how PR, fan loyalty and cultural diplomacy shape permissible content on global broadcasts; stars like Julia Roberts carry soft power across borders.
Social: The reaction to jokes about Roberts highlights worldwide fan protectiveness and signals what comics feel safe saying — influencing performers across regions and markets.
Practical takeaways: Producers and comedians should test material in local markets that reflect the live audience. Glaser’s LA testing demonstrates the value of pre-broadcast workshops to avoid viral misfires and protect ratings and sponsors.
Sources and further reading
- Fox News coverage: Golden Globes host Nikki Glaser names one Hollywood star you cannot make fun of
- CBS Mornings (clip on YouTube) featuring Nikki Glaser interview
Reporting by Times Media Service
