Host Nikki Glaser Is ‘Not Out for Blood’ at the Golden Globes. But These Stars, Movies and Shows Are Fair Game (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Nikki Glaser hosts the 2025 Golden Globes.Photo:Art Streiber/CBS

Art Streiber/CBS

And though it was herepic evisceration of NFL legend Tom Bradyon his May Netflix special that helped the St. Louis-raised comedian land her highest-profile gig — host of the 2025 Golden Globes — Glaser, 40, has a message for Hollywood: “I’m not out for blood. I want everyone to have a good night.”

“I am really in service of the people that are being honored there,” she continues to PEOPLE.

That’s no joke. But — and of course there’s a but — Glaser still plans to be edgy with the A-listers at what she calls “a glamorous event where people are taking themselves too seriously.”

Nikki Glaser on July 11.Getty Images for W+P

Getty Images for W+P

She just wants to make sure they’re comfortable with her off-color humor. “It’s walking a line,” says Glaser, who also hosts the CW’s dating seriesFBoy Islandand competed onDancing with the Starsin 2018.

“I wantCynthia ErivoorAriana GrandeorNicole Kidmanto feel safe in my hands,” she adds.

Glaser has already been hard at work brainstorming topics — and people — that are ripe for ribbing. “Joker 2didn’t get any nominations. Not that anyone thought it would. But it was such a cultural moment of us being disappointed [in the film],” she notes.

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande on the ‘Wicked’ press tour Nov. 14.Bruce Glikas/WireImage

Bruce Glikas/WireImage

“Wickedand the press tour, and grabbing the finger — that is all up for grabs as well. And the fact that Ariana and Cynthia are in on the joke now, has made it a lot more accessible. That is up for grabs. At the same time you’re like, ‘Is that going to be funny in a month?’”

Also fair game: “Emilia Pérez being the most nominated thing. No one’s ever heard of it!” Glaser says of the musical drama starringKarla Sofía Gascón,Zoe SaldañaandSelena Gomez.

She also finds herself with a challenge. “What’s a fresh way to make fun of the fact thatThe Bearis nominated as a comedy and yet maybe shouldn’t be?” she ponders.

There might be a few members of Hollywood royalty who are off-limits. “There’s Meryl Streep, but Meryl Streep seems to have a good sense of humor based on other award shows I’ve watched. I’ve been studying who has good reaction shots [to jokes],” she says.

And while fans of her roast appearances might expect Glaser to follow in the footsteps ofpast Golden Globes host Ricky Gervais and really rip into stars, the comic says she’s not ready to do that. Yet.

Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix in ‘Joker: Folie À Deux.'.Warner Bros. Pictures/YouTube

Warner Bros. Pictures/YouTube

“Ricky Gervais earned the ability to get up there and say, ‘I don’t care. I’m going to tell you how I feel,’ because that was his last time hosting [in 2020],” she says.

“He didn’t want the gig again. He was down to burn bridges,” says Glaser. “I would like this gig again. So I look forward to really taking off the gloves when I’m ready to go, but right now I have to kind of earn this job.”

The Golden Globes air live on Sunday, Jan. 5, at 8 p.m. ET on CBS and Paramount+.

source: people.com