Nikki Glaser Won’t Be Roasting Anyone at the Golden Globes (Or Will She?)

Summary

The Run-Through with Vogue: Episode Summary Title: Nikki Glaser Won’t Be Roasting Anyone at the Golden Globes (Or Will She?)
Release Date: January 3, 2025

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Introduction

In this special Friday episode of The Run-Through with Vogue, hosts Chioma Nnadi, head of British Vogue, and Chloe Malle, editor of Vogue.com, welcome comedian and Golden Globes host Nikki Glaser. The episode delves into Glaser's unique journey from being a renowned Roast Queen to hosting the Golden Globes solo—the first solo woman to ever hold this prestigious role.

---

Holiday Reflections and Festivities

Chioma and Chloe share their holiday experiences, highlighting the warmth of family gatherings and festive preparations. Chloe recounts her Christmas break in London, enjoying a low-key family dinner and engaging in fun activities like karaoke at home. She mentions, “[04:18] Chloe: I've seen them on. They're in NoHo or somewhere.” This segment underscores the importance of family and relaxation during the holidays.

Chloe:
“I was mostly in London. Christmas dinner was duck, and my dear friend Rick cooked most of the meal. It was really fun.” [02:23]

Chloe:
“We did karaoke, which was kind of fun.” [04:40]

Chloe:
“I'm cooking something tonight that I've never cooked before that I'm excited about. Spicy crab meat pasta.” [05:17]

Chloe:
“I loved making intentions for others, like sharing the tradition of eating 12 grapes for good luck.” [07:51]

---

New Year’s Resolutions and Intentions

The conversation shifts to New Year's resolutions, with both hosts reflecting on personal goals and aspirations.

Chloe:
“I am trying to cook more.” [05:15]

Chloe:
“Carla, our colleague in head of content for Ferg Mexico, aims to read 50 a year.” [07:04]

Chloe:
“I'm also trying to do my own writing a bit each week.” [07:18]

Chloe:
“I want Graham to cook more.” [07:30]

Chloe:
“Eating grapes is good luck... it's a tradition in Spanish-speaking countries.” [07:51]

---

Upcoming Events and Cultural Trends

The hosts discuss upcoming events and cultural trends, touching on the excitement around the movie season, the return of acclaimed TV shows like White Lotus, and the potential TikTok ban.

Chloe:
“I'm excited about the Super Bowl halftime show with Kendrick Lamar.” [08:48]

Chloe:
“The TikTok ban has been looming for so many years, and it hasn't happened yet.” [10:03]

Chloe:
“Can someone explain to me what a letterbox is?” [11:34]

Chloe:
“White Lotus comes back in February. I cannot wait.” [09:25]

---

In-Depth Conversation with Nikki Glaser

The heart of the episode features an extensive interview with Nikki Glaser, exploring her transition to hosting the Golden Globes, her approach to comedy, and the challenges she faces in balancing humor with sensitivity.

Transition to Golden Globes Host

Nikki Glaser discusses her excitement and the significance of being the first solo female host of the Golden Globes.

Nikki Glaser:
“This is the first time a solo woman has ever hosted the Globes, which is wild to me.” [00:40]

Preparing the Monologue and Testing Jokes

Glaser shares her rigorous preparation process, which includes testing her material at various LA comedy clubs. She emphasizes the importance of gauging audience reactions to refine her jokes.

Nikki Glaser:
“I’m running out every night... and I can do four or five sets in a night if I want.” [14:22]

Nikki Glaser:
“Based on your laughter, it’s gonna decide whether or not I do this.” [15:30]

Balancing Humor and Sensitivity

Glaser delves into the delicate balance of roasting celebrities without crossing into mean-spiritedness, especially since the Golden Globes are not a traditional roast environment.

Nikki Glaser:
“I’m gonna be a little bit more gentle. I could understand how I'll probably feel that way after the roast.” [22:31]

Nikki Glaser:
“I don’t want to make anyone feel uncomfortable or feel like they were called out.” [17:30]

Experiences with Roasting and Handling Criticism

Reflecting on her past experiences as a Roast Queen, Glaser discusses the emotional toll of receiving harsh jokes about herself and how it has shaped her approach to hosting.

Nikki Glaser:
“I felt so sad about something that I forget the one was. But I remember I had just killed.” [35:35]

Nikki Glaser:
“I have to be a Tom Brady rose. I said that to someone.” [26:16]

Views on Social Media and Feedback

Glaser expresses her apprehension towards social media criticism, highlighting her commitment to avoiding negative feedback by staying away from platforms like Instagram and YouTube.

Nikki Glaser:
“I don't like comments. I think it ruins culture.” [32:30]

Nikki Glaser:
“I’m completely sober from it. I have no excuse to ever look in there.” [32:53]

Fashion Choices for the Golden Globes

Addressing the fashion aspect of hosting an awards show, Glaser reveals her intention to embrace a feminine and innocent look, aiming to present herself as approachable and unassuming.

Nikki Glaser:
“I'm steering towards possibly a pink look because I like the idea of looking really feminine and really innocent.” [31:42]

---

Conclusion

The episode concludes with Glaser sharing her excitement for upcoming projects and reflections on her career milestones, including recent awards nominations. The hosts encourage listeners to engage with Vogue through mailbag questions and upcoming special episodes focused on the Golden Globes.

Chloe:
“Join us for our special Golden Globes episode. Send us some questions...” [12:46]

Nikki Glaser:
“Thank you, Nikki. Thanks so much for having me, you guys. Hi.” [39:13]

---

Notable Quotes

• Chloe about hosting solo at the Globes:
  “It is the first time a solo woman has ever hosted the Globes, which is wild to me.” [00:40]

• Nikki Glaser on balancing jokes:
  “I don’t want to make anyone feel uncomfortable or feel like they were called out.” [17:30]

• Nikki Glaser reflecting on past roasts:
  “I’ve never thought I was the most talented person. But you can’t really deny the years you put in.” [22:48]

---

Final Thoughts

This episode offers an insightful look into Nikki Glaser's journey and the complexities of hosting a high-profile event like the Golden Globes. From holiday anecdotes to deep dives into the art of comedy and personal growth, The Run-Through with Vogue provides listeners with a comprehensive and engaging experience.

Transcript

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[Host]

Welcome to a very special Friday episode of the Run Through. It is special for two reasons. First of all, we have the Golden Globes host Nikki Glaser with us today, and she told us all about her transition from Roast Queen to awards host. Fun fact, it's the first time a solo woman has ever hosted the Globes, which is wild to me.

[Choma]

Okay.

[Host]

Because we think of Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, but no one's ever. No woman has ever done it alone, which is kind of wild.

[Choma]

That is wild.

[Host]

And it was amazing and sort of fascinating to hear how she's preparing, what she's planning to wear, what celebrity she thinks she owes an apology to. So stay tuned for that. And secondly, today is extremely special because. Drumroll. We have Ms. Chominati here in the flesh.

[Choma]

Well, hello.

[Host]

Welcome. Choma in one of her artfully distressed cartoons. Is this Balenciaga, too?

[Choma]

No, this is Margiela Men's. Oh, so good. It's like the last of them, right? Because John's not doing it anymore.

[Host]

Oh, yeah, it's true.

[Choma]

Yeah.

[Host]

Was this always this distressed or has it become more distressed with wear?

[Choma]

No, this is always this distressed. This is relatively new, like a year old.

[Host]

See, Choma, it's a grandpa cardigan that is knit in an argyle pattern but has threads coming all over the place.

[Choma]

Yeah. Sorry, Mr. Havisham.

[Host]

Mr. Havisham. You don't hear a lot about Mr. Havisham.

[Choma]

No, you don't.

[Host]

The late Mr. Havisham. Shoma. Tell me about your break. I feel like I saw pictures on Instagram of you in London and yet I knew you were here.

[Choma]

Well, I was mostly in London. I've only just touched down. I see, I see. So. So it was really fun. It was really fun. Christmas dinner was duck. And my dear friend Rick, you've met, was really the main. I was like a sous chef. Like, he cooked most of the meal and it was just for family and it was really fun.

[Host]

Oh, that's so nice.

[Choma]

Yeah, it was really low key. How about you?

[Host]

Well, I have to say, the last week before break, I felt very frenetic and I was kind of like, ugh, I wish I was just staying in New York and not going to LA and sort of having to pack and wrap all my gifts and figure out how Santa was gonna get to Los Angeles and all these things. And then we got to la, where I have family and my mom was there and it was really nice and not hot, but sunny and lovely. And it was the week that it was like 12 degrees in New York, which cold weather in New York seemed terrible in my twenties, but now that I have to do something with toddlers, it's like much worse. So I was very grateful to be able to take them just to run around on the sand, on the beach, even if ocean was not in a situation. Although we did run into one of my uncle's friends who was coming out, having just gone surfing in the ocean as we were like, standing at the water's edge. And he was like, I just saw a baby white, great white breaching. And I was like, well, we will not be going in the ocean. And New Year's Eve, I just. I say that I celebrated on French time.

[Choma]

So what time did you go to bed? Did you even see New Year?

[Friend]

Oh, frick.

[Host]

Absolutely not. A couple of my best friends came over. One of them has a son, Romeo, who is Alice's age. And they came over at 4:30. We had margaritas and some tinned fish. You know, there's that new tinned fish company, the Fish Wife, and it has, like, really nice branding.

[Nikki Glaser]

Yes.

[Host]

They have like delicious smoked salmon and like chili peppers, whatever.

[Choma]

I've seen them on. They're in NoHo or somewhere.

[Host]

They were like on every gift guide. And I was sort of seduced. But yeah, so we had margaritas at 4:30pm and the kids went to bed at 7:30 and I went to bed at 9 and I felt great.

[Choma]

I wasn't far behind you. But we did karaoke, which was kind of fun.

[Host]

That was fun.

[Choma]

Yeah, it was quite fun.

[Host]

Were you here or in.

[Choma]

I was here.

[Host]

Oh, that's so fun.

[Choma]

It was really fun.

[Host]

And where do you do karaoke?

[Choma]

At home, because we have a projector.

[Nikki Glaser]

Oh, so fun.

[Choma]

And there's a DJ booth, so. So we're very much equipped to do karaoke in a really big way.

[Host]

Wow. How many were you just left?

[Choma]

There were just four of us. So that was a very. It was.

[Host]

What was your best song?

[Choma]

My best song was When Doves cry.

[Host]

You want to do a bar for us?

[Choma]

No.

[Host]

Do you have any New Year's intentions?

[Choma]

I don't, actually. I am trying to cook more.

[Host]

Oh, that's good.

[Choma]

Yeah, I'm cooking something tonight that I've never cooked before that I'm excited about. Spicy crab meat pasta.

[Host]

Wow.

[Choma]

Yeah.

[Host]

Impressive.

[Choma]

Yeah, well, it's not. It's so easy. I mean, I'll let you know. I'll let you know how it turns out, but it looks like easy.

[Host]

Where's the recipe from?

[Choma]

My mom used to cook this recipe.

[Host]

Interesting.

[Choma]

She made it for us as kids, and then I remembered part of it, and I looked it up, and there's like. There's variations of it everywhere. It's basically like chilies. Lots of parsley, lemon, a little splash of white wine, lots of olive oil.

[Host]

Oh, that sounds very good.

[Choma]

And some crab meat. Yeah, it's good. I'll let you know how it goes.

[Host]

Okay. Artie found a little crab exoskeleton on the beach, and now he wants to eat crabs. Maybe this is the thing.

[Choma]

This is the way to do it. How about you? Do you have any?

[Host]

I feel like I have so many New Year's resolutions, and none of them are gonna happen, but I'm like, what are they? I want to be more patient. I want to be more quiet. I want to.

[Choma]

Why?

[Host]

Why don't I just feel like I need to think before I speak?

[Choma]

Okay, fair enough.

[Host]

I want to read more books.

[Choma]

That is one I would love to do more.

[Host]

I feel like between the New Yorker, New York Magazine, and the New York Times Magazine, I just like, by the time I finish them, it's the next week again. And so I'm starting again. And I read Claire Keegan's book Small Things like these.

[Choma]

Small Things Like These. Okay.

[Host]

But it reminded me that it's. I really need to read fiction again. And you know what? I'm finally reading all of these books. 50.

[Choma]

Oh, you're going to love it. I wish I could read it again.

[Host]

I'm so excited.

[Choma]

Carla, our colleague in of head of content of Ferg Mexico, aims to read 50 a year. I don't think I read that many books a year.

[Host]

Do you read 50 books a year? Carla has older children and she travels a lot. How does she do it?

[Choma]

50 books a year.

[Host]

That's a lot.

[Choma]

Yeah.

[Host]

Yeah. A book a week. I. I guess I know a lot of people who read a book a week.

[Choma]

Wow.

[Host]

But it's not part of my journey right now.

[Choma]

Right.

[Host]

I'm also trying to do my own writing a bit each week. I feel like I have not done that. It's hard since I took this job.

[Choma]

It's hard. Yeah, it's hard.

[Host]

I'm glad that you're going to cook more. My resolution is that Graham should cook more.

[Choma]

Okay. You. Do you cook a lot?

[Host]

Not at all. But I'd like him to cook more.

[Choma]

I love this. I love this.

[Host]

I like to make intentions for others. I mean I. We did a piece on like why eating grapes is good luck and it did very over the holiday and I do feel like I've seen it more and more.

[Choma]

Yeah. Why is it good luck?

[Host]

It's like it's a tradition. It's a superstition in Spanish speaking countries. The idea is that you eat 12 grapes for good luck and you get one month of good luck per grape. I thought that it was supposed to be that they need to be eaten within a minute on the stroke of midnight. That's more your style. Irene Kim tried to do that last year. Like almost choked, but yeah. So please don't try this at home. Be safe.

[Choma]

I think I could do that quite comfortably. 12 grapes in a minute. Yeah, that's not that bad.

[Host]

No, it's okay.

[Choma]

Yeah. So what are you looking forward to this year? I'm excited about the super bowl. Even though I won't be able to. I don't know if I'll be able to watch it in real time.

[Host]

Oh, is that true? You can't watch it in the. Oh, just cause of time change.

[Choma]

Yeah. I don't know where it streams. I don't think it. Maybe. I'm sure I could watch it probably, theoretically. But I'm not. I'm not. I'm not a night owl.

[Host]

I might even not do that.

[Choma]

I'm excited though for the halftime. For the halftime show with Kendrick Lamar.

[Host]

That's.

[Choma]

That's my. And I'm really excited for the Golden Globes.

[Host]

Yeah, I'm excited for the Golden Globes. I think this would be a fun awards season. I do feel like we were talking about this in pitch meeting this morning that people are going to the movies this season in a way I haven't seen in a few years. Like my sister in law and her boyfriend were visiting this week and they went to see the Brutalist and Nosferatu and both movies were sold out and they had to check two different theaters. Which is. The Brutalist is not a movie that I thought people would be swarming to. Even Wallace and Gromit was packed.

[Choma]

Really.

[Host]

So I do Feel like there is this excitement about movies as events again. We also have good TV coming up. White Lotus comes back in February. Yes.

[Choma]

I cannot wait. But we have to wait till February. It's too long.

[Host]

Fear not. February will be here in not one wink.

[Choma]

Are we talking February 1st or February 29th?

[Host]

Great question. Oh, it is.

[Nikki Glaser]

It's a leap year.

[Host]

It's a leap year.

[Choma]

Oh, crap.

[Host]

Okay. And Severance, which I didn't watch, but people liked.

[Choma]

Oh, I haven't seen that. What other movies are like trying to.

[Host]

Think what the big, big things are.

[Choma]

Oh, I want to see Conclave, and I don't think a lot of people have seen that, but that's true.

[Host]

But I think it's getting a lot of. A lot of attention, and I think that's going to be a big one. Do you think the TikTok ban is actually going to happen?

[Choma]

The TikTok ban?

[Host]

Here?

[Nikki Glaser]

No.

[Host]

People are worried.

[Choma]

Do you think so?

[Host]

I mean, influencers are concerned.

[Choma]

I don't know. I think they're going to find a way around it. And I also feel that, I don't know they'll find a way around it.

[Nikki Glaser]

This.

[Choma]

This TikTok ban has been looming for so many years, and it hasn't happened. I mean, when I think about the influence that TikTok has, I. I've been walking past this one block that was always completely empty, and now there's a line around the block, and it's for a photo booth because it got. Went viral on TikTok.

[Host]

That is crazy.

[Choma]

And people were waiting on January 1st in the freezing cold for. I mean, there were just. There was like a. Lines and lines of people for a photo booth.

[Host]

People have lost the plot.

[Choma]

I know. It's too much. It's too much. I mean, I'm here for TikTok, but not for the TikTok Crazy trends. I mean, on that note, what do you think of, like, In N Out lists? I feel like they've been flowing.

[Host]

Oh, my God. They need to be gone.

[Choma]

They're out.

[Host]

They're out, out, In N Out lists. Emma Spector and I were talking about this this morning, and I was like, the only thing that's in and out for me is In N Out burger. That's always in.

[Choma]

How did I guess.

[Host]

But we were talk. And I feel like it's come up a few times as we've been discussing, like, parasocial relationships as we see, like, everyone had such strong feelings about Barry Keoghan and Sabrina Carpenter breakup and Selena Gomez's engagement with The Charli xcx, her letterbox account was leaked and everyone saw.

[Choma]

Can someone explain to me what a letterbox is?

[Host]

Basically Choma. I don't actually use letterboxd, but I should. Letterbox is. It's like Goodreads for movies where you send log the movies you've watched and give reviews and you can share those reviews and your movie log with your like LinkedIn community basically.

[Choma]

Oh, got it, got it.

[Host]

I mean not literally your LinkedIn but it's like that kind of. It's a social network for movie watchers. And Charlie had hers private, but it was leaked her reviews of different movies.

[Choma]

Anything like controversial or.

[Host]

No, but people were saying that it was all felt like very in character for Charlie. And then we were wondering like, is this part of her transition to actress because she's gonna be in all these movies in 2025, I guess. And how like the culture you consume defines you as helps contribute to your brand as a media personality and celebrity.

[Choma]

Okay, I'm here for the theory of it.

[Host]

On Monday morning we will be here bright eyed and bushy tailed, ready to talk about all of our best dressed best moments, biggest snubs, biggest wins. Join us for our special Golden Globes episode.

[Choma]

You've also been sending such great mailbag questions and we actually read every single one of them. This week is going to be our last push for questions. So don't delay. Send us some questions and ask us or any other members of the Vogue team to answer your fashion, beauty or lifestyle questions. And you can email [e-mail] with your questions or leave a comment on Spotify or in a review on Apple.

[Host]

We'll be back in just a minute with Emma Spector and my conversation with Nikki Glaser. Ready to add a touch of Vogue to your collection? Browse shop.vogue.com for exclusive merch like limited edition mugs. And here's a treat, get an exclusive 15% discount with code Vogue Pod15 at checkout. Happy shopping.

[Nikki Glaser]

Hi, how are you?

[Host]

Nice to meet you.

[Choma]

Thank you guys.

[Nikki Glaser]

Thanks.

[Co-host]

You look so great.

[Nikki Glaser]

Thank you. Yeah, I just came from the View.

[Host]

What else is on the agenda for this trip?

[Nikki Glaser]

This is the last thing before I head to the airport. So this New York trip was like a press. Where are you heading? Back to LA. I'm from St. Louis, I live in St. Louis, but I'm in LA right now preparing for the Golden Globes. So I'm out there because there's so many comedy clubs I can just run around and do sets all the time. And test material.

[Co-host]

Do you have a few?

[Host]

Oh, that's interesting. So you're testing glows material out in la?

[Nikki Glaser]

Yeah, like, I'm running out every night. And, like, I do, like, the triangle of clubs. Like, I stay right in the middle of it, but it's like the Improv Comedy Store, Laugh Factory, and I just jump from each of them, and I can do, like, four or five sets in a night if I want. And I just, you know, walk on stage and I go, hey, guys, I'm hosting the Golden Globes, and do you mind if I run some jokes? Please don't tell anyone these jokes. And you know what?

[Host]

If someone records it and posts it.

[Co-host]

Do they do that, like, scary code.

[Nikki Glaser]

That you put your phone in? I just trust. I kind of. I don't know. I'm the same way with literally my purse and my things. Like, I just trust people not to steal. And if it's. If they do, I'll be disappointed in the world. But it hasn't. It hasn't not worked out for me yet.

[Host]

What else is Globes Prep? Like, I feel like it's like marathon vibes. Like, you're really in Last stretch.

[Nikki Glaser]

That's. It's so marathon. Like, literally. I mean, I've never trained for a marathon, but, like, some days you can't run the. The 20 miles or whatever, and you're never doing the full 26. But, like, some days is like one mile. So, like, last night, I only did one set, and I walk on stage and I just go, hey, I'm gonna run some jokes. And then I deliver the jokes, and I say, based on your laughter, is gonna decide whether or not I do this. Which I think is kind of cool for audiences because I'm like, then watch it on CBS on January 5th. And then if you hear a joke that you liked tonight and I do it that night, you can literally tell your friends, like, I told her to do that.

[Choma]

I cosigned that.

[Nikki Glaser]

Yeah, because they did so.

[Host]

And are there a lot of times where you can tell? It's like, ooh, this joke is not landing.

[Nikki Glaser]

Yeah. You know, usually it's because either the joke isn't just properly written or my delivery is off. I stumble over a word. Or it's like, they don't know what these nominees are. Like, people are just consuming so much media right now that we're not all locked into the same movies in the same tv. Like, it's just. It's. You know, Amelia Perez is a movie that's it's on Netflix, and it came out in November, and It's nominated for 10 awards, and it stars Selena Gomez, but I can't find a single person in my life who's seen it. It's a little bit of a tough. A tricky thing, because really the only subject matter in the monologue where everyone's kind of like, on board with the subject and I don't have to explain the plot line before I make the joke is Wick. And then, like, obviously, like, Timothee Chalamet, Nicole Kidman, Selena Gomez. So it's gonna be about, like, more pointing out the celebrities there. So much of these jokes is based on the reaction that the celebrities make. So I could make a joke that's a 10 out of 10. And if the person that I'm making about mean mugs me, anyone at home, we're really susceptible subconsciously to influence by how other people perceive things. Like, that's how we judge whether we like something is like reading the comments, seeing how many likes are on a video. Like, as much as we wanna go, no, I form my own opinion. Like, we are desperate to find out what other people think before we think about it. And so if they're not smiling after a joke, people will. Even if they love the joke, they'll be like, that joke sucked. Like, so I have to kind of cater the jokes to make sure these people are gonna laugh at them, just so the audience at home even laughs.

[Co-host]

It's quite a tightrope.

[Host]

That's interesting, but that makes sense.

[Nikki Glaser]

I don't wanna make anyone feel uncomfortable or feel like they were called out. And I certainly, you know, I watch these and I see the hosts say, like, you know, Timothee Chalamet is here. And then everyone applauds. And you just see Timothy, like, in the shot being like, what's coming down the pike. And so there's so many factors to consider that are. That I'm not used to with just regular standup where it's like, you know, it only matters what if the audience laughs or not. It's not, like, based on someone's reaction, one person's reaction, who the camera's gonna go to afterwards.

[Host]

Well, I would think that the. The roast, the Tom Brady roast, would prepare well for that.

[Nikki Glaser]

Yeah, it did. Just of, like, the high stakes, the live aspect of it. We're there to celebrate people. But that's after my monologue. My monologue is a comedy moment. That is a monologue. So it's just gonna be pretty rapid fire right now. It's just writing hundreds of jokes and sifting through them and trying to find the best ones in the best order. And it's a ton of work.

[Co-host]

Do you generally have an internal sense of, like, if a joke is too edgy, or is it more like audience reaction kind of.

[Host]

Or do you have, like, one person who you have read your jokes and you're like, it's too mean, like your mom or something.

[Co-host]

Lighten it onto a thing.

[Nikki Glaser]

Yeah, I think the audience. That's why I'm trying them out. I think I get a sense of, like, where it's like, whoa, too much. But I think I've. Because I've been doing it so long and just have performed in front of crowds for so many years, I just have a good sense of what people like and what they don't like. And I. And I. And when it comes to celebrities, I'm really sensitive to how sensitive celebrities are. Like, everyone wants me to just go in there and like, you're. Go. Go for blood. Because I think most of us kind of resent the elite Hollywood, you know, people who think they're better than us and are so smug, even though we worship them. There's, like, this. People really want me to let them have it. And it's easy for people to say they're not me and don't have to have the backlash. And they're like, just do it, Nikki. Just go. Just go hard, full throttle. And I'm like, yeah, well, I'm gonna. That's bad advice. Maybe on the third time I host, when I'm ready to go away. Ricky Gervais, when he hosted, and everyone goes, that was amazing. He roasted everyone. That was his last time. And he knew it was his last time. And he kept saying, I don't care. I'm not doing this again. I don't care. And so that's fitting for that. But I can't come out there and go, I don't care. Cause I do care. This is my first time. I'd like to do this again and again. And, you know, people don't know me as well as Ricky. Like, people do know of me, but it's like a lot of those celebrities have probably never heard of me. These A listers and are. Even if they have are like, who are you to make fun of me? You know, so it's, it's, it's delicate.

[Host]

Any time where you've really regretted going too far?

[Nikki Glaser]

Not yet. To be honest with you, I didn't read it specifically, but I had caught Wind that maybe Gisele was, like, a little bit hurt by her being mentioned at the Tom Brady roast. And I did have a joke in which I had painted her in a sexual position with her new boyfriend.

[Host]

Yes.

[Nikki Glaser]

And I was a fan. Thank you. Even when I. That joke was put in front of me, I didn't write that joke, but I chose to tell it. And it was killing in the clubs. And I was still questioning it. Cause I'm like, she's not there, you know, and it's not really fair to paint her in this sexual light when she hasn't been. And for us all to now picture her in this, you know, pornographic situation. But then I was like, it's also with her boyfriend, who she's with and loves. And so I'm rationalizing it in my head, like, it's not so bad, and it makes her look good in the end. But there was a part of me that goes, I don't know that she'll like this. And I still did it, even though I knew that. And then it turns out she probably didn't. And I think that was probably one of the jokes she was referencing. She didn't say it specifically, but that she didn't love and felt uncomfortable with. And there was a part of me that was like, yeah, yeah, that's fair. Like, she has a right to feel that way. And I would probably. I'd probably do owe her an apology. But, yeah, there's things like that where I go and there's jokes at the Globe, this Coming Globes that I can probably. I will look back on and say, maybe I shouldn't have done that, because there's just no one at the roast. You're signing up to be there. Gisele didn't. That's another case. She wasn't there. But, like everyone there, I've never gone too far because they're there.

[Co-host]

Yeah, they're asking you to kind of do worse.

[Nikki Glaser]

This is precedented. You know, there's. There's. I've roasted before. They can go watch my sets and see how hard I go. And if you don't think I'm going to find stuff about you to go that hard on, then you're delusional, and you almost deserve it then in a different way for thinking you're better than me going this hard. So.

[Choma]

So.

[Nikki Glaser]

But the Golden Globes is different because they're. It's not a roast, and they're not being paid to be there to be roasted, so I got to be a little bit more gentle. So I could understand how I'll probably feel that way after the roast of, like, I maybe shouldn't have gone that hard. And I'll only feel that way if it doesn't go well. If it goes well, I'll be like, yeah, I definitely should have before that.

[Co-host]

Well, this is such an incredible year for your work. And, I mean, you've been nominated for an Emmy, a Grammy, a Golden Globe, and a Critics Choice Award for someday you'll die, your comedy special. And I'm curious, did you feel like any of this was on the horizon as you headed into this year? Or like. Or maybe what are you looking to get out of next year?

[Nikki Glaser]

You know, like, every year, they're kind of like, this is gonna be your year. I think it's been happening for, like, 15 years of my career, and finally, it actually did happen. But I had a feeling about the. The Tom Brady Roast is really what, like, cracked everything open. My special came out a week after that, and I. I do think the fanfare around that was connected to the Tom Brady Roast. People more eyes were on it. People kind of knew who I was. It wasn't as shocking, maybe. I think for the first time in 2023, when I was, you know, making that special was the first time I started to feel, like, a lot of confidence in what I was doing and being like, oh, I really belong. I'm not an imposter. I've always never thought I was the most talented person. But you can't really deny the years you put in. Like, that's something that you can't go. Well, that doesn't. Cause all I know is that years and doing it, like, repetition. You can't avoid getting good. So just based solely on how hard I've worked, I should be good. So I was able to let it sink in a little bit. And then that confidence kind of just when you. You can't ever fake it. I really don't think you can fake confidence. But when you suddenly, like, like yourself and appreciate the work you've put in and feel like you deserve to be what you're doing. Cause I think I've always felt like I feel bad they're spending all this money on these lights and this set design. Like, I should just put this on YouTube. Like, I've always kind of felt like that. But this HBO special, I just like, yes, this was the first time I was like, no, I deserve to be there. And it's really about, like, I brought my boyfriend in as, like, kind of my producing partner. Cause he's always been the person. He produces live tv. We've done sep, you know, projects together, but worked separately a lot. This was the first time he actually produced on it. So he, like, made me believe it and produce and create the special from a place of, like, let's make a special that makes you look like a star. And then for the Tom Brady roast, like, I just knew. I knew it was gonna be a huge deal. It was Tom Brady. It was like, no one this high profile has ever done a roast before. I mean, maybe Justin Bieber, but no one that's, like, so protected, that's never had a sense of humor about themselves, that isn't, like, already kind of a punchline, has ever done a roast. Yeah, totally. I was like, I gotta get on this, because I didn't even wanna do roasts anymore because it had been a few years, and in that time, I had gotten closer to 40. And when you get in your late 30s as a woman on these roasts, they just start calling you old and ugly and whatever, then h. Whatever they want to say. And I was like, I really don't feel like having a bunch of crap being said about me, no matter how, like, how well I do and how much crap I talk. Like, it just doesn't. It really hurt. It would hurt my feelings every time I did a roast, no matter how great they were for my career. I was like, it's not worth it.

[Host]

Like, that's interesting.

[Nikki Glaser]

I feel, like, sad afterwards. And just all these people are laughing at the fact that I look like Larry Bird. Like, it hurt my soul. So I was like, I'm not gonna do one again. But then Tom Brady was announced, and I was, like, texting with the head of comedy at Netflix, who's a friend of mine, and I was like, can I please do the roast? And he's like, I don't know. You know, Tom's gonna choose, and it's gonna be up to the. And I go, you tell Tom Brady I'm the Tom Brady of roasting. And I don't even know. I was literally probably, like, eating hummus with my fingers when I was, like, saying that. Like, you know, like, I was probably in my bathrobe, like, bent over with dog hair all over me, being like, I'm Tom Brady of roasting. Like, who am I to be, like, saying something like that? But you have those. The little moments you have where you actually do have confidence in yourself and believe in yourself, even if they're just, like, for 30 seconds every couple months, like, that can push something forward. That I'm like, okay, I guess I have to be the Tom Brady rose. I said that to someone.

[Co-host]

Put yourself out there.

[Nikki Glaser]

Yeah, but did I believe that a minute later? Probably not.

[Co-host]

Does Tom Brady believe every minute that he's Tom Brady?

[Nikki Glaser]

I bet not. It's true. And that's what I kind of meant by that, is that he was. I didn't really know.

[Host]

And then you became like the Taylor Swift of roasting.

[Nikki Glaser]

Yeah, exactly. Like, I did know what it was like to be Taylor Swift for like one, one or two days. Like after the roast, my face was everywhere. Like, as a Swifty, I know how much she shows up in our feeds. And that was like me for a day. Like, I was in line. Anywhere I went, there were people on their phones that had me on their phones. Coming up. It was just like two days of that. And it was like. It was incredible and also overwhelming and. Yeah, but it that. That roast changed my life for sure. I'm Nomi Fry.

[Nomi Fry]

I'm Vincent Cunningham.

[Friend]

I'm Alex Schwartz. And we are Critics at Large, a podcast from the New Yorker. Guys, what do we do on the show every week?

[Nomi Fry]

We look into the startling maw of our culture and try to figure something out.

[Friend]

That's right. We take something that's going on in the culture now. Maybe it's a movie, maybe it's a book. Maybe it's just kind of a trend that we see floating in the ether.

[Host]

And we expand it across culture as kind of a pattern or a template.

[Nomi Fry]

We talked about the midlife crisis, starting with a new book by Miranda July. But then we kind of ended up talking about Dante's Inferno.

[Host]

You know, we talked about Kate Middleton, her so called disappearance. And from that we moved into right wing conspiracy theories.

[Nomi Fry]

Alex basically promised to explain to me why everybody likes the Beatles.

[Friend]

You know, we've also noticed that advice is everywhere. Advice columns, advice giving. And we kind of want to look at why. Join us on Critics at Large from the New Yorker. New episodes drop every Thursday. Follow wherever you get your podcasts.

[Vincent Cunningham]

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[Host]

On vogue.com this year was piece where Lila Ramsey interviewed you about attending 22.

[Nikki Glaser]

Oh that's right, Taylor Swift concerts. Oh my God, such a fun. Like that was one of my favorite interviews of the year. I love talking about Taylor Swift.

[Host]

I want to know how are you feeling? Are you feeling postpartum?

[Nikki Glaser]

Like ERAS tour is over after I actually needed this. That's a lot of shows. I'm saying it obviously ironically that I need a break. Cause it was a lot. But I'm not even joking. It was exhausting because I'm also on tour. So I would do shows Thursday in a city, fly to a different city Friday, do a show, fly to a different city Saturday, and then Sunday I would always find whatever Sunday show she was available and fly to go see her. So it was like, it was like a part of my tour and I would fly my mom out and make sure she got there okay.

[Host]

So you go to all of them with your mom?

[Nikki Glaser]

She went to 10 of them with me. I went to yeah, 22 shows total.

[Host]

Did you swap friendship bracelets with kids?

[Nikki Glaser]

Tons. Yeah. Oh yeah. Which I found to be so adorable. But also I'm just like, like some of the bracelets people gave me were really inappropriate. Like people made me bracelets with like, you know, someday you'll die written on them or something or like, you know, like funny bitch or whatever. Like, like quotes. Like then I would trade them with these little girls and be like choose one. I'm like, oh God, not that one. Yes. So, so, so it was adorable, but so special. Like the, that's, that's the thing I love about her shows the most is just like being around other Swifties. And I, I feel bad for people who did Swifties who didn't get to go to ERAS tours. Like. But I will say that before going to ERAS tours, I was going to these Swifties Sing along nights.

[Host]

Oh wow.

[Nikki Glaser]

Fun in different cities. I would, you know, stay an extra day after my tour. I would always check, like. Cause they were going on a lot and they still go on, but they are, I'm not gonna say just as fun as eras tours, but. But that's what I'll continue going to do to get that vibe of, like, the camaraderie with all of the. With all the swifties, like, just singing along. Like, that's what you want. And at a sing along, you don't have to watch her. You can, like, watch each other. Like at a. At a show, you're just, like, glued to her and you're like, I can't look down. Like, you barely even see anyone else there. Go to those sing alongs. Don't count those out as, like, not valuable, swifty experiences that make you feel as if you had experienced eras too, because they are so, so fulfilling.

[Host]

Okay, this is a fashion podcast, obviously. I want to know. I feel like dressing to host an awards show is a gargantuan task.

[Nikki Glaser]

What is.

[Host]

What eras are you. What area are you channeling for the globes? Like, what is the vibe going to be?

[Nikki Glaser]

You know, I'm. I'm thinking I'm steering towards possibly a pink look because I like the idea of looking really feminine and really, like, innocent. Like Glinda the Innocent Assassins. I would never make fun of you. I'm just here to celebrate all of you. And I'm a pretty girl that, you know, has never thought a bad thing in her life. And I wouldn't. Unless a man permitted me to tell a joke, I wouldn't even dare do it. I like the idea of, like, it's unassuming and it lulls him into a sense of security as an audience that she's too. She looks too pretty and nice to be mean. So there's something really fun about that. So I'm thinking about that.

[Co-host]

Then you come at him. Is there any celebrity or comedian that you most hope would roast you?

[Nikki Glaser]

Ooh, no. I hate being roasted. I literally can't take criticism. I don't like any feedback. I don't read. I have been sober from Internet comments for, I would say over five years. Probably more like, I don't Instagram. I sometimes will look because that's probably the most friends I have. And, like, people aren't as ruthless there.

[Co-host]

But what are you gonna learn? Even, like, YouTube, right?

[Nikki Glaser]

You like, there's good stuff there for sure, but. But the good stuff is never good enough, as we know. Cause I'm just an insecure person and the mean stuff stays with you forever. And I hate comments. I think it ruins culture. I think people don't understand there was a time where you didn't know how everyone felt about something as soon as you looked at it. But, yeah, I just do not indulge in it myself at all. I think it's just. It's like, when I quit drinking, I'm like, it's fun, but it always makes me feel bad. I can't. I just have to be completely sober from it. Like, absolutely no excuse to ever look in there, because it's never, ever done anything good for me. So, yeah, I don't read those. And I forget what the question was.

[Co-host]

Oh, just who would you want to roast you?

[Nikki Glaser]

So I can't handle. I can't handle any. Like, I still think about some of the jokes that have been made about me, like, from roast six years ago, and I. They still haunt me. And, you know, I'm still see them when I look in the mirror. Like, they will uncover things about you that you don't even know about yourself. Like. Or it's like a thing you've always, like, been like, yeah, I think this about me, but I'm just really mean to me. No one else has noticed that. And they're like, oh, fuck, they did too. Like, there will be times when stuff has come out, so I just. I wouldn't want it at all. I hate it. It's my least favorite part of the show. When I'm, like, at a roast and I see my name come up on the teleprompter, I'm like, oh, here we go. How bad's this gonna be? And then you, like, laugh politely and you just try to black it out. I mean, I think I cried at one of the after parties because I was, like, so sad about something that I forget what the one was. But I remember I had just killed. It was. It was. I think the roast of. It was probably my first roast. Cause I didn't. It didn't even occur to me. I remember on the red carpet right before that first roast of. I think it was Rob Lowe. Someone goes, so how do you feel about the jokes that are gonna be made about you tonight? And I was like, oh, no. I hadn't even thought about it. Like, I had been working so hard on my set, and they were right to even ask me about it, because it really. I would love to say, oh, it's just a joke. Nothing ever really lands. And we don't take it personally, but we absolutely do and that's why.

[Host]

Do you remember what it was, though?

[Nikki Glaser]

I think the one. That one was probably about me not being funny or. Or it was. And then. Oh, I think Pete Davidson had one. Oh. It was about how I don't have an ass. And I really thought that was something that I just, like. I mean, I knew I didn't, and I know I don't, but, like, he. The fact that Pete Davidson had taken that in and, like, sat with it, and, like, I can't. I sat with it, too, and it hurts because I don't have an ass. But the fact that he had really thought about it, or you're like, maybe someone wrote the joke for him and he'd have to think about it at all, but he at least had to be like, that works for her. It just, like, it hurt me.

[Co-host]

But it's crazy that in order to roast, you have to kind of open yourself up to being roasted.

[Nikki Glaser]

And that's. I think that's one of the reasons why I feel like I can get away with it is because, like, well, I'm putting myself up here and open to this stuff, too, so I should be able to say what I want. Totally. Yeah. But it really is a part of it that sucks so, so deeply.

[Co-host]

I don't want Pete Davidson to ever notice my ass or lack thereof. Yeah.

[Nikki Glaser]

No. And then I think Cybill shepherd had a joke about me at the Bruce Willis roast that was like, I saw Nikki backstage. I walked into the bathroom, and I saw her from behind, and I was like, oh, my God, that's a model. And then she turned around, and I go, oh, comedian? And it was like, oh, like, well.

[Co-host]

Comedians are beautiful now. So that's actually true.

[Nikki Glaser]

I don't think that was the point of her joke. But, yes, it, like. Like, you know, it's really more about, like, the audience reaction to a joke that hurts more like, when. Cause sometimes you say a joke, and there's not that much truth in it. So the. Like, a lot of times at these roasts, they would write jokes about me not being funny because they just didn't know who I was. I was just a female on the dais. And, like, you know, whatever. Robert De Niro doesn't know who I was. So he was just like, oh, yeah, I'll pick this joke about a woman not being funny. And then I would go up first, I would kill. And then the joke doesn't make sense anymore because I just proved that wrong. And so they would be doing the jokes, and I could see one time I think Dom Herrera was, like, doing his monologue or, like, doing his roast jokes, and I saw one about me not being funny. He goes, ah, skip that one. And I was like, yes. Because he knew it wasn't gonna resonate. But then. But then they say a joke where, like, Blake Griffin said I looked like Larry Bird. And the response to the crowd was so overwhelming, like, it killed so hard that I was like, I can't deny that. And so I definitely. I went to. That was like, the first time I ever went and got, like, you know, injections in my face in a way that was like, let's restructure things. And so, yeah, there's consequences for sure.

[Co-host]

Is there a comedy special you watched recently that, like, really makes you laugh?

[Nikki Glaser]

Yeah. Who's. Dave Attell's is amazing. It's on Netflix. It's like, the most. I just love rapid fire jokes. I'm. I'm. I really don't like comedians who pace around and really, like, sit in their laughs. Like, I don't know about you, but I'm tired of applause breaks. I'm like, I'm not home on my couch fucking applauding. So can we just, like, cut to the next joke? Like, I can keep up. I don't need to watch you just simmer. And how amazing that joke was, and it really wasn't even that good. You just made a face that made everyone go, I guess we have to applaud now. But Dave Attell, Neal Brennan, I think had the special of the year, his latest special on Netflix. I could not recommend it more. Who did I just watch? Rachel Feinstein, Big guy on Netflix. Rachel Feinstein is one of my favorite comedians of all time. Nick Griffin has an amazing free1 on YouTube that you can go watch. And. Yeah, those. But I love standup specials. I thought Adam Sandler's was really fun. Adam Sandler, 100% fresh on Netflix, I think is one of the best ones ever. His, like, incorporation of. Of music. Bo Burnham does that really well as. As well. But, yeah, those are some that come to mind. Yeah.

[Host]

Well, we're gonna wrap because.

[Nikki Glaser]

Oh, my God.

[Host]

Hard out.

[Nikki Glaser]

I know I have to go to. I have to go fly back to la. So I got a flight. Otherwise, if. If it was another media outlet waiting for me, I would tell them, push it, because I. I would stay here with you guys all day. Thank you, Nikki. Thanks so much for having me, you guys. Hi.

[Host]

Happy New Year. The Run through is produced by Chelsea Daniel, Alex DePalma, and Joanna Solotarov. It's engineered by Jake Loomis and James Yost. It is mixed by Mike Kutchman. Stephanie Karaoke is our executive producer and Chris Bannon is Conde Nast's head of Global audio.

[Choma]

From prx.