> At a Glance
> – Nikki Glaser says crowds reject any Julia Roberts jokes in her test sets
> – America’s Sweetheart status makes Roberts off-limits for harsh roasts
> – A-list nominees like Leonardo DiCaprio and Sean Penn require “covert” humor
> – Why it matters: Viewers want stars teased, but not trashed-testing how far hosts can push
Nikki Glaser is fine-tuning her 2026 Golden Globes monologue to avoid bruising Julia Roberts, telling CBS Mornings that even mild gags about the actress bomb with audiences.
The Julia Roberts Rule
While work-shopping material at L.A. clubs, Glaser found that “any joke about Julia Roberts” triggers boos. She now calls Roberts “the most delicate” target and is redrafting those bits to stay crowd-pleasing.
- Test crowds booed Roberts references
- Glaser labels her “America’s Sweetheart”
- Expects the joke to be her most-polished line of the night
A-List Strategy Shift
Returning for her second Globes stint on January 11, Glaser says she’s ditching last year’s ask-permission approach for “covert” jabs aimed at veterans she idolized growing up.
> “I’m a huge fan of these people… It’s a different approach this year.”
> – Nikki Glaser
She won’t text Leonardo DiCaprio for a green-light because, she jokes, “I don’t even know if Leo has a phone,” and would rather “ask for forgiveness later at the afterparty.”
| 2025 Tactic | 2026 Tactic |
|---|---|
| Pre-clear jokes via text | Ask forgiveness in person |
| Target younger stars | Covert swipes at A-listers |
| Direct roasts | “Delicate” humor |
What Viewers Want
Glaser balances two demands: keep the room laughing while sparing icons like Roberts, DiCaprio and Sean Penn a ruined night. She notes that TV audiences still “want you to make fun of the A-listers”-just not hard enough to sour the party.
Key Takeaways
- Roberts jokes flop in previews, forcing rewrites
- Glaser favors stealth zingers over blunt roasts for 2026
- Expect sharper material for younger celebrities
- She’ll gauge backlash over drinks instead of pre-show texts
The comedian, who called the 2025 gig the “greatest job” she’s had, now faces the high-wire act of teasing Tinseltown royalty without toppling them.
