Nikki Glaser came out swinging at the 2025 Golden Globes, opening her hosting debut with a monologue packed with pointed humor aimed at Diddy, Timothée Chalamet, and the movie industry as Hollywood’s A-list stars filled the Beverly Hilton on January 5.
Glaser wasted no time getting to the jabs, calling the awards ceremony "Ozempic’s biggest night" and quipping to viewers on Paramount+, "You have six days left to cancel your free trial." This set the comedic tone for the evening, as she reflected on her presence at the star-studded event, stating, "I’ve got to say, this feels like I finally made it. You know, I’m in a room full of producers at the Beverly Hilton hotel, and this time all of my clothes are on," which elicited big laughs from the audience.
Delving right back to her material, Glaser addressed the films nominated, saying, "Tonight, we celebrate the best of film and hold space for television.” She humorously highlighted some of the nominated films with playful banter. For example, she said, "‘Wicked,’ ‘Queer,’ ‘Nightbitch’… these are not just words Ben Affleck yells after he orgasms, these are some of the incredible movies nominated tonight.” The audience, equally entertained and shocked, reveled at the boldness of her approach.
Her first major target was the disgraced hip-hop mogul Diddy. Addressing Zendaya, one of the stars of 'Challengers', she noted, "That movie was more sexually charged than Diddy’s credit card!" A nod to the myriad of legal troubles facing Combs, who is presently embroiled in sex trafficking allegations.
Glaser didn’t shy away from making comparisons linked to Diddy. "I’m upset too. The after-party isn’t gonna be as good this year!" she added, driving home the impact of Diddy’s recent arrest on the vibe of the typically extravagant post-awards celebrations.
Throughout her monologue, Glaser continued to be raw and raunchy. She turned to the audience to tease fellow attendees, remarking to Stanley Tucci, whom she referenced with her own spin on Diddy's shenanigans, saying, "‘Stanley Tucci freak-off’ doesn’t have the same ring to it,” followed by, "No baby oil this year, just lots of olive oil," referencing Tucci’s culinary endeavors.
Another instant of comedic delight featured her joke aimed at Glen Powell. "You’re everywhere this year! ’Twisters,’ ‘Hit Man,’ my head when I’m having sex with my boyfriend,” she quipped, drawing laughter from the audience.
Timothée Chalamet wasn't spared either; Glaser ribbed him about his famous mustache: "You have the most gorgeous eyelashes on your upper lip, this is such a good look." Acknowledging Chalamet’s nomination for his role as Bob Dylan, Glaser ensured her jests did not miss their targets.
After hitting the hot topics, she smoothly transitioned to discuss the lackluster reception of another high-profile film, "Joker 2," saying, "I’m sorry, ‘Joker 2.’ Where is their table? Oh, that's right, they’re not here"—a witty commentary on the film's absence from the nominations.
Glaser concluded her strong performance, adeptly blending humor with pointed commentary on Hollywood’s illustrious yet often scandal-ridden culture. Her references, such as to Nicole Kidman’s prolific acting year to escape her husband strumming his guitar, added another layer to her craft.
Overall, the 2025 Golden Globes, broadcast on CBS and Paramount+, not only celebrated film and television but was also marked by Glaser's audacious debut and her willingness to tackle sensitive topics with humor. It demonstrated the blending of comedy with current events findings their way onto the awards stage, capturing the audience's attention for both laughter and reflection on the industry.