What do Tom Brady, Taylor Swift, and comedy have in common when it comes to learning about football? For Nikki Glaser, the answer is everything.
Glaser has become a recognizable figure to football fans this season. Her standout performance during the Tom Brady Roast on May 5 opened the door for five appearances on Amazon Prime Video’s “Thursday Night Football” postgame show.
Ahead of last Thursday’s matchup between the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers, Glaser explained that her “Late Hits” segment was a natural progression after her success at the Brady Roast.
“The football audience already knows me to some degree. They’re okay with me not being a football expert because I made it clear during the Brady Roast that I wasn’t,” Glaser shared.
“In doing that, I became a fan of Tom Brady and the sport. So, I thought, ‘Why not continue learning about football through comedy?’ That became my goal.”
Although Glaser’s football knowledge is still developing, it has grown significantly since last year when she began casually watching Kansas City Chiefs games due to Taylor Swift’s relationship with tight end Travis Kelce.
Initially, her interest stemmed from spotting Swift during broadcasts. However, she soon decided to dive deeper into understanding the game, likening the experience to learning a new language.
“I avoided learning about football for years because I was scared of looking foolish,” Glaser admitted. “I assumed football fans would judge my lack of knowledge harshly, but they’re actually supportive and eager to help you understand.”
NFL audiences have seen comedians on pregame shows, often in taped segments. Fox Sports previously featured Frank Caliendo and Rob Riggle, with Caliendo also appearing on ESPN.
Glaser’s live appearances on “Thursday Night Football”, however, are unique, as they occur postgame and resemble roasts of both teams. Creating material live during the game adds another layer of challenge.
“I give Nikki and her team enormous credit. They took a big risk by performing live comedy on a sports show,” said Spoon Daftary, senior coordinating producer for Prime Video’s pregame, halftime, and postgame shows. “We couldn’t rehearse beforehand; none of us knew how the audience would react.”
According to Nielsen, Prime’s postgame show now averages 2.05 million viewers, an 11% increase from last season. This figure even surpasses network late-night shows.
Another improvement since Glaser’s first segment after the Sept. 19 game between the New England Patriots and New York Jets is that fans in the stadium can now hear and respond to her live comedy.
“It’s a perfect mix. Sports is entertainment, so incorporating that element feels natural,” said Charissa Thompson, host of Prime Video’s pregame, halftime, and postgame shows. “I’m thrilled we’re trying new things and showcasing Nikki’s talents in the sports arena.”
Performing live comedy on a sports platform has also prepared Glaser for her next big gig: hosting the Golden Globes on Jan. 5, which will air on CBS and Paramount+. The Globes will follow a doubleheader of NFL games for the season’s final week.
“This experience has been the perfect training for the Golden Globes. I’ll be writing jokes about things happening in real-time, which is new for me,” Glaser said.
“Normally, I prepare extensively, but now we’re throwing out jokes live on air without testing them at comedy clubs. It’s exhilarating to see what works in the moment.”
While Glaser is not slated for additional appearances on Prime Video’s postgame show this season, there’s mutual interest in her returning next year.
“If I come back, I’ll bring a lot more football knowledge with me,” Glaser said. “Now, I can walk past a TV at a bar, watch the game, and hold my own in football conversations. That’s a huge win for me.”
