The New Era Of Golden Globes Comedy: 5 Shocking Shifts And The 2026 Comedian Contenders

The landscape of comedy at the Golden Globe Awards has undergone a dramatic, permanent transformation in the last two years, shifting its focus squarely onto the raw, unscripted power of stand-up comedians and the rising stars of prestige TV comedy. As of today, December 10, 2025, the industry is buzzing not just about the winners of the recently concluded 2025 ceremony, but about the groundbreaking nominations for the upcoming 2026 Golden Globes, which solidify a new era where pure comedic talent is finally getting its own spotlight, separate from traditional film and television categories.

This deep dive explores the most significant shifts—from the introduction of a game-changing new award to the historic hosts and the full list of A-list contenders who are defining what it means to be the "Golden Globes Best Comedian" in the modern age. The days of comedy being a mere subcategory are over; the comedians themselves are now the main event.

The 2025 Golden Globes: A Historic Year for Comedians and Comedy

The 82nd Golden Globe Awards ceremony in early 2025 marked a pivotal moment, primarily by recognizing the art of stand-up comedy in a major way and breaking a major hosting barrier. This shift has fundamentally changed how the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) — now the Golden Globe Awards — acknowledges true comedic talent.

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The Stand-Up Category: A Game-Changer

The most significant development was the second annual presentation of the Best Performance in Stand-Up Comedy on Television award, a category first introduced in 2024. This award provides a direct path for pure comedians to be recognized, independent of an acting role in a film or series.

• 2025 Winner: Comedian and actress Ali Wong took home the coveted award for her critically acclaimed special, *Ali Wong: Single Lady*.
• Notable Nominees: The 2025 field was stacked with comedy heavyweights, including Jamie Foxx (*What Had Happened Was*), Seth Meyers, Adam Sandler, and Ramy Youssef.
• The Host as a Nominee: In a rare twist, the host of the 2025 ceremony, Nikki Glaser, was also nominated for her special, *Someday You'll Die*, underscoring the high caliber of stand-up talent being recognized.

This category has cemented the Golden Globes as a major platform for stand-up, moving beyond the traditional acting categories to honor the craft of the televised special. The inaugural 2024 winner, Ricky Gervais for *Armageddon*, set a high bar for controversial and sharp comedic material.

The Historic Host: Nikki Glaser

Further emphasizing the spotlight on comedians, the 2025 ceremony was hosted by Nikki Glaser, making history as the first woman to host the Golden Globes solo. Her performance received widespread praise for balancing sharp, unfiltered jokes with the prestige of the event, proving that a dedicated stand-up comic can successfully helm one of Hollywood's biggest nights.

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The 2025 Comedy Winners: Shifting Tides in Film and Television

Beyond the stand-up category, the traditional Musical or Comedy categories saw major upsets and surprising wins in 2025, reflecting a preference for bold, genre-bending content and ensemble casts.

Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy

The 2025 award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy went to the Jacques Audiard-directed musical film, *Emilia Pérez*, which also dominated other categories. This win was significant as it highlighted the Globes' willingness to honor an international, Spanish-language musical over more conventional Hollywood comedies. The film’s success demonstrates the expanding definition of what constitutes a "comedy" at the awards show, favoring boundary-pushing narratives.

Television Series – Musical or Comedy

The 2025 television comedy race was incredibly tight, but the ultimate winner for Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy was the Netflix series *Nobody Wants This*. This result was a notable upset, with the series beating out perennial favorites and critical darlings like *The Bear* and *Hacks*. However, the acting awards provided a more nuanced look at the TV comedy landscape:

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• Best Actor (TV Series): Jeremy Allen White secured the win for his dramatic-comedic role as Carmy Berzatto in *The Bear*, continuing his winning streak in the category.
• Best Actress (TV Series): While the winner is not explicitly listed in the top results, the nominations consistently highlight the fierce competition between heavyweights like Ayo Edebiri (*The Bear*) and Jean Smart (*Hacks*), who are consistently viewed as the leading comedic actors of their generation.

The 2026 Golden Globe Nominees: The Comedic Talent to Watch

With the 83rd Golden Globe Awards ceremony fast approaching in early 2026, the recently announced nominations are setting the stage for another highly competitive year, featuring a mix of established A-listers and breakout comedic stars. These contenders represent the absolute pinnacle of current comedic performances.

Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy (2026 Nominees)

This category is a blend of dramatic actors taking on comedic roles and established funny men, showcasing the versatility required to win a Globe. The current list of frontrunners includes:

• Timothée Chalamet (*Marty Supreme*)
• George Clooney (*Jay Kelly*)
• Ethan Hawke (*Blue Moon*)
• Nicholas Hoult (*Bugonia*)
• Jesse Plemons (*The Secret Agent*)

The nomination of Timothée Chalamet for *Marty Supreme* is particularly noteworthy, continuing his trend of exploring lighter, more whimsical roles following his performance in *Wonka* in a previous cycle. Meanwhile, George Clooney's nomination for *Jay Kelly* represents the enduring appeal of Hollywood veterans in sharp, witty vehicles.

Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy (2026 Nominees)

This category is arguably the most dynamic in the comedy field, featuring the most critically adored performances on television.

• Kristen Bell (*Nobody Wants This*)
• Ayo Edebiri (*The Bear*)
• Selena Gomez (*Only Murders in the Building*)
• Jean Smart (*Hacks*)
• Jenna Ortega (*Wednesday*)

The perennial presence of Jean Smart for *Hacks* and the continued dominance of Ayo Edebiri for *The Bear*—who is widely considered the reigning queen of prestige TV comedy—make this a must-watch category. Kristen Bell’s nomination for the winning series *Nobody Wants This* provides a strong challenger, while Selena Gomez and Jenna Ortega represent the new wave of young comedic talent.

Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy (2026 Nominees)

The films nominated for the 2026 award demonstrate the sheer variety of content the Globes now considers.

• *Blue Moon*
• *Bugonia*
• *Marty Supreme*
• *No Other Choice*
• *Nouvelle Vague*
• *One Battle After Another*

The inclusion of films like *Bugonia* and *Marty Supreme* highlights a move toward darker, more surreal comedic narratives, ensuring the Golden Globes remains a vital predictor of the most unconventional and critically celebrated cinematic comedy.

The Topical Authority of Comedians at the Golden Globes

The recent changes at the Golden Globes, specifically the introduction of the Stand-Up category and the choice of a solo comedian host, have significantly boosted the topical authority of the awards in the comedy space. The Globes are no longer simply rewarding actors who happen to be in funny films; they are actively celebrating the craft of comedy itself. This focus is creating a richer, more diverse list of recognized comedic entities, including:

• Stand-Up Comedians: Ricky Gervais, Ali Wong, Nikki Glaser, Jamie Foxx, Seth Meyers, Adam Sandler, Ramy Youssef.
• Comedic Actors (TV): Jeremy Allen White, Ayo Edebiri, Jean Smart, Kristen Bell, Selena Gomez, Jenna Ortega, Noah Wyle.
• Comedic Actors (Film): Paul Giamatti, Emma Stone, Timothée Chalamet, George Clooney, Ethan Hawke, Rose Byrne.
• Award-Winning Titles: *The Bear*, *Hacks*, *Nobody Wants This*, *Only Murders in the Building*, *Emilia Pérez*, *The Holdovers*, *Ali Wong: Single Lady*.

By carving out a dedicated space for stand-up, the Golden Globes have positioned themselves as the premier awards show for recognizing the full spectrum of comedic excellence, from a tightly-written dramatic comedy series to a single, hour-long special. The 2026 awards are set to continue this trend, promising a ceremony filled with high-stakes competition and, undoubtedly, more historic moments for the world's best comedians.