Nikki Glaser Names Julia Roberts the One Star She “Can’t” Roast — America’s Sweetheart Off‑Limits as Golden Globes Host
Golden Globes host Nikki Glaser, preparing for the 2026 ceremony in Los Angeles, revealed on CBS Mornings that jokes about Julia Roberts consistently draw boos in LA clubs, forcing her to treat the actress as largely off‑limits.
Key takeaways
- Nikki Glaser returns as Golden Globes host and is testing monologue material in LA clubs; audience reaction shapes what stays.
- Any joke about Julia Roberts reportedly drew boos, prompting Glaser to call her “America’s Sweetheart” and effectively untouchable.
- Glaser contrasted awards‑night restraint with harsher roast environments, saying she leaves the mean material for roasts.
- The approach can affect production, local workers and audience expectations across Southern California, including the Inland Empire.
Testing jokes in LA clubs
Glaser told CBS Mornings she’s been trying out material around Los Angeles while writing the Golden Globes monologue. These club tests serve as a live poll — they help her decide which jokes land and which should be cut before the broadcast.
She said that whenever she mentioned Julia Roberts during club sets, the room pushed back. According to the interview excerpt, audiences booed when Roberts was brought up, signaling a strong negative reaction to jokes about the actress.
“I was like, ‘Is she here? It’s insane,'” Glaser said, underscoring how strong the reaction was.
See the CBS Mornings clip of the interview for Glaser’s full remarks.
Why Roberts is “untouchable”
Glaser described Roberts as the one A‑lister she “doesn’t dare to roast.” The comedian framed the situation around audience affection: Roberts’ long career and public image make her a protected cultural figure for many viewers.
By dubbing Roberts “America’s Sweetheart”, Glaser acknowledged the emotional attachment audiences hold, meaning any quip would need to be “the most fine‑tuned joke” to land without alienating the room or viewers at home.
How this shapes the Golden Globes monologue
Glaser framed hosting as a “covert mission”: deliver sharp comedy without “ruining anyone’s night.” Awards‑show hosts must balance punchy jokes with the reality of a live audience full of nominees, executives and advertisers.
She contrasted that setting with formal roasts — such as Netflix’s Roast of Tom Brady — where participants sign up for brutal jokes. “I leave the mean for the roast,” Glaser said, explaining why she tailors content for awards shows.
Context: first solo female host and the stakes
Glaser’s return follows a widely praised solo debut as Golden Globes host last year, when she became the first woman to host the ceremony alone. That success raises expectations for her follow‑up and increases scrutiny on every line of her script.
With a large field of A‑listers — many of whom Glaser admired growing up — she said it’s often easier to tease newer stars than to jab at long‑established icons like Roberts, which informs who she targets in the monologue.
What the club reactions reveal about audience taste
The boos in LA clubs act like a fast, on‑the‑ground survey. When a comedian hears immediate negative feedback in small rooms, producers and performers take note. Live feedback doesn’t always predict TV reaction, but it’s a powerful indicator of sensitivity.
Possible interpretations include strong cross‑generational loyalty to certain stars, a local preference to avoid mean‑spirited jabs at beloved figures, or a general protection of legacy actors in comedy. In any case, Glaser’s account shows how live testing influences national broadcasts.
Source notes and reporting
This account draws on Glaser’s remarks on CBS Mornings and subsequent coverage. See the CBS clip and additional reporting summarized in Fox News.
Implications for the Inland Empire
Economic impact
The Golden Globes generate ripple business for Southern California. Hotels, restaurants and transportation providers in nearby regions — including the Inland Empire — often see bookings tied to awards‑week events in Los Angeles. A smooth, well‑reviewed telecast can encourage future visits and corporate bookings; controversy can deter some clients.
Local hospitality businesses that host watch parties — bars in Riverside, breweries in San Bernardino, and hotel event spaces — may benefit from higher foot traffic if viewers gather to watch the show.
Commuting and service work
Many workers from the Inland Empire commute into Los Angeles for hospitality, catering, tech and production roles tied to award shows. A measured tone that avoids on‑air incidents reduces the chance of last‑minute staffing shocks and helps planners coordinate crew, transportation and catering with less uncertainty.
Local entertainment and comedy scene
Inland Empire comedians and clubs regularly feed the LA comedy circuit. Glaser’s practice of testing material at LA clubs highlights the region’s role as a talent and testing pipeline. If awards presenters increasingly avoid skewering legacy stars, that could shift local room expectations and what comics prioritize when testing jokes.
Political and cultural resonance
The Inland Empire is politically mixed and values moderate, community‑focused reporting. Glaser’s decision to treat Julia Roberts as “America’s Sweetheart” reflects cultural sensitivity that will resonate with many local viewers. Some residents who prefer edgier comedy might see a softer approach as timidity; either reaction could inform local conversations about taste and media standards.
Practical effects for residents
For Inland Empire viewers planning watch parties, Glaser’s on‑the‑record warnings about delicate jokes set expectations for a family‑friendly broadcast. Entertainment workers commuting to Los Angeles can anticipate fewer last‑minute script edits or producer demands. Local comics and writers can view Glaser’s method — testing material and pulling back when audiences object — as a reminder about audience testing and the weight of nostalgia.
Reporting transparency
This story is based on Glaser’s on‑camera remarks on CBS Mornings. See the interview video: CBS Mornings clip. Additional reporting and context are available from Fox News.
