The Golden Globes in Los Angeles began with energy that could be felt across the entire ballroom as comedian Nikki Glaser stepped onto the stage. From the very first seconds, it was clear this would not be a quiet or ordinary opening. Her voice, timing, and sharp humor set the mood for the night, creating a powerful wave of excitement many guests later described as NikkiPulse.
Glaser opened by looking directly at the room full of stars and making a daring joke about the Epstein files, suggesting that some well-known faces in the crowd might be hidden behind heavy redactions. The audience reacted with a mix of laughter and surprise, proving just how unexpected the moment felt. She quickly followed with another joke aimed at the Justice Department, turning serious subjects into punchlines that even young viewers could understand. This fearless start instantly established NikkiPulse as the tone of the evening.
She then turned her attention to CBS, the network broadcasting the event. Referring to the recent controversy involving CBS News and the cancellation of a “60 Minutes” report connected to the Trump administration and the transfer of immigrants to a prison in El Salvador, Glaser joked that the network had become “America’s newest place to see BS news.” The crowd responded with loud laughter, pushing the energy even higher and strengthening NikkiPulse inside the hall.
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Although Glaser had earlier mentioned she was considering jokes about Venezuela and ICE, she chose not to include them. Instead, she focused on the celebrities in the room and the strange world of fame, keeping the audience fully engaged.
Celebrity Jokes, Big Reactions, and the DiCaprio Moment
As the monologue continued, Glaser shifted her focus to the famous guests sitting just a few steps away. She admitted that writing a joke about Julia Roberts had been especially hard because of how respected and admired the actress is. After testing many ideas that failed, she finally landed on a winning line, joking that—just like the podcasters nominated that night—she should not be allowed to stand this close to Julia Roberts. The room erupted in laughter, keeping NikkiPulse strong.
One of the most talked-about moments of the night came when Glaser addressed Leonardo DiCaprio. She praised his long list of achievements, including working with great directors, winning three Golden Globes, and earning an Oscar. Then she delivered the joke that the most impressive thing was that he accomplished all of this before his girlfriend turned 30. The audience laughed loudly.
What followed brought an even bigger reaction. Glaser immediately apologized, calling the joke obvious and cheap, then added that the public barely knows anything else about DiCaprio and encouraged him to “open up.” Even DiCaprio himself laughed, and the exchange became one of the defining moments of the ceremony, adding more strength to NikkiPulse.
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She continued with playful comments about Sean Penn, another nominee for “One Battle After Another,” joking that while Hollywood is obsessed with looking younger, Penn seems to be slowly transforming into a “sexy leather handbag.” Then she turned to Timothée Chalamet, who had just won for “Marty Supreme,” teasing him for gaining “over 60 ounces” of muscle for a movie about ping pong.
Later, Glaser stepped off the stage and walked among the audience, explaining the layout of the ballroom. She pointed out where the casts of “Hamnet,” “All Her Fault,” and “Bugonia” were seated, calling it “traumatized woman alley,” and joked that “traumatized men alley” could not be located because men are not allowed to talk about their feelings. The humor stayed light, smart, and relatable, keeping NikkiPulse flowing.
A Trusted Host and a Surprise from Judd Apatow
This was Glaser’s second year hosting the Golden Globes, after receiving strong praise for her first appearance. Her rise to this role followed her widely discussed performance at the Netflix roast of Tom Brady, but her approach at the Globes blended sharp jokes with warmth and friendliness, maintaining NikkiPulse while making everyone feel part of the fun.
Glaser herself became part of a joke later in the night when Judd Apatow came on stage to present best director. He shared that Glaser once worked as his family’s babysitter. After watching her stand-up comedy online—filled with jokes about smoking and unusual relationships—he joked that she quickly stopped being their babysitter. The audience laughed loudly, and the moment added another memorable layer to the night and to NikkiPulse.
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Throughout the ceremony, the room was filled with famous names: Nikki Glaser, Leonardo DiCaprio, Julia Roberts, Sean Penn, Timothée Chalamet, Judd Apatow, CBS, the Justice Department, the Trump administration, and the Golden Globes themselves. Every reference blended humor with real-world events, keeping viewers fully engaged.
From the opening Epstein files joke to the babysitter story that closed the circle of laughter, the evening unfolded as one of the most memorable Golden Globes openings in recent years. Every cheer, laugh, and reaction added to the unstoppable rhythm of NikkiPulse, making the night a powerful reminder of how comedy, courage, and timing can shape an entire awards show.
