Nikki Glaser just proved she’s got an entire arsenal of jokes that never saw the light of day at the Golden Globes.
The comedian appeared on SiriusXM’s The Howard Stern Show this morning, revealing the cut material from her acclaimed Sunday night hosting gig.
Some of these jokes were spicy—and it’s clear why they didn’t make the final broadcast.
But they offer a fascinating glimpse into what goes into crafting the perfect awards show monologue.
The Jokes That Didn’t Make Air
Glaser told Stern she keeps what she calls her “Stern File”—a collection of celebrity jabs deemed too risky for television.
One cut joke took aim at box office struggles with a pointed reference to Sydney Sweeney. Another targeted a fictional AI-generated star named Tilly Norwood with a dark punchline about Hollywood’s harassment culture.
These weren’t jokes that didn’t land—they were jokes Glaser deliberately held back.
Why Comedians Self-Edit
Glaser opened up about her evolution as a performer, explaining her more thoughtful approach to comedy.
Things do live on in some way and maybe sometimes a joke is just for the room.
She acknowledged that in the past, jokes have “really hurt people’s feelings” or crossed lines she later regretted.
Her current philosophy? Accept that you can’t deliver every punchline you write.
It was always really hard to cut those jokes, and now I’m just like, ‘You just don’t get everything you want and you just gotta move on and let’s just write a better joke. There’s gotta be a better joke out there.’
This maturity represents a significant shift in her comedic approach—prioritizing impact over shock value.
Getting Sean Penn’s Permission
One joke that did make the broadcast compared Sean Penn to “a sexy leather handbag.”
But Glaser didn’t wing it—she actually secured Penn’s approval beforehand.
That was one where I was like, ‘I think I need to.’ I thought, ‘What is it gonna do in the room? If he makes a face, everyone in the room is not gonna laugh even if it is funny and even if he does look exactly like a handbag.’
She ran the joke past Jimmy Kimmel first, who reassured her Penn wasn’t vain enough to take offense.
The Gender Double Standard
Glaser was candid about why she felt comfortable making the Penn joke—and why she wouldn’t make a similar one about a woman.
If someone said that about me, I would be devastated, but it’s different for men and I was okay with doing that joke because I am attracted to him.
She even admitted her boyfriend was “uncomfortable with how horny” she was watching Penn’s recent film.
This self-awareness about gendered comedy standards shows sophisticated comedic judgment.
The Will Smith Factor
Stern raised concerns about Penn’s reputation as “a live wire,” suggesting he might “Will Smith” Glaser on stage.
Glaser acknowledged the Penn joke was the most nerve-wracking part of her monologue.
That was the part of the monologue that I was just like, ‘Once I get past that, I’ll be okay.’
Honoring Rob Reiner
On a more somber note, Glaser discussed her tribute to the late Rob Reiner—a simple Spinal Tap ball cap worn at show’s end.
She called Reiner’s death “so heavy and so tragic” but questioned whether she was the right person to deliver a formal tribute.
The Golden Globes doesn’t have an In Memoriam. What I really thought was if the tables were turned, what would I want Rob Reiner to do for me? That would be enough for me. Just a little joke, a little nod. A reference to his work.
The understated gesture reflected Glaser’s belief that comedic acknowledgment can be more meaningful than solemn speeches.
The Evolution of a Comedian
Glaser’s Stern Show appearance reveals something beyond just cut jokes—it shows comedic growth.
Her willingness to self-edit, seek approval, and consider impact demonstrates professional maturity.
The “Stern File” exists not as a failure folder, but as evidence of thoughtful curation.
Key lessons from Glaser’s approach:
- Not every joke needs an audience: Some material works better in theory than practice
- Room dynamics matter: Target reactions can determine whether a joke lands or dies
- Evolution beats perfection: Being willing to write better material trumps clinging to risky punchlines
- Context shapes comedy: Gender, timing, and individual circumstances all influence appropriateness
Glaser’s Golden Globes performance received widespread acclaim, with many calling it one of the best hosting jobs in recent awards show history.
But this behind-the-scenes look reveals the calculated decisions that created that success—proving that what you don’t say can be just as important as what you do.
The Howard Stern Show airs live on SiriusXM channel Howard 100, Mondays and Tuesdays starting at 7:00 am ET, with full episodes available on the SiriusXM app.