Nikki Glaser on New Standup Special, Roasting Tom Brady and How Comedy Helped her Survive

Summary

Sunday Sitdown with Willie Geist

Guest: Nikki Glaser
Episode: Nikki Glaser on New Standup Special, Roasting Tom Brady and How Comedy Helped Her Survive
Air Date: May 3, 2026

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Episode Overview

Willie Geist sits down with comedian Nikki Glaser at the Olive Tree Cafe in New York City to discuss her career-defining year, her new standup special "Good Girl," her now-legendary performance roasting Tom Brady, and how comedy genuinely saved her life. Glaser and Geist dive deep into the work behind her “overnight” success, her upbringing, the emotional backbone of her comedy, her experiences at the Comedy Cellar, and the vulnerability that runs beneath her bold humor.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Vulnerability Behind "Good Girl"

[04:12–08:57]

• Nikki describes the emotional experience of releasing her latest special, "Good Girl," on Hulu, in her hometown St. Louis with her parents in the front row:
  • “If it were up to me, I feel like standup would never be recorded for people to consume because I just feel like it's something that I develop in these rooms where it’s... intimate. I’m saying things I don’t want to leave this room.” (Nikki Glaser, [04:32])
• She details the meticulous process of developing a special: endless editing, punch-ups, running order tweaks, and feedback from friends.
• Talks about the pain of “retiring” material once it’s filmed: “There's one line that I've written since the special that is, like, my favorite... and I'll never do it right.” (Nikki, [07:25])

2. Imposter Syndrome & Relentless Drive

[08:19–11:02]

• Nikki openly shares that, despite her accomplishments, she’s still haunted by imposter syndrome:
  • “Do I feel like I've tricked everyone?... Yes… I struggle with the imposter syndrome thing.” (Nikki, [09:15])
• She credits this insecurity as the engine for her relentless work ethic:
  • “I'm doing this because I'm feeling not enough. That is what drives me. I don't feel good enough... If I got to a place where I really believed in myself, I probably would retire.” (Nikki, [08:32])
• Discusses the artist’s constant fear of career decline.

3. The Journey: Finding & Honing Her Voice

[11:02–18:58]

• Nikki reflects on the long road to her current high profile—two decades of standup, small clubs, and gradual breaks, countering perceptions of overnight success.
• The importance of her supportive parents, Julie and E.J., who funded and encouraged her during lean years:
  • “They are the reason that I was ever able to do any of this.” (Nikki, [15:24])
• Looked up to St. Louis icons and found inspiration in quirky, smart, and “weird” role models like Conan O'Brien.
• Credits her parents for exposing her to the right comedic influences at a young age: “Being a Conan O’Brien fan has changed my life. And my dad knew that this was something I was gonna like.” (Nikki, [17:47])

4. How Comedy Saved Her Life

[23:23–27:17]

• Nikki recounts how she discovered standup in college during a period of personal crisis, coping with an eating disorder and depression:
  • “I was kind of in the throes of a crazy eating disorder… My whole dream was to be on TV and perform… And then I went to school, and... I just became a lot funnier than I had ever been before.” (Nikki, [23:29–24:44])
  • Her very first set—her dad listened by phone from the Midwest, and she immediately knew she’d found her purpose.
  • “It really saved my life. It just gave me something to live for, and I became obsessed.” (Nikki, [25:23])
• Comedy became a tool not just for career, but for recovery and survival.

5. Earning Her Place at the Comedy Cellar

[28:42–33:09]

• The moment she was “passed” at the Comedy Cellar was a turning point:
  • “There's no denying that if you work here, you're a standup... you have the respect of all your peers.” (Nikki, [29:41])
• Despite her status, she still feels a bit starstruck and intimidated by the legendary comedians who frequent the club’s iconic corner booth.
  • “Maybe I'll get summoned over… and say hi. But… I'm always in this booth just kind of watching.” (Nikki, [32:44])
• Emphasizes the “family” feeling among professional comics.

6. The Art & Ethics of Roasting

[33:11–38:13]

• Nikki details her approach to roasting at events like the Tom Brady roast:
  • Research, empathy, and finding respect before “dismantling” someone.
  • “I try to get to that place of love. So it starts with a lot of research, and then I just watch Roast constantly, just to get in the mindset…” (Nikki, [33:47])
• Admits that she often pulls back, refusing to go “too far” if it might do real harm:
  • “I've left some of my best work on the cutting room floor, because I just didn't want to hurt someone's feelings.” (Nikki, [37:27])
• Recalls moments where audience members’ reactions could shape the public’s perception of a performance.

7. Golden Globes & Building Trust on Stage

[40:27–45:37]

• When first hosting the Golden Globes, Nikki carefully built trust with the room before going in for sharper jokes:
  • “I set up the set to build in intensity so that I would ease them into, like, okay, she's gonna take care of us… save maybe some more harsher jokes for the end.” (Nikki, [40:49])
• She sent handwritten notes and flowers to the celebrities she targeted (“It wasn't even about like sucking up… It means so much to me. So I just wanted to thank them for being cool.” [43:27])
• Leo DiCaprio's response: sending her “three baskets of pasta, pasta and more pasta,” referencing her bit (Nikki, [44:27])

8. Transition to Acting and Other Ambitions

[48:06–54:47]

• Talks about being cast as a lead in "The Fifth Wheel" with Kim Kardashian, despite little evidence of her acting abilities:

  • “I got a lead role… There’s really no evidence of my acting out there… But this is what happens when you get famous. People just give you things that you’ve been… struggling for.” (Nikki, [48:22])

• She found acting fun and relished the collaboration—missed the instant feedback of standup.

• Other dreams: possibly “Survivor” and a cameo in a Taylor Swift video (manifesting, not pushing for it!):

  • “If I’m putting one [goal] out there, I would like to be in a Taylor Swift music video someday.” (Nikki, [53:05])

9. Family Support & Reflections from Nikki’s Parents

[62:55–67:22]

• Willie chats with Julie and E.J. Glaser, who describe unwavering support, faith in their daughter’s work ethic and honesty:
  • “It was an escape when she decided to go away to college and she called back when she was having troubles. It was like, oh, thank God we got something.” (Julie, [63:19])
• Her father recalls teacher encouragement: “You have great comedic timing,” which sparked her journey ([64:48]).
• Both parents describe themselves as “Teflon” now, unbothered by any outrageous material.
  • “Her honesty is what always gets me. I would never be that honest in front of a crowd about so dark, deep thoughts.” (E.J., [66:10])

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On never feeling “arrived”:

  • “If I got to a place where I really believed in myself, I probably would just retire. So I'm glad that I don't feel that way. Cause I do love the work.” – Nikki Glaser ([08:32])

• On getting into comedy:

  • "I just became a lot funnier… just so I could make friends and make people forget about what they were looking at. And it worked." – Nikki Glaser ([24:44])

• On the pressure of live tapings:

  • "The crowds at specials are always the worst. Like, it's such a shame that that's how standup comedy is mostly seen by people...there's just a tension in the room." – Nikki Glaser ([62:17])

• On the roast:

  • “I have the instincts to be as mean as that normally, but I can’t, because that would be mean. But this is—I love when being mean’s the job.” – Nikki Glaser ([34:41])

• After sending Golden Globes jokes at celebrities:

  • "I just wanted to thank them for being cool...when celebrities can laugh at themselves, we like them more." – Nikki Glaser ([43:27])

• On Taylor Swift goal:

  • "If I'm putting one out there, I would like to be in a Taylor Swift music video someday. I'm just, like, the biggest Swiftie..." – Nikki Glaser ([53:05])

• On family support:

  • "We just believed in her, because she was like, this is what I want...It was an escape when she decided to go away to college and she called back when she was having troubles. It was like, oh, thank God we got something." – Julie Glaser ([63:19])

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Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment | Timestamps | |-----------------------------------------------------------|--------------| | The vulnerability & process behind "Good Girl" | 04:12–08:57 | | Imposter syndrome & drive | 08:19–11:02 | | Early career, family support, and finding standup | 11:02–18:58 | | Comedy as a lifesaver & eating disorder recovery | 23:23–27:17 | | Making it at the Comedy Cellar | 28:42–33:09 | | The art & responsibility of roasting | 33:11–38:13 | | Golden Globes hosting & building trust | 40:27–45:37 | | Acting projects & future ambitions | 48:06–54:47 | | Family reflections and support | 62:55–67:22 |

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The Episode’s Tone & Style

Glaser is disarmingly honest, quick to self-deprecate, and always ready with a joke, but the conversation never shies away from deeper themes—vulnerability, insecurity, family, and the cost of creative ambition. Willie Geist steers the chat with warmth and humor, letting Nikki's wit and candor shine and providing valuable context for every phase of her journey.

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For Listeners New to Nikki Glaser

• Nikki Glaser's "overnight" success is the product of twenty years of obsessive work and resilience.
• Her comedy is defined by honesty, joke density, and a willingness to be emotionally naked onstage—even in front of her parents.
• The support of family, smart mentor choices, and learning to accept some fear are recurring themes.
• Whether roasting athletes or Hollywood icons or tackling her vulnerabilities in standup, Glaser's comedy is ultimately about connection and survival, not just laughs.

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End of Summary

Transcript

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[Willie Geist]

Hey guys, Willie Geist here with another episode of the Sunday Sit down podcast. My thanks as always for clicking and listening along. I am so excited to bring you my conversation this week with, for my money, one of the funniest people working right now, Nikki Glaser. Of course, in the last couple of years the world has come to know her as the hilarious host of the Golden Globes working that star studded room. And for that performance now legendary on the Roast of Tom Brady on Netflix where for about nine minutes she just eviscerated the greatest quarterback of all time. But it's been a long road to this starring moment for Nikki. She's been at this standup thing for 22 years. She first tried an open mic night while she was in college. She was going through a lot in her life personally at that time, hear her get into that. And she tried comedy kind of as a lark and boy, she fell in love with it right away, called her dad backstage and said this is what I'm going to do with my life. But it's been a build small stand up clubs, Comedy Central roast, all that getting her to where she is now. Time 100. She just landed one of the 100 most influential people in the world. She when we got together for this conversation the night before, she had been there among all those stars as well, roasting them in the process on stage. But it's just one of those things where people look up and say, wow, overnight success. She did the Globes. She did the Tom Brady roast and look at her now. But she's been building to this for a long time and it's well deserved. So she and I got together at a place called the Olive Tree Cafe. Olive Tree Cafe is in New York's Greenwich Village downtown. And it sits above the Comedy Cellar, which is what it appears. There's a staircase that goes down into the cellar of a building. And in this tight little room is where everybody who's anybody in come has started, who's waited in line to go on as a 20 something comic at 2 o' clock in the morning. Or if you're a big comic like

Nikki Glaser, now you go in and

hone your material there because you trust the audience and you trust the room. So after you do your set downstairs at the Cellar, you come upstairs to the Olive Tree Cafe. You sit, you talk about your set, you meet with other comedians. There's one corner booth you'll hear. Nikki says she's still intimidated to go

sit at because that's where the big

stars really all sit. So picture the two of us sitting Olive Tree Cafe, right below our feet. Downstairs in the big basement is the famed comedy seller. Also something you should know. Her wonderful, wonderful parents, Julie and E.J. are sitting just off camera. She brings her parents everywhere and they were there and they couldn't have been nicer.

We'll talk to them a little bit later. You'll hear that as well.

I should point out that her parents were on the front row of her latest comedy special, which, my goodness, if you haven't seen it yet, please watch it. Nikki Glazer, good girl on Hulu. And then imagine her parents, her sweet

parents sitting on the front row of that performance.

All right, I'll get out of the way now. You sit back, relax, and listen to Nikki Glaser right now on the Sunday Sit down podcast.

Hi, Nikki.

[Nikki Glaser]

Hi, Willie.

[Willie Geist]

Thanks for doing this.

[Nikki Glaser]

Thank you for doing this.

[Willie Geist]

I'm so happy to see you, especially at this, this moment. Like just hours ago. Good girl. Your new special went out to the world.

[Nikki Glaser]

Yeah.

[Willie Geist]

What does that feel like? Cause I know you've worked on it for two years.

[Nikki Glaser]

Yeah.

[Willie Geist]

You know, a hundred or something more shows, just trying to get it right and now everyone gets to see it.

[Nikki Glaser]

It's. If it were up to me, I feel like stand up would never be recorded for people to consume because I just feel like it's something that I develop in these rooms where it's like, feels intimate. It feels like we're just friends sharing Almost like inside jokes. And I'm saying things that I don't want to leave. I don't want this to leave this room. So it's. I don't even think about when I'm developing the material that people are going to see this. Like, be able to stream it and comment on it and analyze it. And so it's always. It's always kind of hard for me to put it out. Cause I'm like, oh, I maybe should have thought a little bit more about not saying so much. But I really have no choice. Cause that's what the act becomes when you're on the road and you feel that free. And so it's vulnerable.

[Willie Geist]

It's too late to say, I shouldn't have said that much. It's out there. And you said a lot.

[Nikki Glaser]

I really did. And I don't even wanna think about what I said, to be honest with you. It's just like, out there, it's none of my business now. And I just. It haunt me the rest of my life, I'm sure, with people quoting it back to me. But, yeah, you know, it was just a. It's a snapshot of, like, what I was feeling for those two years and what I was thinking. And will I stand by it in a couple years? I don't know. But this is where I'm at now.

[Willie Geist]

I don't think people truly appreciate what goes into these. Cause they think, oh, she's so funny. She got up there on the stage in St. Louis, home crowd and just did her thing. But, like, the work and like, you sweat every word.

I know you do.

And every beat in a joke. A pause before you say the next thing.

[Nikki Glaser]

Yes.

[Willie Geist]

Can you just describe a little bit for people? You don't get it. Like, what goes into that one hour?

[Nikki Glaser]

I mean, you know, it starts out just going on the road and just feeling it out. And, I mean, it's a little bit freer when you're just developing material and audiences really like it. To go on that journey with you of, like, oh, well, that didn't work. And I'm gonna try this new thing. And you're writing constantly on the road. And then you get to the point, you know, six months out from a special, and you're like, okay, now I have to focus. And now I have to say it in a specific order and figure out how this. There's like a narrative and you have to. I think about specials now differently, as. Not just like, here's all my jokes, but what am I trying to say? What is this saying about me and my life right now? And how do I make a piece of art? I don't think I ever approached it really that way before. I want these to be standalone of, like, a snapshot of my career in this moment. So it's really about being meticulous about, you know, just. I'm just someone who loves a lot of jokes. I like watching 30 Rock. I like watching Veep. I like watching shows where it's like, if you sneeze, you miss a line. Like, I like being stressed out that I might miss something. So I try to just. I like joke density. So it's. It's. You know, it probably aggravates everyone that works with me where I'm just like. I just feel like this isn't funny. And they're like, it is. Just let it. Let it go. You don't have to tag everything. But I just. I want the jokes to keep going. I just. I don't ever want to look back and say, oh, my gosh, I missed that one line that could have been funnier. Like, there's one line that I've written since the special that goes into one of the jokes that is, like, my favorite line of the joke now. And I'll never do it right. It'll never see the light of day because I can't do these jokes anymore on the road because they're out there. And so there's, like, heartbreaking moments like that. So I just always try ahead of a special to just counteract any kind of regret I might have afterwards, which is impossible because there's always gonna be something. But I'm crazy leading up to a special. Like, it's all. I'm thinking about, writing it all out, toiling over notes, having my friends watch it and give their notes on it. Yeah. And it's just. I just feel like, you know, I'm at this level now where I could probably coast a little bit and good would be good enough. And I've seen people do that before, and it works out for them, but I just. I don't feel. I never feel like I've arrived. You know, I feel like I'm always just still having to prove myself, and I don't want to lose that kind of drive.

[Willie Geist]

But don't you think that's the edge that keeps you where you are? Because I think a lot of people. You're right. They get to a certain point, they're like, I did it. I think I feel this way, too. That just doesn't exist. You have to keep going, because that's the thing that got you there.

[Nikki Glaser]

Yeah. I would really stop if I felt like I got to a place in my career where it was enough. I wouldn't do this anymore. I'm doing this because I'm feeling not enough. That is what drives me. I don't feel good enough. I don't feel talented enough. I don't feel accepted. I don't feel like people see me or understand me. And if I got to a place where I really believed in myself, I really would probably just retire. So I'm glad that I don't feel that way. Cause I do love the work.

[Willie Geist]

Is that still true? Honestly, the fact that you're gonna. This special's gonna be a hit. You just came last night from doing the time 100. You're on the COVID of Time magazine. You've done the Globes twice. You were the star of the Roast of Tom Brady. I could go on and on and on. You're in this movie that's coming up. You really still feel like you haven't made it in some way?

[Nikki Glaser]

Well, I feel like I've made it because it's like the evidence is there that that's all things that's happened to someone who's made it. But do I. Do I feel like I've tricked everyone to get all those things? Yes. Do I feel like I've done something deceptive or that maybe some of my success I can attribute to something other than just talent or hard work or, you know, or that I'm lucky. And in many ways, I am. And there's something to be said for that. But I just think, yeah, I struggle with the imposter syndrome thing. I'm constantly watching YouTube videos on it, to how to overcome it. But then the more I think about it, I'm like, I don't want to overcome it. It is what drives me. I don't really like artists that, like, think so highly of themselves. I'm not drawn to that. And I want to be the kind of artist that I guess I would be drawn to, which is someone who's secure in their insecurities and a little

[Willie Geist]

fear that it's all going to go away tomorrow.

[Nikki Glaser]

Yeah.

[Willie Geist]

I like to live that way a little bit, too.

[Julie (Nikki's Mom)]

Yeah.

[Willie Geist]

Because you let your guard down.

It's going away because it can.

[Nikki Glaser]

People say to me all the time, no, it won't. It's never going to go away. And I go, name one person who's hugely famous that hasn't had a little Bit of a drop off. Because even a little bit feels like something when you've been on the top, you know, like it will happen eventually. You know, your star fades and you have to reinvent and you have to go away for a little bit. Cause people get kind of sick of you even doing all of this press right now for my special, I'm like, I'm gonna have to pull away. Cause the tide can very quickly turn from we love her. Oh my God, I can't wait to see her in this. To like. Enough. It's happened to me with people, you know, it just. So I'm aware of that and I know that other shoe can drop and I'm terrified of it. But. But at the same time, it's like death, another thing I'm terrified of. It is inevitable there will be a death of this career. And it probably will be in line, I think, with my own death, because I don't think I'll ever stop.

[Willie Geist]

Right.

[Nikki Glaser]

But yeah, it's. I think it's imminent.

[Willie Geist]

Well, you're just listening to this is the work ethic that got you where you are. But it's a long road. People are like, oh yeah, I saw her on the Roast of Tom Brady. She's new, she's awesome. And I'm like, dude, did you see the Roast of Rob Lowe and Alec Baldwin and all the others and the standup she's been doing? So when people come up to you and say, wow, you're amazing, because they just discovered you, does it feel like, man, you have no idea what it took to get to the Roast of Tom Brady.

[Nikki Glaser]

No, I don't mind it. You know, like, I feel like everyone kind of discovers me at their own. And some people are like, I've loved you since the beginning, since Tom Brady. You know, like, there are people that give themselves that credit of being an og. But, you know, I think I kind of like sometimes that people think like that I'm just naturally this good and that it hasn't been, you know, it hasn't been 22 years leading up to this moment. And that's another way that I think that I've tricked people sometimes is that I'm like, oh no, you need. You should know everything this. I tried so hard to get to this place. And it isn't just natural for me. In some ways it is. I have an affinity for performing and being funny, but it's been a lot of work to do what I do. And sometimes I don't like to reveal all the work because I Want people to think, oh, she's just a natural. But like Taylor Swift said, I've never been a natural. All I do is try, try, try. Yeah.

[Willie Geist]

When you stand in that room last night at the time 100, and you were one of the people on the COVID of Time magazine, and then you were hosting, and you're. You're the person up there in that room, is that at least a moment where you can go, okay, I belong in this room? Or at least I've earned my way into this room. Cause that's a huge deal.

[Nikki Glaser]

It is a huge deal. I trust the people that have told me that I belong there, that I belong there. So I kind of go off of that feeling. I think internally I'm probably like, this is ridiculous. But I. But I also like that I can approach these things with, like, I can't believe I'm performing in front of Benicio Del Toro and Victoria Beckham and Kate Hudson, some scientist who is curing malaria. It's like, this is ridiculous. And almost like a make a wish moment of, like, these are my wildest dreams. So there's something that I like having that feeling of, like, you know, I remember being backstage last night and thinking, just, you're great. You deserve this. You're gonna kill it. You're ready. Like, trying to psych myself up and try to see myself the way other people see me. I try to do that. But do I believe it? I don't know. I do know that I'm a hard worker, and I do know that I deserve, based on the work that I've put in, to be where I am. So I will say that, like, I have put in the work, and I care a lot about making it good.

[Willie Geist]

Clearly.

[Nikki Glaser]

Yeah.

[Willie Geist]

Yeah. So the special takes place at the Fox Theater in your hometown of St. Louis. That had to be incredibly special to walk out there to a packed venue on this really important night for you and get the kind of reception you got there.

[Nikki Glaser]

Yeah. I mean, there's a part of me that I feel like, always was drawn to, wanting to be a performer and maybe be famous even back in high school, thinking, none of these people think I'm that special. I just didn't feel in high school that I had any talent. There was nothing I was exceptional at. And I was just dying to be seen and for, you know, to get attention. And so I think there's a part of me that was always like, I'm gonna show these people someday. Like, I'm gonna be someone. I had no idea how at that Time, But. And I think I lost hope at some point that there was gonna be something that would get me there. So there is a little moment of like, I made it look, you said I wouldn't, but the reception, you just. They're not like that there. They're not like, judging me based on high school. They're just. It was so warm. Everyone's just so excited that I'm from St. Louis, that I live there, that I represent the town, and they're really. You know, as a girl from St. Louis, I'm always proud of our celebrity, like our Jon Hamm, Sterling K. Brown, you know, like Jackie Joyner Kersey. And it's like, so to be on that list of St. Louisans that they can be proud of and be like, she's from here and she lives here. It feels really good. Nellie.

[Willie Geist]

Nellie.

[Nikki Glaser]

Yeah, Nellie.

[Willie Geist]

Gotta throw Nellie in there for.

[Nikki Glaser]

Put us on the map.

[Willie Geist]

Yeah. In that audience, in the front row, your parents who are also here.

[Nikki Glaser]

Yes. They're front row here tonight too.

[Willie Geist]

They are, yeah. Are they always front row at everything?

[Nikki Glaser]

Yeah, as much as I can bring them along, yes. They're just. They get such a kick out of everything that I do. They are so proud of me. They are the reason that I was ever able to do any of this. It's not even. There was never a moment where they said, consider some other, you know, avenue. Because it wasn't working for me for a really long time. I mean, I remember when I first started doing standup and it wasn't going great. There was little things here and there and I was really enjoying myself. But it was like, I was probably 24 and I was maybe, you know, I guess five years in at that point. And I just said to my parents, give me til I'm 27, please. Like, just support me till I'm 27. Like, I need a little cash here and there. I promise you can cut me off after that. And I was so grateful that they. They did support me until that. And it was on the eve of my 27th birthday that I got my first TV show. And they were. And I was. Was now going to be independently making my own money. So I really timed it perfectly. My dad always marvels at that. Like, how did you know? And I think I just. I never assumed that this was going to come easy, like any kind of big thing I got early on. I was on Last Comic Standing when I was 20. I got the Tonight show when I was 24. I remember thinking, this is too soon. I'm not ready for this.

[Willie Geist]

Oh, interesting.

[Nikki Glaser]

Like, I hope I don't break right now because I can't. I don't have. I don't have the chops yet. Cause stand up, you just. You kind of. You don't come out of the gate. Great. It is. So there's maybe one or two people I can even think of that were just great from the get go. Eddie Murphy and Chappelle are the ones that I'm like, oh, I think the first time they went on stage, they were just. Yeah, you just knew it. But it takes about 10 years to get good at stand up. So I knew. I was like, I'll do about nine years, I think. And I was right. Yeah. So. But they're just. They're my best friends and they're still so with it and so cool and so funny that, you know, as long as I have them here, I want them around me as much as possible. I learned from Kathy Griffin, like, when she would bring her mom on her show and hang out with her in old age, I was just like, I want their relationship. And I think I always kind of rolled my eyes at people that said, oh, my mom is my best friend. And I was just like, oh, you guys, just like, she gets wasted with you. Like, that's kind of always what I. And I kind of was like, oh, that's such a weird thing to say. And now I really get it. Like, my parents are like my best friends. I like, hang out with them more than anyone.

[Willie Geist]

That's so sweet.

[Nikki Glaser]

They're so fun. They're so hip. I don't have to censor myself at all.

[Willie Geist]

Oh, I noticed.

[Nikki Glaser]

Yeah. You know, yeah, yeah, I know this. They just get it. They're really hip and they've. And they are. They made my. They developed my sense of humor. They exposed me to the right things. Probably too early for some stuff, but, like, I remember coming home from school in ninth grade and my dad said, you have to watch this. And he put in a VHS tape. He had recorded Conan o', Brien's, like, fifth anniversary special the night before, and I had not even really been paying attention. And he just knew I would love it. And he was so spot on. I mean, being a Conan o' Brien fan has changed my life. And my dad knew that this was something I was gonna like. It wasn't for my sister. It wasn't for anyone. My mom. It was for me. And I just felt so seen. And that changed. Watching that special changed my life. I was just like, you can be so weird and so smart and so silly. But still, still, like, you can tell he's so smart. That's what I really was like, I love this.

[Willie Geist]

What a gift from dad.

[Nikki Glaser]

What a gift. And always like Seinfeld. We're, you know, huge Seinfeld house. Like, I just, I think, you know, the stuff you watch and consume growing up really shapes who you become. And I, I got just exposed to the coolest stuff. I'm so grateful.

[Willie Geist]

Hey, guys, thanks for listening to the

Sunday Sit down podcast. Stick around to hear more from Nikki Glaser right after the break.

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[Willie Geist]

Now more of my conversation with Nikki Glaser.

There's a moment in Good girl and I'm not going to give it away because it's almost like a twist in the narrative you're building. Yeah, but your parents are there in the front row.

We come to learn.

Yes, I think I know the answer to this question, but is there anything you won't say in front of your parents? Because on that stage it certainly appeared not.

[Nikki Glaser]

You know, on that night, on that Night. No. And I even told them, like, listen, usually when they come to my live shows, I will literally say into the microphone, hey, dad, you might want to go out to the merch booth and get a T shirt right now. For the next 15 minutes, I think you'll be safe. I give them a heads up. I didn't used to. I used to have no filter. I just didn't care. I couldn't even imagine putting that in my mind to hinder me as an artist. Like, it's up to them to want to come, and if they're signing up for it, they have to just take it. And then I think as I got older, I was like, oh. I could see it from their side. And I was like, this might be really tough for them. So I have more empathy now and I warn them. But for the special, I couldn't really tell them to leave because we were at a taping. So I was like, you're just going to sit through it? And I just had to disassociate and just. And they do, too. Like, I think they just have to. Hopefully they see me up in lights and they're not seeing their daughter. They're just seeing this, like, superstar that is kind of not, you know, someone they gave birth to.

[Willie Geist]

Clearly no inhibitions as your dad is staring up at you from the front row.

[Nikki Glaser]

Yes. But you know what? Like, I feel like they. Their pride in me and, like, over what I've made from telling all these shameful details about my life and my sex life. It's been really nice to show them that you can be shameful and say things that you would think that no one would like you because you think these things. But I'm like, people do like me because of it. And I think it's really. It's made my mom more free and honest and open and hilarious. And I think. And my dad has definitely taken some liberties. I mean, it's made me uncomfortable. He's giving it back to me now. The other day, we were driving, and there was, like, two dragonflies on the windshield, like, mating, you know, like, they're, like, hooked up, you know, as you see. And my dad was like, oh, look at that. And I was like, oh, my God, it's so cool. They're mating. And my dad just goes, God, I'm so horny right now. I was just like, dad, he was, like, cracking up. And he was like, listen, I can dish it, too. And I was like, oh, God, what have I made? What have I made of you?

[Willie Geist]

See that's how you make him feel.

[Nikki Glaser]

Exactly. And fair enough. But, like, I did understand, like, oh, that does feel horrible to hear.

[Willie Geist]

They're good sports, to say the least.

[Nikki Glaser]

They are such good sports.

[Willie Geist]

So you mentioned Conan. All that inspiration growing up in St. Louis. There's. It's one thing to be a fan of comedy, and then another thing to say. I'm gonna try this.

[Nikki Glaser]

Yes.

[Willie Geist]

Is that moment at University of Kansas when you see the flyer on the wall.

[Nikki Glaser]

Yeah, that was. No, it was. I went to the University of Colorado my freshman year, and I'd always loved comedy, but I just thought the only way to ever be on TV was to be an. Like, I just didn't think about the business or, like, any kind of other avenue besides singer or actress or dancer. And I couldn't. Really Wasn't exceptional at any of them. And so I was just so bummed out and trying to figure out my life. I was kind of in the throes of a crazy eating disorder. And I just thought, my life is kind of over. This is what it's gonna be. I'm probably gonna die of this thing. Cause I just didn't. I wanted. My whole dream was to, like, be on TV and perform. And there was just. I wasn't good at any of the things that got you to do it, so I was just kind of wasting away. And then I went to school, and because of the way I looked, because of my eating disorder, I really was struggling to make friends because I just. It was very apparent I was struggling. And I think I sensed that. And so I just turned up my personality, like, a lot. Like, I just became a lot funnier than I had ever been before. And just so I could make friends and make people forget about what they were looking at. And it worked. I got so many friends, and they all told me later on, like, oh, people would come to us and say, we're so concerned about Nikki. And we'd go, oh, my God. I forgot that she. To even look that way, because I was able to really mask it with how funny I was being. And that was the first time I started hearing, like, you should be a comedian. And I just was like. I mean, I was desperate for any kind of direction. So I was like, what can I even do that? Like, I just hadn't really thought about it. And it was just a simple Google search of, like, female standup. And then seeing, you know, Wendy Liebman and Sarah Silverman. And then I, sitting in my dorm room in my freshman year was just like, this is What I'm gonna do. And there was a comedy competition on campus. My friend stole a flyer, and she was like, you're doing this? And I was like, I guess no one else is because you stole the flyer, But. And so I just started writing jokes, and then I did it. And the first time I did it, my dad was on speakerphone listening. My friend called him from the audience, and, I mean, it really. It was one of those crazy. It sounds like it's from, like, a Lifetime movie. But I got off stage, and, you know, I was really down and out at this time in my life, and I called my dad backstage and was just like, I know what I want to do. I'm gonna be a comedian. And I just knew, and it was, okay, well, let's just. Let's figure out this eating disorder, because this is gonna stand in my way. Like, that was my only obsession before, and now I have a new obsession. And it. It really saved my life. Like, it just gave me something to live for, and I became obsessed.

[Willie Geist]

That's incredible. And you're, like, 18 years old at that point.

[Nikki Glaser]

Yeah.

[Willie Geist]

Wow.

[Nikki Glaser]

Yeah.

[Willie Geist]

So it literally changed your life in that moment.

[Nikki Glaser]

Like, saved my life. I really was kind of gonna die, I think. Like, I just wanted to. It was just my life. I just didn't. That sounds ridiculous to say now that if I couldn't be a performer, there's nothing to live for. But I really felt that way. And so I. And I was, you know, really sick, and so my life was miserable. So I was just like, please, just. Let's just get this over with. And then it was just. I just needed something to care about and something to feel like I had a purpose. And suddenly this. It just landed on my desk, and it was like, oh. And then I completely shifted, and that became my obsession.

[Willie Geist]

That's amazing. So did you feel yourself getting physically better as you got?

[Nikki Glaser]

Well, I went to a doctor, like, immediate after. I went to a counselor on campus that I had been avoiding going to. And I was like, how do I get over this? Like, it was my first time that I was like, I want to get over this, because I was really into it at the time. You know, like, you have an eating disorder. It's like, it's your obsession, and it's all that I wanted to do. But suddenly there was something else I cared about more. So I just reached out for help and figured and was like, how do I beat this? And it took. I mean, it was years and years of clawing my way out of it. But stand up in the drive to be good at this thing that I liked so much and saw the potential in being good at was. Was the reason I was able to get out of it.

[Willie Geist]

Incredible.

[Nikki Glaser]

Yeah.

[Willie Geist]

So from that point forward, is there any moment along the way where you're like, I'm not gonna do standup? Like, did it get. Was the grind too hard? Did you feel like, I'm never gonna make it? I'm scratching out a living going from one club to the next, or were you always just locked in on this?

[Nikki Glaser]

There was just no other option. It was the only thing I've ever been good at. Like, you know, I wasn't great at the beginning because no one is, but it was the first time I was like, I'm better at most people who are starting out at this. I have. There's something. I have a knack for this. So there was no other option. And I always was really logical about it. I just. I think I researched enough to know that you aren't gonna be great for 10 years. So there was no pressure on myself for those 10 years, except, just go to every open mic, write with your friends, get on stage at any, and just be patient. So there. I think I can recall one moment bombing in a bar in Topeka and sitting on the stoop outside and calling my mom and just saying, like, what am I doing? I shouldn't do this. But that is. I only remember it because the only time it ever even entered into my mind. And I think I was just saying it so she would be like, no, you're gonna. I knew I was gonna keep going. There was just really no other option.

[Willie Geist]

Yeah.

[Nikki Glaser]

Yeah. And I was patient.

[Willie Geist]

When did you start to feel like this is worse? I know you say it's a 10 year thing.

[Nikki Glaser]

Yeah.

[Willie Geist]

So if you start when you're 18, is there a marker for you where you go, oh, yeah, I can do this and make a living maybe even for the rest of my life doing this.

[Nikki Glaser]

Now, this is like, in opposition to what I was saying before about having imposter syndrome, but I just always knew I was right where I should be. Like, I was always. I felt like, you know, even like I would at the open mics. I was like, I'm having, you know, some of the best sets at the open mics. That felt like, okay, I've made it then. I was, okay, I got the Tonight Show. I felt like I made it. Like, it was always just right where I was. But, I mean, I guess, you know, getting past here at the comedy Cellar, I think, was a big moment for me. I was my first time living in New York. I was. You know, I'd done the LA scene. I'd been in St. Louis, developing, and then I moved here, and it was very intimidating, and I felt like, am I gonna fit in? This is like, a higher level of, like, more cerebral, more like just. Just comedians who treat it like a real art here, as opposed to, like, something in addition to their acting career or just trying to get them a TV show. People only want to be standups in this town. And so when I was here, I was really intimidated. And I think I was here for a few months before I got my audition here. And I think sitting back at that bar, being so nervous, and it was just like, you're gonna go up tonight and just figuring out my set and going downstairs and having this one shot to perform in front of Esti who passes or fails you, and then getting. And her just being like, okay, I will take your number. And being like. And it's not even like you're past. It's like, I'll take your number. I'm like, am I passed? But. And then getting those first spots here, I think even being here reminds me of what that meant to me, because there's no denying that if you work here, you're a standup, and that whether you're famous or not, when you work here, but you're, like, a tried and true standup, and you have the respect of all your peers, I think. Yeah.

[Willie Geist]

So for people watching or listening to the podcast in the Olive Tree Cafe, which is above the Comedy Cellar.

[Nikki Glaser]

Yes.

[Willie Geist]

Fair to say one of the most famous comedy venues in the world.

[Julie (Nikki's Mom)]

Agreed.

[Nikki Glaser]

Yes, absolutely.

[Willie Geist]

So what does it mean to a comedian to get even if it's five minutes on the stage downstairs?

[Nikki Glaser]

I mean, it just means acceptance into this really cool club. I mean, this is the coolest club comedy club there is. It's all the coolest comics hang out here. Just the best comics. Everyone has such reverence for this place. Everyone's on time for their spots. You know, even, like, you know, Chris Rock will get nervous if he's running five minutes late, because this place runs very efficiently, and you have to respect it. And it's like, it's. It means everything, because it is. And it's also a spot where you feel like you get accepted into, like, a family. You can just stop by here anytime. If you don't have a set, I can be gone from here for years and come back in. And I still know everyone it still looks the same. The menu's still great, and. And you can get your booth. And the crowds are always so hot and. Yeah, but you never lose that feeling of like, hi, is it okay if I get on? Like, no. There's no level that I'll ever reach where I'll feel like I can just walk in here and own the place or something. Like, there's just a deep respect for it.

[Willie Geist]

We were talking when you walked in about that booth in the corner.

[Nikki Glaser]

Yeah, in the corner.

[Willie Geist]

When you walk in here, like, that's where Chris Rock might be or Seinfeld or name your big comedian would be back there. And you still feel a little like, should I be back in that corner even at this point? Always.

[Nikki Glaser]

Always. I kind of tiptoe back there and maybe, like, put my purse down. Like, I'm so sorry. And they're like, sit down. And then I'm, like, nervous the whole time. I mean, it's anxiety inducing back there because it is, like, the best comedians. And then also, like, their celebrity friends will just drop by. They'll be like, you know, Paul McCartney's been back there for sure. You know, models, scientists, like, it's really. It's really intimidating back there. But it's so cool that they all just sit back here in this public space that if you are someone who's just at the show, you can come up here and have dinner and watch all these people back there just hanging out. I think it's. Everyone feels safe back there. They're not behind frosted glass. It's like the biggest celebrities in the world just being normal and having the best time and busting each other's balls. It's more fun for me to sit back and observe. I'm always in this booth just kind of watching, and maybe I'll get summoned over and say hi.

[Willie Geist]

But I think you're ready now.

[Nikki Glaser]

I think. Okay.

[Willie Geist]

I think it's time. Next time, you're still like, oh, I'm

[Nikki Glaser]

moving back here this summer. And so I'll be here, like, every single night. So, yeah, I'll probably. I'll try to. I'll try to fit into it.

[Willie Geist]

Do a test run, see how it goes.

[Nikki Glaser]

Yeah.

[Willie Geist]

And then you'll know if it's fine.

[Nikki Glaser]

But it's just. It doesn't. That doesn't go away. Like, I'm sure you have things like that, too, where you just still. How you come into someplace is how you'll feel there the rest of your career.

[Willie Geist]

That's exactly right.

[Nikki Glaser]

Yeah.

[Willie Geist]

In addition to your Stand up. You're all well known for the roasts.

[Nikki Glaser]

Yeah.

[Willie Geist]

The Comedy Central roast, those early ones I mentioned. And then, of course, leading up to the Tom Brady roast, which I think it's fair to say it was almost exactly two years ago, by the way. I think it was two years ago next week. Like, just set your career ablaze.

[Nikki Glaser]

Yes.

[Willie Geist]

So when you approach those, whether it's Alec Baldwin or Tom Brady, what is your approach to those? Because one of the things I love, one of the reasons I think they work so well, is you'll say, like, I love you so much after. Like, there's an affection. Like, we all understand that this is a little bit of a game.

[Nikki Glaser]

Yes. And it's weird because I don't know these people, and I. I go into a lot of these roasts not really knowing their body of work or, you know, with Tom Brady, I, I, I knew obviously, of him and what he meant to people that cared about football, but I don't care about football, and I don't really know why he's so great. So I just had to do my research and read his book and watch all of his interviews and just get to a place where I was like, oh, my God, Tom Brady. Like, where I believed in it and I understood how great he was so that I can then dismantle him. Like, you have to have the respect and, like, the awe first, and then I can take him down. I'm kind of uncomfortable taking down people or roasting people that I don't like or that I don't respect. It feels you can. I just don't think the anger or the kind of resentment that comes out in my tone is attractive or something that is as watchable as when I'm just, you know, what you mean, coming from a place of love. So I try to get to that place of love. So it starts with a lot of research, and then it's about. Then I just watch Roast constantly, just to get in the mindset, because it's just. There's no other place like it where you can just say such awful things to people's faces. I really think it is, like, the most. The safest place for free speech that we have is a roast, because the things that get said, they can't be said. You would be canceled for saying them anywhere else. But you have a license. It's your job to go there. That's what I love is, like, no one can be mad at what I say or that I took it too far or they shouldn't be Cause that is the job and everyone kind of agrees to that and knows that. So I love that freedom of being like, yeah, I just said this horrible thing, but you can't be mad at me. That's what I'm being paid to do, right? Because I probably have the instincts to be like, as mean as that normally, but I can't. Cause that would be mean. But this is. I love when being mean's the job. And I think it also, I try to approach it from. I think the best roasters are super critical of themselves and are roasting themselves. So I, you know, roast myself every day and think the meanest things about myself. And, you know, I have a lot of. I'm self effacing to a degree that like scares my friends and family when they hear me talk about myself. And I think I just try to, you know, I just project that. So it's. I just try to think of what can I say about this person that they have never even. They didn't even know that I could go there where they, they almost wish, like, I would have given a note that she can't talk about that thing. Like, I feel like I sometimes surprise people of like, I didn't even think anyone would ever have the balls to say, to joke about that thing. Otherwise I would have, I didn't even think ahead of time to say, don't joke about that. Because who would be crazy enough to joke about it? But I'm like, if you give me a parameter, I'll stick to it, but if you don't, I'll do it. And I have before, I mean, it's been, I've been at Roast backstage, like right before we're going on, where I get a note from the network of like, hey, so and so. Heard there might be a joke like this, which is one of my jokes in the, in the set, they're gonna walk off stage if that is referenced. And I go, well, that would have been nice to know a week ago, but okay, now we have to rearrange everything. But I do respect it. Like, I don't want to hurt. You know, I don't think roast should just be like, you gotta, you gotta take whatever we're dishing. Like, you should be able to have boundaries. But it's fine to. It's fun to find loopholes.

[Willie Geist]

I mean, do you. I think part of the joy of it for us, and it's a real study in human nature, is you are saying things that people think but would never say out loud to Tom Brady in Particular about Gisele and all that stuff. Is there any inner cringe for you when you're saying it, or are you just like, I'm here. I've gotta go all in on it?

[Nikki Glaser]

Well, when I'm doing it, no. Like, I've gotta be that person that is, you know, just sticking the landing on these and, like, believes that what I'm saying is appropriate and okay to say. But, you know, if I come across a clip online of myself, I go past it right away. The times that I've had to watch them or been on a radio show and they play it, I just am like, what are you saying? How dare you say this to this person? You don't know? Like, I really have that reaction of, like, there's something wrong with you. Like, I really. There is a cringe element to some of it. And I will say I pull back a lot. People might not think I do, but there's been times that I have left some. I've left some of my best work on the cutting room floor because I just didn't want to hurt someone's feelings. So I do. I don't want anyone to be regretful that they did the roast. Maybe besides Ann. Cool. Ann Coulter.

[Willie Geist]

I actually was thinking about that as one.

[Nikki Glaser]

I didn't mind if she didn't like me after it, but everyone else, I just want. I don't want to have to, like, avoid them the rest of my career like that. And everyone's been pretty good sport.

[Willie Geist]

Yeah. And as you've said many times, whether it's there at the Golden Globes, the reaction of the people is key.

[Nikki Glaser]

It's everything.

[Willie Geist]

Whether it's Kevin Hart or Tom Brady or Leonardo DiCaprio, you gotta have that.

[Nikki Glaser]

It's everything. People don't realize how much we base our opinion about something off of how other people perceive it. So whether it's a comment you're reading under a video you're about to watch online, I mean, I do it, too. Before I watch a video, I'll be like, what do people think about this before I form my opinion or a laugh track. Like, we think laughters are ridiculous, but when they're not there, this is spooky. We need to be shown how to feel. So we need to see that person laugh when the camera lands on them. And we know. I know every single host that people have said have bombed or didn't do well if you just put a laugh. If Tom Hanks would have laughed at Ricky Gervais's joke in that moment, it would have been like, ricky killed and didn't go too far. And, you know, ricky's obviously killed, and everyone loved it. But, like, there's moments that I remember of people having uncomfortable reactions that completely changed the way people perceived the entire performance. Just because of one joke.

[Willie Geist]

Right.

[Nikki Glaser]

There's one joke that I wrote for a friend one time that did a roast, and they got so much backlash for it because the person that it was about, they just. They maybe weren't even listening, but they just kind of looked like they looked upset, and it was like they went too far. Like, that was the headline, right? And it was so ridiculous, because the joke was not offensive at all, but they just heard one buzzword in the guy's face, and that's it. Then you're done for. And that's what's scary about this stuff, is that it's so sensitive that just the one mistake you make or one reaction shot you get can change all of the headlines about whether you killed or didn't kill or, like, you know, people always say you toe the line perfectly, and it's like, but that isn't even up to me. I've gotten really lucky with people's. You know, there's effort that goes into it of, you know, saying, I love you so much and building them up before I go in for the hit. And that's maybe a little calculated, but I always try to make those moments actually very sincere. I don't want to, like, butter someone else that I don't actually am not a fan of.

[Willie Geist]

And I think that's why the Globes worked, because you played it so well, especially that first time. So you're coming off the Brady Roast.

[Nikki Glaser]

Yeah. Oh, my God.

[Willie Geist]

Like, you're on fire. And people are like, all right, how's this gonna go over, though, in that room? Yeah, it's all elegant movie stars. Is she gonna really go in that way? So that first time, how did you approach that one maybe differently than a roast of.

[Nikki Glaser]

Oh, that was terrifying, because I knew. I knew how I would feel if I was a celebrity. Watching this girl that just did that at the Tom Brady roast and just went for the jugular every single time, I would have been terrified being in that audience. So I knew that going in, and so I really. I set up the set to, you know, build in intensity so that I would ease them into, like, okay, she's gonna take care of us. She knows the limit. She's not going there. And then save maybe some more harsher jokes for the end. But I really and it was also about, like, don't walk out there. Like, you deserve to be there. Like, humble yourself in front of these people. Win them over by letting them know that you don't think you're one of them. And I think I got that advice from. I think it was Ricky who told me, like, you aren't one of them. You're not an A lister. And no offense, but we're comedians, we're clowns. And they want to feel like you are just so in awe of them. And I literally am. I can't believe I'm there. So it was easy for me to tap into that. And you just put so much thought went into that. I mean, it was. It was so hard because some of the best jokes you just couldn't tell that year because it just. I hadn't earned it yet. And then you got the second year. I could walk out there and I sensed that their faces weren't as, like, pained. There was a little bit more leaning in of like, I hope she might talk about me. And that was just. It was so nice to see that I, like, gained their trust. Like a shelter dog or something. That's how it felt. Like, I really. They were suddenly eating out of my hand. And that felt like, oh, I really. That felt good. I will say that I will give myself a lot of credit for that because that took a lot of engineering and a lot of thought and just precision to nail that.

[Willie Geist]

It was perfect.

[Nikki Glaser]

Thank you.

[Willie Geist]

Because that is a thing, isn't it? Because I felt that sometimes, too. Do I have permission to say these things to these people who are like, who are you? You know, that kind of. So you did play that. Like, I get it. I'm the outsider coming into your world.

[Nikki Glaser]

I'm the joker that might be beheaded after this. Yes. Like, I'm visiting. I come in peace. But my job is to give the audience at home what they want, which is like, some takedown of these celebrities who think they're so cool and are on these pedestals. Like, as much as we love celebrities, we just can't stand how cool they think they are. And so you have to deliver that to the audience at home. But it is a fine line between. Because no one in that room feels that way about celebrities. And so it's. Threading that needle's tough. But I was really proud of how I did.

[Willie Geist]

The other thing I didn't realize is you send flowers and handwritten cards to all of the targets in the room after the Golden Globes.

[Nikki Glaser]

Yeah, I did that. This Year for the first time.

[Willie Geist]

Did you?

[Nikki Glaser]

Yeah, I just, you know, I just felt like they were a part of it and that they. It wasn't even about, like, sucking up to them. I feel like it can maybe look like that, but it was about just being like. Like, thank you. Because you're the reason why people are saying, I killed, like, you being cool in that moment. That maybe you didn't think that joke was that funny, and maybe it made you uncomfortable or maybe it made you feel insecure about this thing you're insecure about.

[Julie (Nikki's Mom)]

You.

[Nikki Glaser]

You didn't do the thing that you easily could have done, which is, like, just be, like. You know, like, it's. It means so much to me. So I just wanted to thank them for being cool and also for, like, taking opportunity to, like. Like, I think it makes us, like, when celebrities can laugh at themselves, we like them more. So I'm giving these celebrities an opportunity to be more likable to the American public, and I think they're all catching on to that. It's a cooler look to be cool about it. And, yeah, I just wanted to say thank you.

[Willie Geist]

And Leo sent you something.

[Nikki Glaser]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, he did. He sent me. I made a joke about him saying in an interview in a Teen beat magazine in 1991 that his favorite food is pasta, pasta and more pasta. And I go, is that still your favorite food? And he was like, you know, memed it. And, yeah, he sent me back three baskets of pasta, pasta, pasta, and more pasta. So funny.

[Willie Geist]

That's good.

[Nikki Glaser]

So sweet. Didn't expect any reply at all from anyone. Like, I thought their assistants would just get these flowers. Like, I didn't even know if it would get to them. So the fact that he took time to do that was Just meant so much to me and really showed me that, you know, my whole point of that joke is we don't know anything about you. Like, who are you? You know, and open up a little bit. And I felt like, oh, now I know more about him. Like, this is a guy that is thoughtful and funny and kind. And I was like, let's see more of that, Leo. So I had to tell everyone that he's, like, a really good guy. Yeah, yeah, it was really sweet.

[Willie Geist]

That's funny. That's a funny reply. The three bags of pasta, it was so funny.

[Nikki Glaser]

I didn't even get it at first. I was like, oh, we got pasta. And someone goes, it's pasta, pasta, more pasta. It was like, oh, my God, that is so funny. That is so cool. God, he's great.

[Willie Geist]

That's very good.

[Nikki Glaser]

He's really funny.

[Willie Geist]

That also was a good joke by

you because you go, oh, you're doing

the young girlfriend thing again.

You're like, I'm not doing that.

[Nikki Glaser]

Yes.

[Willie Geist]

I'm doing something else. Well constructed.

[Nikki Glaser]

I mean, I didn't. I hate going for the easy joke.

[Willie Geist]

Yeah.

[Nikki Glaser]

And the easy joke for Leo is that he dates women under 25. And every version of that joke has been done to death. But in writing those jokes that, you know, we just, me and my team could not crack another angle for Leo, it was so frustrating. And we came up with a really good joke about having a girlfriend. And it was working in all the clubs. When I was trying it out, I was like, I don't wanna do it, you guys. I just. I just. Just for him, like, I just don't want him to be like, ugh, I have to laugh at another one of these. Cause I knew he'd be a good sport, but, like, ugh. So cringe. But then it was so. I was able to do that joke just because I knew I had the next thing on hand of like, come on, man, tell us anything about yourself. And that all came out of like, why isn't there anything else we know about him? Open up. And then someone in my writer's room was like, that's the angle. And then we went off on that. It was really fun.

[Willie Geist]

Really good. Very well done.

[Nikki Glaser]

Thank you.

[Willie Geist]

Stick around for more of my conversation with Nikki Glaser, right after a quick break.

[Nikki Glaser]

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[Nikki Glaser]

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[Nikki Glaser]

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[Willie Geist]

Welcome back now to the rest of my conversation with Nikki Glaser.

I've got to ask you before I let you go, about the movie, we were just talking about the fifth wheel.

[Nikki Glaser]

Yes.

[Willie Geist]

You and Kim Kardashian.

[Nikki Glaser]

Yes.

[Willie Geist]

Eva Longoria directing. Judd Apatow's involved, right. He's not involved at all in that one. Okay. That's the other one.

[Nikki Glaser]

Yes.

[Willie Geist]

So how did that come about? And how are you finding acting?

[Nikki Glaser]

Oh, my God. That came about. I read this script that was written by Paul Appel and Janine Brito, like, over a year ago, and I was just getting to the point where people were starting to be like, you should read scripts. I didn't. Was like, for what? To give notes on them? Like, punch them up? And I'm like, oh, to be in them. And so I read the script and it was my favorite thing I had read. It was. I was just like, oh, my God, I can't wait to watch this movie. This is like the next Bridesmaids. And I was thinking maybe I could be like a waiter in it or something, like, do a cameo. Like, I just did not even think I was being considered for, like, a lead role. And then I met with producers and said, I love this movie. I was just, like, congratulating them on, like, what? I can't wait to watch this. And then I thought it had been casted. I thought they were already shooting it. And then nine months later, they were like, and so you got the. One of the lead roles of Lexi. And I was just like, are you kidding me? Like, and it was. It was. It was honestly so insane, Willie, because I didn't audition for it. There's really no evidence of my acting really anywhere out there. And I got on set the first day, and maybe it was a week into filming that I just turned to Eva at one point or someone on set, and I said, I go, you guys have no idea if I could act. Right? Like, this was the biggest gamble you could have ever taken. Like, but this is what happens when you get famous. People just give you things that you've been. That people work so hard to get, and then they just suddenly fall in your lap. So it was so funny to me. I got a lead role when. No, I mean, they'd seen me on SNL I guess. And they had seen me in a couple, I did a couple scenes in movies and stuff, but to carry a film. And luckily they were like, they admitted to me later, like, after the table read, they all were like, oh, thank God, she can do this. And so it was. But it was just kind of an example of how when you get to a certain level in this industry, like things that you thought would be so hard to get kind of just like people give them to you, and it's not fair at all. And I feel bad to the actors who struggle so much and would kill for that role and do something with it that I could never even do. But I get it because I'm hot right now. That's just the way it works. And it sucks. It sucks, but not for me in this moment. But it was really, it was so fun. It was just fun to, you know, stand up is such a solitary pursuit, and you just feel like you're just alone up there and with your material and it's so personal. And so to collaborate with, you know, all these funny people and to be an ensemble cast. And we really, honestly, it was me, Fortune Feimster, Brenda Song and Kim Kardashian and Eva directing. And we all became, like, great, great friends, and we had the best time. And it was just so fun to, I don't know, it just felt like I had a little family that I hadn't had in a really long time in this job.

[Willie Geist]

Did it go well enough? There might be more in your future.

[Nikki Glaser]

Oh, yeah. It was so fun. I really loved playing a character. I loved learning about. I don't know, I just, it was different for me. The thing that was tough about it was that after a scene, you don't get laughs when you're performing because everyone has to be quiet on set. And I'm used to, like, immediate, like, that was funny or that wasn't. So I'd get done with a scene and be like, I just bombed. And the lanyard guys were like, we can't laugh. Like, we're get in trouble. So there was, like, not that immediate validation you want. And so that was a little struggle for me. But I, I really, I, I, I loved the process because they were really open to me, like, punching things up and pitching jokes. And so I got to be, like, heavily involved with that part of it, which, you know, I didn't even think I would be. So I, I, I can't wait to, like, start making movies and, and being able to have a hand in the

[Willie Geist]

writing and Stuff, as you say, you've kind of made it at this point. So is there other stuff that you're, like, thinking about? I know you like to sing. Is there, like, using this moment that you've worked 22 years to earn?

[Nikki Glaser]

Yeah.

[Willie Geist]

Are there other things, acting, other things you'd be interested in?

[Nikki Glaser]

You know, like, I've been watching Survivor this season, and I was like, I would like to go on Survivor maybe. Like, there's things like that.

[Willie Geist]

Like, they would love to have you

[Nikki Glaser]

on Survival, but I have to earn it, Willy. This is the thing. Like, I just jumped in. I watched season one, two, three, and then I'm back at 50, so I have to be ingratiated into the Survivor family. You have to, like, be a super fan. So I have to now go watch, you know, 46 seasons of season, you

[Willie Geist]

just say you watched them.

[Nikki Glaser]

I can't lie, Willy. I don't lie. Maybe if there's some good synopses on YouTube I could watch, but I was thinking, like, I could maybe, like, because you get to do things when you reach a certain level that you would never dream of getting to do, and that would be really hard to get any other way. I might take advantage of that. Like, instead of just getting a table at a restaurant, I'm like, I want to go on Survivor. Maybe they'll let me.

[Willie Geist]

Let's put that out in the atmosphere right now.

[Nikki Glaser]

He did it, but he's a super fan, so he earned it. And everyone in the Survivor community is like, you deserve to be here. So I just. I wanna earn it a bit more. And then I think I would like to do it.

[Willie Geist]

Okay.

[Nikki Glaser]

Yeah.

[Willie Geist]

That's the big showbiz goal.

[Nikki Glaser]

Survivor.

[Willie Geist]

Survivor.

[Nikki Glaser]

And then, like, my. I don't really think in goals that I never really have. I truly haven't. But if I'm putting one out there, I would like to be in a Taylor Swift music video someday. I'm just, like, the biggest Swiftie, and I just. I love the way she directs, and I would just like to be directed by Taylor Swift and to, like, be a part of her, you know, videography at some point. And she tends to, like, put, you know, celebrities cameos in comedians, and so I think that's a goal. I would never, like, approach her with her or anything, and I would be embarrassed if she ever saw this clip. But I'm just. I'm manifesting it to, like. That would be something that I would just, you know, die to do.

[Willie Geist]

I'm gonna send it to her team.

[Nikki Glaser]

Please don't Please don't. She's heard enough from me.

[Willie Geist]

Nikki was begging to be in one of your videos.

[Nikki Glaser]

Oh, no. Only if you would, like, Wait.

[Willie Geist]

Have you ever connected with her since you're, like, such a well known, swifty peripheral, like.

[Nikki Glaser]

Like, through. Through things. Like, she sent me, like, you know, the boxes and stuff that, like, that you get ahead of. So, like, she's aware of me and. And. And. And so sweet and. Yes. But it's. It's too overwhelming. I don't. I don't. I don't need to.

[Willie Geist]

Now you're getting shy all of a sudden.

[Nikki Glaser]

I honestly am blushing. This is the only thing where I will get a little bit cagey because I just want to be respectful and, like, I never want to be someone who's, like, trying to get into her circle or something. Like, I want it to happen naturally if it ever happens, and not because I'm, like, snuck my way in or. Right.

[Willie Geist]

Smart play.

[Nikki Glaser]

Yeah.

[Willie Geist]

But also, you want to be in her videos.

[Nikki Glaser]

Yeah, just her videos. Like, she doesn't even have to be my friend. Like, I'm not asking for much, and I'll do my best, and she can cut me out of it. I just want to watch her work.

[Willie Geist]

She doesn't even have to be there that day. No sense to.

[Nikki Glaser]

I want to be directed by her. I think she's. I want to watch. You know, I just, like, respect her as an artist in all the ways, all the different things that she does, and I. I really respect her as a director, and I'm like, I just want to. Comedically, I want to be directed by her.

[Willie Geist]

Okay. I like that we're putting some good stuff out there.

[Nikki Glaser]

Yeah.

[Willie Geist]

So fun to talk to you. So happy for your success.

[Nikki Glaser]

Thank you. Willie.

[Willie Geist]

I, like, truly have been a fan of yours for so long, and to watch you up on these stages and see everyone get you and get to laugh with you and see what you've done, it's an awesome thing I said to you earlier. It's like watching someone from your high school host the Golden Globes and you're like that. There she is. I know her. It's true.

[Nikki Glaser]

That's a compliment. Because I know what that feels like to watch someone where you're like. And I get that a lot, where people are like. And people really will say to me, I'm not happy for most people's success, but I'm happy for yours. And that really means so much to me. And I think that's. I hope that speaks not to only my talent, but like, my character of, like, being a kind person. Like, I get a lot from my comedian friends who, like, you know, we could all be jealous of each other's success, me included. But people go, no, you've always been nice to me. You deserve this. And I think that that's part of it too, I think. And people are like, no, she can have this. She's a good person. And I think that means a lot to me.

[Willie Geist]

And it's the journey to know how many times you waited downstairs to get on stage or clubs across the country.

[Nikki Glaser]

Yes. People who know me have seen how long it's taken and how I haven't ever really reached for something I didn't deserve too soon. I've just. I've been patient, and I feel like I've earned it, and I haven't, you know. Yeah, I think that means. Yeah, that means the most to me when people are like, you deserve this. And I'm. I'm happy for your success, because that's hard to have in this business. A lot of people are just like, oh, her? Why her?

[Willie Geist]

We're happy for success and can't wait to see in Taylor's new video.

[Nikki Glaser]

Yeah. Thank you, Willie.

[Willie Geist]

Thank you, Nikki.

After we sat down in the cafe, Nikki and I hopped up for a little stroll around the neighborhood.

This is the neighborhood?

[Nikki Glaser]

Yeah, this is it.

[Julie (Nikki's Mom)]

This is.

[Nikki Glaser]

Was the Dylan movie that came on. A complete unknown.

[Willie Geist]

A complete unknown around here with a chalamet.

[Nikki Glaser]

Yeah.

[Willie Geist]

Now, did you have that dialed in with Sandler beforehand, I assume.

[Nikki Glaser]

You know what? No, it was a. Like, he was sitting down. It was, like, probably five minutes until the show started. And one of my producers went up to him, was like, hey, can we. She's gonna maybe call on you. And he goes, no, no, no, don't. This is her. And I don't. I don't want to steal focus. You know, maybe not steel focus, but this doesn't need to be about me. And we're like, no, she wants it to be. And just. It's real quick. Just. And he nailed it. I mean, that was such a great moment that, you know, was orchestrated but very last minute done. And we could have done. Even if he wanted to sit it out, it would have worked. But it was so fun that he was down and he's been so sweet ever since. And he told me that he can't go anywhere without people saying chalamet to him in the street. Like, everywhere he goes, he hears it multiple times a day. And so it's nice to have that kind of impact on Adam Sandler's career.

[Willie Geist]

Yeah.

You helped his career.

[Nikki Glaser]

Yeah. You're welcome, Adam.

[Willie Geist]

She needed. Are there. Some of those are like, the person's not in the seat yet, right? Like at an event or.

[Nikki Glaser]

Oh, yeah.

[Willie Geist]

And you're like, oh, there's a whole joke built around yes.

[Nikki Glaser]

Sometimes it's like, oh, my God, are they. Are they gonna be. Are they gonna get there too late? Like, I think there was. The first year there was kind of rumors that one person that we were hitting pretty hard had caught wind in some of my press interviews that maybe I was gonna do a joke about them and they were just maybe gonna skip it. Which would have been, it's smart, you know, like, you just wanna avoid some kind of stupid joke. And that was by the. That was the year that I hadn't really proved myself. And they were like, what's she gonna say? And luckily they showed up in time, but there was like, last minute things like that. There was one joke that I had about a huge celebrity that was in the room that for some reason was sat all the way in the back. And so I had written in, like, why are you back there? Did you buy these on StubHub or win them in a radio contest? It was a huge lottery. I don't wanna say who it was. Cause it's embarrassing that they would even think to put her back there. But then when I did it at rehearsal, the producers realized this isn't a good look, that we're putting her back there. So they moved her up and I'm like, damn, we lost that joke. Cause it wasn't.

[Willie Geist]

That's what I was think. You told that on Howard the next morning.

[Nikki Glaser]

Yes, yes, yes. So it's. It's. Yeah, you. And you have to like, memorize where everyone's sitting and kind of think to where to look. And also just like, who is. Who's gonna be there? You know, like, who's. They might be nominated, but they aren't gonna show up. Or like, you know, we are just every day in the writers room getting, you know, the updates of who's confirmed to show up and just celebrating and being like, yes, we can do that joke. You know, it's like. Like so much stuff gets left behind because they're just not there.

[Willie Geist]

Right.

[Nikki Glaser]

And you can't make fun of someone who's not there.

[Willie Geist]

Yes.

[Nikki Glaser]

You know, thank God Sean Penn showed up to the Google books. He doesn't show up to anything else.

[Willie Geist]

That was so good.

[Nikki Glaser]

But that was. Yeah, we lucked out. And on the just smoking openly in the room.

[Willie Geist]

So cool.

Yeah.

Does he have, like, a waiver on smoking laws?

[Nikki Glaser]

Him and Chel can smoke indoors. They're the only two people.

[Willie Geist]

But on the Sean Penn scale, he handled that very well.

[Nikki Glaser]

Oh, my God, yes.

[Willie Geist]

Right? He was amazing.

[Nikki Glaser]

And I was. That was the one I was nervous about because it was about as low. And you can't make fun of someone's looks. We all know that. And he's an aging man. And it was talking about him looking like a sexy leather handbag or aging into one, and. But then I justified it because I was like, I am attracted to him. I actually. I like this look that he has, and he does look like that, and. But the greatest thing was that Kimmel told me, do that joke. He doesn't. He's not vain.

[Willie Geist]

Right.

[Nikki Glaser]

It's not gonna affect him. I couldn't even understand. How could you not care about someone thinking you look like a leather handbag? But he didn't.

[E.J. (Nikki's Dad)]

He didn't.

[Nikki Glaser]

He didn't at all.

[Willie Geist]

He took that well.

[Nikki Glaser]

He wasn't secure.

[Willie Geist]

That was fun. We were at home. We're all like, oh, I was. And then we're like, okay, good.

[Nikki Glaser]

That was the part in the set where I could breathe after it, like, leading up to that, I was just like, the. Sean Penn took the set. Like, it's in my head. And as soon as I looked at him before I said it, I knew he was gonna. He was gonna like it because he was already like, yeah, a little smirk.

[Willie Geist]

Yeah.

[Nikki Glaser]

Just ready for it. I'm like, oh, he. He knows what's coming, right?

[Willie Geist]

So you mentioned a joke that didn't make it into the special.

[Nikki Glaser]

Yeah.

[Willie Geist]

Do you remember it?

[Nikki Glaser]

It was a tag to a larger. But there's a bit in the special about being. I want to be a dad because you can just leave. Moms can't leave. There's no deadbeat moms. There's deadbeat dads. And the tag I have now that I wrote right after the special was, there's no deadbeat moms. I mean, there's dead moms and there's beat Moms, but there's no dead beat moms. And it sucks, because as soon as I wrote it, it was like I had friends coming up. To me being like, that Dead mom's Beat moms line is the best. And I'm like, I know. And I'm sure people now are like, it's not that great.

[Willie Geist]

And there's nowhere else to use it now.

[Nikki Glaser]

Nowhere else except here. This is you know what?

[Willie Geist]

This is it.

[Nikki Glaser]

That's whenever I forget a line or I have one of those things of like, why didn't I say that? I go, there's gonna be some other use for it. So exclusive. Big time joke right here.

[Willie Geist]

We got it here with Willie Geist. Web extra.

[Nikki Glaser]

Yes.

[Willie Geist]

Love that.

You also like. So do you shoot two shows for the special? Is that yes?

[Nikki Glaser]

Yeah, we did two separate nights. Usually I do two in one night. And it's just rough, like, turning the crowd around.

[Willie Geist]

And so it's because you're like, you have it. I mean, I know you've done it for two years, but it's so tight. Like, you don't miss. There's no, like, flub. There's no.

[Nikki Glaser]

There's like, well, I'll take it over if I flub.

[Willie Geist]

Do you?

[Nikki Glaser]

Yeah, I learned that from watching Schumer. First special taping of hers I went to before I was even doing that stuff. She messed up a line. She goes, I'm gonna take that over. And I'm like, you can do that? And it's like, of course you can't. It's not gonna work for the crowd now. Cause they've already heard it, but they even like it because it breaks the tension of, like, we're shooting something.

[Willie Geist]

Like, Right.

[Nikki Glaser]

The crowds at specials are always the worst. Like, it's such a shame that that's how standup comedy is mostly seen by people, is because they're always the worst crowd because they're so nervous. It's just an energy in the room, no matter what you do, to, like, make them feel comfortable and to acknowledge that they just can't relax in a way that makes them laugh a normal way. There's just a tension in the room that makes you perform differently.

[E.J. (Nikki's Dad)]

Right.

[Nikki Glaser]

And so when you call out that there's a taping and you're like, I flubbed it, guys. They just. They suddenly go, oh, she knows, too, that this is weird. And so it's actually. It's a good thing to do.

[Willie Geist]

This is it seller.

[Nikki Glaser]

This is it. My favorite place.

[Willie Geist]

Come on in.

[Nikki Glaser]

Thank you.

[Willie Geist]

After my sit down conversation with Nikki, I stepped outside to the sidewalk for a chat with Nikki's biggest fans, her proud parents, Julie and ej.

It was so sweet to hear Nikki in there talk the way she talked about you all.

[Julie (Nikki's Mom)]

She's so sweet.

[Willie Geist]

And just how you gave her license and permission and even inspiration to pursue this thing that might have seemed a little crazy to some parents.

[Julie (Nikki's Mom)]

Yeah, we just believed in her. We believed in her, because she was like, this is what I want to. Well, you know, it was an escape when she decided to go away to college and she called back when she was having troubles. It was like, oh, thank God we got something. And it was like a relief for all of us.

[E.J. (Nikki's Dad)]

She alluded to it when she. She told me one day, she said, dad's gonna take eight years to get good at this.

[Willie Geist]

Wow.

[E.J. (Nikki's Dad)]

I was like, eight years?

[Willie Geist]

Yeah.

[E.J. (Nikki's Dad)]

It's like, you know, becoming a doctor. A doctor, a surgeon. You're gonna do residency and internship and everything. But she said she was spot on.

[Willie Geist]

Yeah. She said she never had any doubts if this was it for her, even through the hard times.

[Julie (Nikki's Mom)]

Yeah.

[Willie Geist]

Did you all ever have doubts that this was gonna work out?

[Julie (Nikki's Mom)]

I knew how hard she worked at stuff, even as a child, and making her friends laugh and everything like that. So we're like, this is a perfect thing for her. It's gonna work. I had full faith in her.

[E.J. (Nikki's Dad)]

We really didn't have doubts.

[Julie (Nikki's Mom)]

Yeah, no, we didn't have doubts.

[E.J. (Nikki's Dad)]

She was in high school, though. She was in the National Honor Society. And she used to. If she had a paper to do, she'd stay up till four in the morning doing a paper. And I used to say, just get a demerit every once in a while. Just let it go.

[Willie Geist]

She's a worker.

[E.J. (Nikki's Dad)]

She was just.

[Willie Geist]

Yeah.

[Julie (Nikki's Mom)]

And she was a good girl. I mean, that's apropos here, but she really was.

[E.J. (Nikki's Dad)]

One thing that I think about one teacher. She had a teacher that was a theater guy, Milton Zoth was his name. And he told her she was in a play, August of the Teahouse Moon, or Tea House of the August Moon. And she had a comedic role. And he told her, he said, you have great comedic timing.

[Willie Geist]

Oh, wow.

[E.J. (Nikki's Dad)]

And that was a spark that kind of got her kind of going.

[Willie Geist]

Isn't that amazing?

[E.J. (Nikki's Dad)]

One thing a teacher says can make a big difference in your life.

[Willie Geist]

I can't tell you how many times I've heard that in interviews. One teacher, often a teacher says something to inspire them and say, keep going with this. Yeah, keep going with her.

[Julie (Nikki's Mom)]

He believed in her.

[Willie Geist]

So what is it like now, then, to have seen her? In the early years, you were talking about going around with her, and she's in clubs till 4am to see her hosting the Golden Globes.

[Julie (Nikki's Mom)]

It's incredible. I mean, we are so blessed, and she's so generous with us. Like, she invites us to everything, so we get to run on her coattails, and it's so fun.

[E.J. (Nikki's Dad)]

Yeah, we're always like, you really want us there?

[Julie (Nikki's Mom)]

Yeah.

[E.J. (Nikki's Dad)]

Are you sure one things of the make you more nervous. I was thinking it's going to make her more nervous, right?

[Nikki Glaser]

We don't try to talk her out

[Julie (Nikki's Mom)]

of it or anything.

[Willie Geist]

No, exactly. Take the ride. Now, in this particular special, I was just talking with Nikki inside about you all being there in the front row.

[Julie (Nikki's Mom)]

Right.

[Willie Geist]

And you know, there's some stuff. I've got a daughter too. Where if she were saying that for me 10ft away, I might blush a little bit. How was it for you, dad?

[E.J. (Nikki's Dad)]

Willie, it's as I said yesterday, I've become a newer over the years.

[Nikki Glaser]

Years.

[E.J. (Nikki's Dad)]

But when she first started doing this, we'd go to clubs with our friends and on the way out my friends would be like, sorry, dude.

[Willie Geist]

Yeah.

[Julie (Nikki's Mom)]

Oh God. We're like, hey, whatever.

[Willie Geist]

So.

[E.J. (Nikki's Dad)]

But you know.

[Julie (Nikki's Mom)]

Yeah.

[E.J. (Nikki's Dad)]

It's propelled her to this level and her honesty is what always gets me.

[Willie Geist]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[E.J. (Nikki's Dad)]

I. I would. Could never be that honest in front of a crowd about so dark, deep thoughts. I know.

[Willie Geist]

Sounds like nothing's off limits.

[Julie (Nikki's Mom)]

Gutsy girl.

[E.J. (Nikki's Dad)]

That's her.

[Willie Geist]

That's her.

[E.J. (Nikki's Dad)]

That's her brand.

[Nikki Glaser]

Yeah.

[Willie Geist]

How's it for you to watch that?

[Julie (Nikki's Mom)]

I. I'm. I'm Teflon now. I mean it's like I really. It's like, huh. She just said that it's cool. Whatever.

[Nikki Glaser]

It really is one of the first

[E.J. (Nikki's Dad)]

jokes Nikki did though. She was on last comic standing when she first and she did a show. She said, my mom is a shopaholic. She loves to buy alcohol.

[Julie (Nikki's Mom)]

Yeah. Got that old joke.

[E.J. (Nikki's Dad)]

Julie couldn't go to the store and buy a bottle.

[Julie (Nikki's Mom)]

Couldn't go to the grocery store.

[E.J. (Nikki's Dad)]

She felt bad behind a bottle of vodka.

[Julie (Nikki's Mom)]

And I knew everybody at that grocery store, they're like, oh no. Like, yeah, it's not a big problem, obviously. It just seemed like it.

[Willie Geist]

Well, you both clearly did a great job.

[Nikki Glaser]

Well, thank you.

[Willie Geist]

Not just by encouraging her, but she's such a wonderful person. Too fun to be around.

[Julie (Nikki's Mom)]

Simple means a lot, really. It's easy to be an awe of her. She's a good person. She's a good girl.

[Willie Geist]

Good girl with good parents.

[Julie (Nikki's Mom)]

Willie, thanks so much.

[Willie Geist]

Nice to be with you guys today. It's so fun.

My big thanks again to Nikki for a great conversation and of course to her parents, Julie and ej. You can stream Nikki's stand up special, Good Girl. It's on Hulu now. My thanks to all of you for listening again this week. If you want to hear more of my conversations with our guests every week. Be sure to click follow so you never miss an episode. And and don't forget to tune in to Sunday Today every weekend on NBC to see these interviews with your own two eyes. I'm Willie Geist. We'll see you right back here next week on the Sunday Sit Down Podcast.

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