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Nikki Glaser returns as host of the Golden Globes for the 2026 show on Jan. 11
The comedian, 41, tells PEOPLE how she's feeling ahead of her return and what jokes — and people — are off-limits this year
"I kind of have to keep wrapping my head around the kind of people that are going to be present in this room," she says
Nikki Glaserhas a general idea about how hosting the 2026Golden Globe Awardswill go — it's not her first rodeo.
The comedian, 41,returns to host for the second year in a rowon Jan. 11, and she tells PEOPLE how she's preparing for her second time in the nerve-wracking role.
"There's lots to joke about this year — and the star power in the room is going to be bigger than ever. I mean, it's bigger than last year," she says. "I kind of have to keep wrapping my head around the kind of people that are going to be present in this room."
She quips ofLeonardo DiCaprio, whose latest film,One Battle After Another, led the nominations among movies this year, "I mean, Leo's vape pen is going to be there. So excited to see that."
"There's going to be some big, big hitters in the room, and there's podcasts this year, which is also going to be a hilarious thing to joke about," Glaser says atThe Hollywood Reporter's Annual Women in Entertainment Gala.
Speaking of DiCaprio, 51, Glaser says he's at the top of her list of what to avoid.
"I don't think I'm going to go with the Leo jokes we've heard 25 times," she reveals. "I think we've all heard that — that's been done enough."
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"My goal is always to try to not do what's expected or try to challenge myself to not say the thing that people are going to expect and try something else," she explains.
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The actor will still be on her target list, of course, but she says, "That's going to be the challenge this year, is just finding anything else about him that is right for mockery, but not mockery."
"Also, he's a legend and was incredible inOne Battle [After Another]," she adds. "So that's also the other thing — as long as I really like these people and respect what they do, I can get away with saying something negative."
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In her experience, Glaser says people can "tell" if she's "lying and being like, 'I'm such a fan!' And then I say something a little bit critical."
"But when I'm really a fan, which I am of so many of these people, that's when I can go a bit harder, because it really does come from a place of love and knowing that I'm nothing compared to you."
The news that she would return as host was announced in March. She said in a statement at the time that hosting 2025's show was "without a doubt the most fun I have ever had in my career."
"I can't wait to do it again, and this time in front of the team fromThe White Lotuswho will finally recognize my talent and cast me in season 4 as a Scandinavian pilates instructor with a shadowy past."
The 83rd annual Golden Globe Awards will take place at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles on Sunday, Jan. 11 at 8 p.m. EST, airing on CBS and streaming on Paramount+.
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