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Did you know? – the Critics Choice Awards are presented by the Critics Choice Association, comprised of film and television critics from North America. The institution aims to honor the best in both mediums.
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Reader question – Chelsea Handler has hosted the Critics Choice Awards before, in 2020. She is known for her sharp wit and willingness to tackle controversial topics in her comedy.
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Did you know? – “Landman,” nominated for several awards, focuses on the high-stakes world of oil drilling. The series explores the conflicts between oil companies,landowners,and environmental concerns.
Chelsea Handler Roasts DiCaprio, Zaslav at 2026 Critics Choice Awards
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A biting monologue from comedian chelsea Handler kicked off the 2026 Critics Choice Awards on January 4th, leaving no nominee untouched. From playful jabs at Leonardo DiCaprioS recent travels to a pointed critique of Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav, Handler set a sharp and humorous tone for the upcoming awards season.
DiCaprio’s Brush wiht Bezos
handler wasted no time addressing the celebrity circuit, beginning with DiCaprio, star of the critically acclaimed film “One Battle After Another.” “Leo almost didn’t make it tonight because he was trapped on a boat in St. Barts,” she quipped, as DiCaprio reportedly laughed. “It was just like the ‘Titanic,’ but worse, as Jeff Bezos was there.”
The reference alludes to recent sightings of DiCaprio and his girlfriend, Vittoria Ceretti, vacationing with Bezos and Lauren Sánchez on a superyacht in St. Barts last week. DiCaprio’s travel plans were further complex by FAA air traffic control issues stemming from the situation in Venezuela,causing him to miss the Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala.
A Risqué Moment with “Landman”
The comedian didn’t shy away from more adult humor, either. After issuing a “spoiler alert,” Handler discussed Paramount+’s “Landman,” stating, “Billy Bob Thornton went full frontal.” She then relayed a comment from Taylor Sheridan: “taylor Sheridan said it was nice to have a dick on set that wasn’t Kevin Costner.”
Zaslav as the Ultimate Villain
Perhaps the most pointed commentary of the night was reserved for Warner Bros. discovery CEO David Zaslav. Handler cleverly framed her critique within a description of the blockbuster hit “Sinners.”
“‘Sinners’ is the story of brothers who start this really fun place for entertainment, and then vampires show up, suck the life out of everybody and burn it all to the ground,” she explained. “Fun fact, the original name of the main vampire was David Zaslav.” This remark is widely interpreted as a commentary on Zaslav’s cost-cutting measures and restructuring within Warner Bros. discovery.
“Sinners” and “One Battle After Another” Lead the Pack
The 2026 Critics Choice Awards mark the beginning of awards season, and the nominations reveal the frontrunners. On the film side,Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners” currently leads with 17 nominations,including best picture. Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another” is a close second, garnering 14 nods.
in the television categories, Netflix dominates, mirroring trends seen at the Emmys. “Adolescence” received six nominations, while “Nobody Wants This” secured five. Other nominated series include “The Pitt,” “all Her Fault,” “Severance,” “The Diplomat,” “Ghosts,” and “Death by Lightning,” each earning four nominations.
A complete list of winners can be found [here](link to winners list).
Handler’s opening monologue successfully established a bold and irreverent atmosphere, signaling a possibly unpredi
