Nikki Glaser says she's 'scared' to tell political jokes
Comedian Nikki Glaser says she went from being too "angry" to tell political jokes to being too fearful.
"I'm at the point now that if I don't say something political, it's because I'm scared to, not because I'm like, I don't think I have a right to do that," Glaser said Sunday at the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor ceremony at the Kennedy Center in Washington.
"It's now like I missed that moment where I could say stuff because I had a point of view and I felt safe speaking to that. And I totally missed that," Glaser, who hosted the Golden Globes in January, said.
"I went from being like, 'I don't want to talk about politics because I don't want to alienate anyone,' to like, 'I want to talk about it but now I'm scared to.' And that's just that's a s‑‑‑ty place to be," the 40-year-old comic said.
Asked what she's scared of, Glaser replied, "Of getting on some sort of list because I spoke in opposition to the powers-that-be. Who wouldn't be? I'm not stupid. I see how this stuff works."
"But I'm just joking," she said of any future political barbs. "Everything I say is a joke. I'm a comedian," she said.
Glaser's remarks about the current political climate for comedians came after ITK questioned whether she still considers herself "too angry" to perform wisecracks related to politics.
“I don’t do any political jokes. I just steer away from it,” she told ITK last year.
"If I get too angry, sometimes it can be funny, but it’s like I’m too angry to be funny and people can sense that. It turns you off when you’re watching someone just like rage and lose control," she said at the time.
Topics
-
Nikki Glaser says she fears getting death threats or detained over political humor
Nikki Glaser said that she is thinking twice about performing political jokes, including those about President Donald Trump, over fears of getting death threats or being detained.NBC News - 1d -
Comedian Nikki Glaser to return as host of 83rd Golden Globe awards
Nikki Glaser will return to host the Golden Globe Awards for a second year, following her historic debut as the first solo female host.CBS News - Mar. 13 -
Nikki Glaser to host Golden Globes for second consecutive year
Nikki Glaser will return to host the Golden Globe Awards for a second year, following her historic debut as the first solo female host. The comedian, praised for her sharp wit, will helm the 83rd ...CBS News - Mar. 13 -
Al Franken on future political bid: 'I'm ruling it out'
Former Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) says he's closing the door on running for public office again. "I don't think I'll be running again," the "Saturday Night Live" writer and performer-turned-lawmaker ...The Hill - 6d -
Nikki Glaser to return as host of Golden Globes in 2026
After a well-reviewed emcee debut, the Golden Globes are bringing back Nikki Glaser to host the 2026 ceremonyABC News - Mar. 13 -
‘I am a political prisoner’: Mahmoud Khalil says he’s being targeted for political beliefs
Exclusive: Palestinian activist and green card holder speaks out from Louisiana immigration detention for first time. Never miss global breaking news. Download our free app to keep up with key ...The Guardian - Mar. 18 -
Walz walks back Tesla stock quip: 'Being a smart-a--'
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) walked back his joke about Tesla stock dropping, saying he was “being a smart-a--.” “I have to be careful about being a smart-a--, I was making a joke,” Walz said. ...The Hill - 2d -
The real history of free speech — from supreme ideal to poisonous politics
The 300-year-old doctrine is being tested by the excesses of digital oligarchs, says historian Fara DabhoiwalaFinancial Times - Mar. 15 -
Russell Howard on how to tell parenting and political jokes without sounding corny: 'Authenticity is key'
Howard, who makes a stop at the Hollywood Improv on March 23, welcomed a son in May. Despite his new responsibilities, he found time to scour the news for fresh material.Los Angeles Times - Mar. 14
More from The Hill
-
Senate confirms Trump's nominee to run NIH
The Senate on Tuesday confirmed health researcher Jay Bhattacharya as the next leader of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Bhattacharya was confirmed on a party line vote, 53 to 47. ...The Hill - 21m -
Senate confirms Trump's nominee to run NIH
The Senate on Tuesday confirmed health researcher Jay Bhattacharya as the next leader of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Bhattacharya was confirmed on a party line vote, 53 to 47. ...The Hill - 21m -
Trump orders declassification of FBI’s Russia investigation
President Trump on Tuesday signed a memorandum directing the declassification of FBI files related to the investigation into his 2016 campaign's potential ties to Russia. The memorandum calls for ...The Hill - 3h -
In Trump versus the Constitution, Congress is backing the wrong side
We urgently need our courts and our elected officials, Democrats and Republicans, to reaffirm the checks and balances designed to prevent abuses of power by any president.The Hill - 1d -
Carville on Schumer CR vote: ‘This might turn out to be a wiser decision than people think’
Democratic strategist James Carville weighed in on Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer’s (N.Y.) decision to vote in favor of the House GOP-led continuing resolution, saying it might turn out to ...The Hill - Mar. 18
More in Politics
-
Jeffries calls for firing Hegseth over war plans group chat
Politico - 1h -
Jeffries calls for firing Hegseth over war plans group chat
Politico - 1h -
White House will make sure Signal group chat incident never happens again, says top GOP lawmaker
House Majority Whip Rep. Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) joined Meet the Press NOW to discuss the group chat in which members of the Trump administration discussed plans to launch airstrikes against Houthi ...NBC News - 2h -
Steve Kornacki: Wisconsin Supreme Court race will test Democrat’s off-year turnout 'advantage'
NBC News National Political Correspondent Steve Kornacki digs into battleground Wisconsin ahead of the state’s Supreme Court election.NBC News - 2h -
Trump administration has 'very little concern' with national security team after group chat leak
NBC News Correspondents Vaughn Hillyard and Courtney Kube join Meet the Press NOW to discuss the fallout after the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic was mistakenly added to a group chat with White ...NBC News - 2h