Comedian Nikki Glaser, hosting the 2026 Golden Globes, delivered a biting joke about CBS News that was not pre-approved by the network’s bosses, revealing ongoing tensions within the newly restructured news division under editor-in-chief Bari Weiss.
During her monologue on Sunday night, Glaser quipped, ‘The award for most editing goes to CBS News. Yes, CBS news: America’s newest place to see-BS-news,’ drawing loud laughter from the celebrity audience. The joke targeted CBS News’s recent controversies under Bari Weiss, who took over last fall.
Sources confirm that Glaser did not seek approval from CBS News executives before making the remark, as the news division operates separately from the entertainment section that broadcast the awards. An industry insider stated, ‘The news division is fully separate,’ and emphasized that Glaser was not required to clear her material with news chiefs.
The jab comes amid a turbulent period for CBS News, following Weiss’s appointment by Skydance owner David Ellison, who also acquired her website, The Free Press. Weiss has faced internal uproar after killing a ’60 Minutes’ segment on U.S. deportations to El Salvador, and she recently handpicked Tony Dokoupil to helm the ‘CBS Evening News,’ though his debut was marred by technical glitches.
Background issues add context: CBS News was previously sued by former President Donald Trump for alleged election interference via edited interviews, resulting in a $16 million settlement ahead of the network’s merger with Skydance Media. This history of editorial disputes underscores the sensitivity of Glaser’s joke.
Despite the dig, Weiss is expected to ‘shrug it off and move on,’ according to reports. The separation between news and entertainment allows such barbs without formal repercussions, though it highlights the public perception challenges facing CBS News under its new leadership.
Glaser also made light of other industry dramas, joking about the sale of Warner Bros. with CEO David Zaslav in attendance, saying, ‘We’ll start the bidding for Warner Bros. at $5, do I hear $5?’ This reflects the ongoing corporate battles in media, with Ellison pursuing a hostile takeover of Warner Bros. to counter Netflix’s bid.
The incident underscores the blurring lines between entertainment and news in modern media, where award shows become platforms for commentary on industry politics. It also raises questions about how networks handle internal criticism when aired publicly.
Looking ahead, the fallout is minimal as CBS focuses on stabilizing its news operations. Glaser’s hosting role and her unvetted jokes may set a precedent for future awards ceremonies, where hosts feel emboldened to address network controversies directly.
