Awards season is here and the 2026 Golden Globes tried their best to bring the party.
As Hollywood’s biggest movie and TV stars attended the Beverly Hilton on Sunday, January 11, host Nikki Glaser made it clear during her opening monologue that the three-hour telecast was going to be a night to remember.
“Yes, the Golden Globes — without a doubt the most important thing that’s happening in the world right now,” she joked at the top of the show. “Tonight, we are celebrating the best of both TV and film right here, in the heart of Los Angeles, where no TV or film has been made for the past six years.”
While Glaser teased a variety of stars – everyone from Leonardo DiCaprio to Kevin Hart received an LOL-worthy joke — the comedian also poked fun at herself.
Golden Globe Awards 2026 Red Carpet: All the High-Fashion Looks
“I’m Nikki Glaser, and just like Wicked, I’m back for a sequel. Just like Frankenstein, I’ve been pieced together by an unlicensed European surgeon,” she said. “Tonight, I just want to tell you I’m making jokes up here but it is an absolute privilege to be in this room with you all. Yes, I am your host, but I am honestly such a massive fan.”
In case you missed the big show, Us Weekly is breaking down the best and worst moments of the night below:
Best Monologue Joke: Nikki Glaser on Leonardo DiCaprio
While many celebrities were put in the hot seat during Nikki Glaser’s opening monologue, Leonardo DiCaprio was a real MVP when the comedian poked fun at his dating life.
“Leonardo DiCaprio is here for One Man Bun After Another,” Glaser said, referring to DiCaprio’s nominated movie One Battle After Another. “How good was Leo in One Battle After Another? It’s insane, so good. What a career you’ve had, countless iconic performances. You’ve worked with every great director. You’ve won three Golden Globes, an Oscar — most important thing is you were able to accomplish all of that before your girlfriend turned 30. I mean, it’s just insane.”
Soon after, the comedian apologized for the joke but claimed there’s nothing else she could find about him online. Fortunately, she found an “in-depth interview” he gave to Teen Beat magazine in 1991.
“Is your favorite food still pasta, pasta and more pasta,” she asked, before DiCaprio laughed and gave her a playful thumbs up.
Best Acceptance Speech Dedication: Noah Wyle
After winning Best Actor in a Television Series – Drama for his role of Dr. Robby in The Pitt, Noah Wyle was quick to express gratitude for the people outside of Hollywood who made him the award-winning actor he is today.
“I have been very blessed in my life. I was raised in a family that put a high priority on art and on curiosity and on service,” he shared with the audience. “I have benefited from incredible teachers and I have received some incredible advice from some very good friends, and I have been supported by an incredible wife and three great children all along the way. I’m so grateful for this. And to all the health care workers in the world, thank you.”
Best Tearful Acceptance Speech: Teyana Taylor
When accepting the award for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture, thanks to her role in One Battle After Another, Teyana Taylor couldn’t hold back tears in her emotional speech.
“My babies are upstairs watching. Y’all better be off them damn phones and watching me right now!” Taylor — who shares daughters Junie, 10, and Rue, 5, with ex-husband Iman Shumpert — said. “In the name of Jesus, thank you for every part of this — every lesson, every test, every blessing. Thank you to the Golden Globe voters for seeing me and reminding me that purpose always finds its moment. To my tribe, my grounding force, my joy and my daily reminder that love is an action, not just the word, and everything I do is rooted in that truth.”
Best Date Night Couples: Kylie Jenner and Timothee Chalamet
While awards shows always lead to must-see fashion and unpredictable acceptance speeches, they also lead to some rare public sightings of Hollywood’s biggest couples.
Although Timothée Chalamet walked the red carpet solo, he was able to reunite with his girlfriend inside. And yes, Kylie Jenner was in her seat when Chalamet won Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy for his performance in Marty Supreme.
Other couples spotted enjoying date night included Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher, Julia Roberts and Danny Moder and Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco.
Hottest Couples at the 2026 Golden Globes: Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco, More
Best Attendee: Amy Poehler
Leave it to one of the Best Podcast nominees (and eventual winner) to bring the party inside the 2026 Golden Globes. During her acceptance speech, Amy Poehler reminded everyone that the awards aren’t that serious.
“This is exactly how I pictured it, Snoop [Dogg] giving me the award,” she joked. “Wow, I don’t know about awards shows, but when they get it right, it makes sense.”
Later on in the show, Poehler helped host Nikki Glaser find Jeremy Strong’s missing sunglasses and bucket hat from the year before in a live bit.
An honorable mention goes to attendee Queen Latifah, who managed to get two shoutouts from Rhea Seehorn and Stephen Graham’s individual acceptance speeches.
Worst Hosting Bit: Nikki Glaser’s Performance of ‘Golden’
While Nikki Glaser’s opening monologue deserves a standing ovation, her attempt to go viral with a unique performance of “Golden” from KPop Demon Hunters resulted in mixed reactions.
As she got to the chorus, Glaser was (luckily?) interrupted on stage by Fran Drescher.
“For the love of God, stop!” the Marty Supreme star said. “You know I love you, but you have to stop singing. Your voice is so annoying! Don’t tell me you were going to sing in Korean, too?”
Worst Intro for Presenters: UFC Stars for ‘Heated Rivalry’ Cast
Moments before presenters Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams made their first appearance at an awards show since they shot to fame overnight with Heated Rivalry, producers decided to add some extra “security” for the duo by bringing out two UFC players.
As one viewer asked via X, “Can someone please explain to me why they brought out those two random UFC ppl for two boys who star in a gay hockey show?? lmfao #goldenglobes.”
Worst Show Element: Long Acceptance Speeches
While actors and actresses deserve their moment to speak when they win a major award, many of Us wished they remembered it’s only a three-hour show.
Instead of acceptance speeches that dragged on for too long, we wish we could hear more of the unpredictable music that played throughout the show.
“Why they playing club music at the #GoldenGlobes,” one user wrote via X when someone accepted their award to Usher’s “Yeah.” Another viewer added, “Whoever doing the background music for this years #GoldenGlobes is definitely a millennial lol.”
See the Best Golden Globes Selfies Throughout the Show’s History
Worst Use of Timing: The Golden Globes Commentators
While Marc Malkin and Kevin Frazier deserve plenty of credit for their immense knowledge on the winners and for helping provide entertaining transitions to commercial breaks, some of Us found it hard to keep up with all their fun facts, seconds before the winners started speaking into their microphones.
“I’m sorry but these two presenters commenting on people going up to collect their awards are LOWERING THE TONE #GoldenGlobes,” one user wrote via X. Another viewer, however, expressed excitement by writing, “Not gonna lie, this is what we’ve been asking for years! More of a sports commentary at an acting awards show!!! Kinda genius! #GoldenGlobes.”
------------------------------------
By: Mike Vulpo
Title: Best and Worst of the 2026 Golden Globes: Nikki Glaser’s OMG Jokes and More
Sourced From: www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/best-and-worst-of-the-2026-golden-globes-nikki-glaser-and-more/
Published Date: Mon, 12 Jan 2026 04:33:03 +0000
