The Golden Globe Awards, known for its blend of glitz, awkward acceptance speeches, and often-cringeworthy humor, has seen a rotating cast of hosts over the years. From the intentionally offensive to the surprisingly poignant, here’s a breakdown of who’s taken the stage, and what they brought to the mic.
The Recent Years: Nikki Glaser’s Reign
Nikki Glaser has quickly become a Golden Globes mainstay. After a well-received debut in 2025, she was confirmed to return for 2026 almost immediately. Glaser’s humor leans into self-deprecation and industry mockery, promising another night of unfiltered commentary. She has joked about her own lack of recognition by casting directors, hoping for a role in The White Lotus.
The Jo Koy Experiment (and Its Backlash)
In 2024, Jo Koy took the helm, with mixed results. While aiming to represent Filipino pride, his jokes landed poorly, particularly a crass comparison between Oppenheimer and Barbie. The incident highlighted the fine line between edgy humor and outright offensiveness at awards shows.
Jerrod Carmichael’s Blunt Truths
Jerrod Carmichael hosted in 2023, directly addressing the Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s (HFPA) history of exclusion. He bluntly stated the Globes hadn’t had a Black host in 79 years, implying his hire was a reactive move rather than genuine progress. His commentary forced an uncomfortable but necessary conversation about diversity behind the scenes.
The Virtual Era: Tina Fey and Amy Poehler
When the pandemic forced a scaled-back ceremony in 2021, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler stepped in, hosting from separate cities. Despite the limitations, their sharp wit and seamless timing delivered a much-needed dose of normalcy in a chaotic year.
Ricky Gervais: The Provocateur
Ricky Gervais hosted in 2020, delivering a brutally honest monologue before declaring he was “done” with the gig. His jokes, including a tasteless reference to Jeffrey Epstein, sparked outrage but also underscored his willingness to offend for the sake of shock value.
A Moment of Real Change: Andy Samberg and Sandra Oh
In 2019, Andy Samberg and Sandra Oh brought a fresh dynamic. While Samberg delivered the punchlines, Oh used her platform to acknowledge a shift in representation. Her emotional speech celebrating the nominees from diverse backgrounds – Crazy Rich Asians, BlacKkKlansman, Black Panther, and Pose – felt genuinely moving, even if fleeting.
The Fey-Poehler Dynasty
Tina Fey and Amy Poehler took over in 2013, replacing Gervais with a more palatable brand of humor. Their three-year run was marked by sharp observations about Hollywood culture, but also a subtle acknowledgment of the industry’s hypocrisy.
The Early Years: Gervais Sets the Tone
Ricky Gervais first hosted in 2010, immediately establishing a precedent for irreverent comedy. His jokes about cosmetic surgery and the self-importance of celebrities set a tone that would define the Globes for years to come.
Ultimately, the history of Golden Globes hosting reveals a pattern: the show thrives on controversy, often pushing boundaries with humor that’s equal parts funny and uncomfortable. The hosts themselves serve as a barometer for Hollywood’s willingness to laugh at itself, even when the joke isn’t entirely in good taste.
