INGLEWOOD, Calif. — The world of football is witnessing an interesting blend of humor and analysis, particularly through the lens of Nikki Glaser, a rising figure among fans this season. Glaser’s journey began with her notable performance at the Tom Brady Roast earlier this year, which ultimately facilitated her participation in Amazon Prime Video’s “Thursday Night Football” postgame segments.
In anticipation of the matchup between the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers, Glaser expressed enthusiasm for her “Late Hits” segment, referring to it as a natural progression after her earlier success. “The football audience is somewhat familiar with my comedic style. They don’t expect me to be an expert but appreciate my honesty regarding my football knowledge,” she stated. Through her experience on the Brady Roast, she developed a newfound appreciation for both Tom Brady and the sport, which motivated her to learn more about football in a lighthearted manner.
While Glaser acknowledges she still has much to learn regarding football, her understanding has evolved since she began watching games more actively last year, spurred by Taylor Swift’s connection to Kansas City Chiefs player Travis Kelce. Initially, her motivation was largely to watch Swift’s appearances during the broadcasts. Yet, she decided to immerse herself further in the game’s intricacies, likening the experience to learning a new language.
“For years, I kept myself blind to the sport out of fear of appearing foolish. I assumed that football enthusiasts would judge me harshly for my lack of knowledge, but the reality is quite the opposite,” Glaser remarked. “They’re actually keen to help newcomers understand.”
Comedians have been a staple in NFL programming, though their contributions have primarily been reserved for pre-game skits or taped segments. Glaser’s involvement brings a fresh twist, as her presence on “Thursday Night Football” is live and resembles a comedic roast format focused on the teams playing. She and her writers create material in real-time as the games unfold, adding an exhilarating unpredictability to her performances.
“I admire Glaser and her team for embracing the challenge of incorporating live stand-up into a sports show. There was no rehearsal for our first live episode, and no one anticipated the crowd’s reaction,” said Spoon Daftary, a senior producer for Prime Video’s sports segments. Nielsen ratings reflect the positive impact of Glaser’s segments, with Prime’s postgame show attracting 2.05 million viewers on average, marking an 11% increase from the previous season and surpassing many late-night programs.
The improvement from Glaser’s debut segment following the New England Patriots and New York Jets game to her latest performance illustrates a growing audience engagement, as fans in the stadium can now react to her segment live. “Combining sports and entertainment naturally enhances our formats, whether during pregame or postgame. I appreciate that we embrace innovative approaches and showcase Glaser’s extensive talents in the sporting arena,” stated Charissa Thompson, host of the pregame, halftime, and postgame shows.
As Glaser prepares to host the upcoming Golden Globes on January 5, airing on CBS and Paramount+, her live comedy experiences have provided invaluable preparation. It’s an interesting coincidence that the awards show is set to air right after CBS Sports broadcasts NFL games on the season’s final weekend. “Participating in live sports segments has truly been an ideal rehearsal for the Golden Globes, especially since I’ll be crafting jokes about live events—a first for me. I usually prefer to meticulously prepare before any show,” she shared.
Although Glaser’s involvement with Prime Video’s postgame shows may conclude for this season, both she and the producers are open to collaboration in the following year. “I now feel significantly more knowledgeable about football, thanks to this year’s experiences. I can casually engage in football discussions in social settings, which is a significant personal achievement,” she concluded.
