The 2026 Golden Globe Awards ceremony featured more than just award wins. It was also filled with heartfelt speeches from the winners and hilarious sketches that kept viewers buzzing. Host Nikki Glaser delivered another standout performance, cementing the ceremony’s place this awards season.
Here are the five most memorable moments from the star-studded ceremony.
Nikki Glaser's Hilarious Monologue
Host Nikki Glaser delivered a razor-sharp opening monologue, deftly skewering everyone from the A-list nominees in the room to the power players behind the scenes. Her set touched on everything from Netflix’s acquisition of Warner Bros. and the Epstein files to the internal turmoil at CBS News, punctuated by roasting the year's Best Picture heavyweights.
The highlight of the night, however, was her targeted take on Leonardo DiCaprio’s well-documented dating history. After listing his accolades, Glaser delivered the punchline: "The most impressive thing is that you were able to accomplish that all before your girlfriend turned 30."
Recognizing the trope, she immediately leaned into the self-awareness of the bit: "Leo, I’m sorry I made that joke. It is cheap. I tried not to, but, like, we don’t know anything else about you, man. There’s nothing else. Open up! I’m serious! I looked! I searched! The most in-depth interview you’ve ever given was for Teen Beat magazine in 1991. Is your favorite food still ‘Pasta, pasta and more pasta?'"
Nikki Glaser Performs "Golden" with a Marty Supreme Twist
Glaser kept the momentum going with a high-energy parody of the KPop Demon Hunters hit song "Golden," reimagined through the lens of Marty Supreme. The performance leaned heavily into its own absurdity, with Glaser winking at the audience to ensure everyone was in on the joke.
The segment reached its peak when former SAG-AFTRA President and Marty Supreme star Fran Drescher made a surprise appearance. Stealing the spotlight, Drescher "interrupted" the number to jokingly threaten Glaser with expulsion from the union if she didn't stop immediately.
Standing Ovation for Julia Roberts
Julia Roberts, a nominee for Best Actress - Drama for her turn in After the Hunt, was met with a thunderous standing ovation as she took to the stage to present Best Picture – Musical or Comedy.
Visibly moved by the unexpected outpouring of affection, the A-list icon quipped: "Wow. Thank you! I’m going to be impossible for at least a week. I appreciate that."
While brief, the exchange served as a poignant reminder that Roberts' legendary star power remains as potent and undeniable as ever, even decades into her career.
Amy Poehler's Best Podcast Victory
Amy Poehler took home the inaugural Best Podcast award for her hit Spotify/Ringer podcast, Good Hang. The win was preceded by a Nikki Glaser sketch parodying Nicole Kidman’s iconic AMC commercial, poking fun at the unique ways we consume podcasts.
In a characteristically sharp acceptance speech, Poehler playfully aimed at NPR, joking that their content is "just a bunch of celebs phoning it in, so try harder." However, she ended on a heartfelt note, describing the show as an effort to bring "love and laughter" to a rough world by "laughing with people, not at them."
Heated Rivalry Getting the Spotlight
Despite not being nominated, the popular series Heated Rivalry still shared the spotlight as stars Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams appeared as presenters. Their entrance followed a brief promotional segment for the UFC’s upcoming move to Paramount+.
The rising stars shared a playful moment on stage, bantering about their nerves in a room full of A-list talent. When Williams joked that Storrie should "picture" the audience naked to calm his nerves, Storrie quipped that it wouldn't matter, considering how many people had already seen their steamy scenes in the show.
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