Nikki Glaser’s dark humor: Finding laughter in life’s toughest moments
A comedian’s journey through taboo topics
It’s a rare talent to make people laugh about the darkest aspects of life, but Nikki Glaser has mastered this art. Her latest Emmy-nominated special, aptly titled Someday You’ll Die, dives headfirst into the uncomfortable and often unspoken subject of suicide. For Glaser, these jokes are not just about getting laughs but also about breaking the silence around mental health issues.
“The joke that’s in the special about my mom saying, ‘People don’t want to hear you talking about blowing your head off’ is a true thing that she said,” Glaser recalls. This candid conversation with her mother became a cornerstone of her special, highlighting the generational gap in understanding mental health.
The power of humor in addressing mental health
Glaser’s approach to comedy is both bold and necessary. She believes that talking about suicidal thoughts openly can help those suffering feel less isolated. “Our society has a problem. And part of the problem is we don’t talk about it,” she emphasizes. By bringing these dark thoughts into the light, Glaser aims to create a space where people can find solace and perhaps even a bit of humor in their struggles.
Throughout her special, Glaser repeatedly mentions the crisis hotline 988, ensuring that her audience knows help is available. This blend of humor and advocacy is what sets her apart in the comedy world.
Balancing offense and empathy
Of course, tackling such sensitive topics is not without its challenges. Glaser recounts an incident where a joke about suicide offended an audience member who had lost someone to it. Her response? “I have a right to talk about this too, bitch! You can’t silence me because you’ve been victimized by it through someone. I’ve been victimized by it personally myself, so shut up. Or leave if you don’t like it.”
While Glaser doesn’t enjoy offending people, she stands by her material. She often reaches out to those who feel affronted, but her patience is wearing thin. “I’m sorry, lady,” she says, exasperated. “I don’t know where you are, but I hope you’re happy.”
The motherhood debate
Another divisive topic in Glaser’s special is her stance on parenthood. Spoiler alert: she doesn’t want kids. “I just don’t feel like devoting my free time to something that could marry a DJ,” she jokes. This sentiment stems from her experiences with her close-knit group of girlfriends, many of whom have recently become mothers.
Glaser’s jokes about motherhood, such as new moms being selfish rather than selfless, were tested in her group chat before making it to the stage. “If a girl is going to be really horrified by that joke and think, ‘That’s so wrong,’ I really think that person has probably thought those kinds of thoughts, too,” she says. “And they aren’t people I’d want to be friends with anyway.”
Embracing a child-free life
Turning 40 last year, Glaser’s decision to remain child-free has become even more pronounced. She finds purpose in her career and has no plans to slow down. Her recent mainstream success, bolstered by her headline-grabbing Tom Brady roast, has only fueled her ambition.
In addition to comedy, Glaser has ventured into singing and songwriting. She wrote and performed the title song for her special, a pop track influenced by her favorite artist, Taylor Swift. “Have I written a second song? No. Do I want to? Yes. Am I terrified it won’t happen again? Yes,” she admits. But she’s content with having done it once and hopes to write more songs for future specials.
A message of resilience
Glaser’s special, Someday You’ll Die, is a testament to her resilience and her ability to find humor in the darkest corners of life. Her work encourages others to speak openly about their struggles and find laughter amidst the pain.
If you or anyone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources.
For more insights into Nikki Glaser’s work, check out the trailer for Someday You’ll Die here.