How Nikki Glaser Parlayed the Tom Brady Roast Into a Golden Globes Gig

Tony Maglio
·4 min read

Just because today’s big headline — “Nikki Glaser to Host the Golden Globes” — feels like it was inevitable, that doesn’t make it any less exciting or deserved.

In May, comedian Nikki Glaser wiped the annoyingly-perfect smile right off of Tom Brady’s smug, beautiful face at Netflix’s live-streaming event “The Roast of Tom Brady.” Though a case could be made that Tony Hinchcliffe (“Kill Tony”) or possibly even Andrew Schulz had (marginally) better jabs, it was Glaser who grabbed the headlines. And then she kept grabbing them: Rave reviews of her monologue by viewers and critics — and most importantly, her fellow comics — led to a whirlwind of press requests for Glaser, including here at IndieWire.

More from IndieWire

In many of those interviews, Glaser was asked about hosting a primetime awards show. She was in, she said, and now she’s in as host of the 82nd Golden Globe Awards. What is it they say about lucky breaks? It’s when preparation (Glaser’s 20 years in standup) meet opportunity: Brady’s roast was Netflix’s most-watched TV show for the week of May 6-12.

The Brady roast was not Glaser’s first or even her second televised roast — it was her fourth. America may not have heard of her, but Glaser was already considered a top roaster. So by the time the self-proclaimed (but earned) “Roastmaster General” Jeff Ross called his protégé up to the Brady dais, the jokes were already there, as was the stage presence. One viral set later, the name recognition is there too.

The Golden Globes are the perfect platform to further elevate Glaser’s rising profile. The Oscars are out of reach — for now, at least — and try as Jimmy Kimmel has, they can be a bit stuffy. (The 2025 Academy Awards are still seeking a host: Kimmel and John Mulaney have both passed.)

The Emmys are too family friendly for Glaser’s brand of comedy — especially considering it is ABC’s (so, Disney’s) turn in the show’s regular broadcast-network rotation. And anyway, the Emmy Awards got its man men weeks ago.

A pair of Emmys hosts, the father-and-son (and “Schitt’s Creek”) team of Eugene Levy and Dan Levy, will do good business for Disney because, well, they’re in business with Disney. Dan Levy’s “Standing Up” is set up at streamer Hulu, which is where Eugene Levy’s four-episode “Only Murders in the Building” arc began just yesterday. Though Dan Levy currently has an overall deal at Netflix, his previous one was with ABC Signature. The platforms that pay handsomely for major awards shows use those platforms to elevate their own talent when possible.

The Golden Globes aired on NBC for a long time, but the contract was dropped after a 2021 exposé revealed that the Hollywood Foreign Press Association — the organization that puts on and votes for the Globes — had exactly zero Black members. An actor boycott and COVID killed the 2022 show and any chance of a new NBC deal. The Golden Globes are now owned by a joint venture between Penske Media Corporation, which also owns IndieWire, and dick clark productions.

For Glaser, this opportunity will do nicely, because she won’t be expected to be nice. Remember, the Golden Globes are the same awards show that Ricky Gervais has hosted five times since 2010, each time with a pint of beer in his hands and a metric ton of barbs on the teleprompter. Oh yeah, the open bar is another reason the Globes are loosey-goosey — as is the show’s positioning as the first major awards show of the season. On January 5, 2025, everyone will still be in a holiday spirit. Until Glaser gets them, that is.

Though she’ll yuck some of the celebs’ yums, Glaser will be a palate cleanser from the 2024 Golden Globes, when fellow comedian Jo Koy tried — and failed — to give the industry-packed room the business. Koy wasn’t cut for the gig, but Glaser is cut from the same cloth as Gervais.

Glaser will bring an anything-can-happen danger to the 2025 Golden Globes. The actors in the audience certainly won’t be off limits — one of Glaser’s best jokes from the Brady roast referenced actress Bridget Moynahan.

“You retired, then you came back, and then you retired again,” Glaser said to Brady of his NFL career. “I mean, I get it — it’s hard to walk away from something that’s not your pregnant girlfriend.”

Brady and “Blue Bloods” star Moynahan broke off a 3-year relationship while she was pregnant with their now-17-year-old son, Jack.

Tune in to the Golden Globes on CBS on January 5 at 8 p.m. ET.

Best of IndieWire

Sign up for Indiewire's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next