As I watched Nikki Glaser gently torch the cardboard cutouts of Hollywood’s biggest stars rubber-banded to seats at the Beverly Hilton at yesterday’s rehearsal of a killer Golden Globes monologue, the feeling was not unlike watching a superbly conditioned athlete you just know is going to rise to the moment.

After last year’s utter catastrophe of a Golden Globes opening—stale, crass, practically booed-at jokes by host Jo Koy —what a wonderful bit of whiplash it was to watch this year’s host, Nikki Glaser, right the ship and then some at the top of Sunday night’s broadcast.