LOS ANGELES – Chelsea Handler received praise for her hosting of the 29th annual Critics Choice Awards on Sunday. The comedian took the opportunity to recognize the accomplishments of women in the film industry, while also taking jabs at studio executives and her ex-boyfriend, comedian Jo Koy. Handler made a reference to Koy’s criticized hosting of the Golden Globes the week prior when she thanked the audience for laughing at her jokes, attributing it to her writers.
During her hosting duties, Handler spoke about the abundance of sexually explicit movies in 2023, jokingly referring to it as “one of the horniest years for movies and TV.” She also humorously expressed her preference for older men like Harrison Ford and Robert De Niro, stating that she likes men “who have been around since the railway was invented.”
Handler did not shy away from making bold statements during the awards show. She playfully expressed her interest in director Martin Scorsese and playfully said that she would “toss him around like a little Italian meatball.”
The comedian also highlighted the success of women in various areas, including Barbara Streisand’s box office success with the film “Barbie” and Greta Gerwig becoming the highest-grossing female director of all time with her film. She emphasized the impact of female empowerment in the entertainment industry.
Handler’s remarks also touched on the struggles faced by studio executives, joking that they had a difficult time due to the combined actors and writers strikes, which forced them to take six consecutive months of vacation.
Despite the potential challenges of hosting an awards show, Handler clearly demonstrated her comfort in the role as she returned for a second consecutive year as the Critics Choice Awards host. In a promo for the event, she even humorously promised not to be defeated or replaced by artificial intelligence.
Overall, Handler’s hosting of the Critics Choice Awards was well-received, with her sharp humor and remarks about women’s empowerment resonating with the audience.