The Tamesis
The 2026 Critics’ Choice Awards have come and gone, and among all the big fashion and big wins, there are certain standout moments that seem destined to live on forever (at least in our hearts and in Instagram meme format).
From host Chelsea Handler’s touching tribute to Rob Reiner, to Jimmy Kimmel mentioning he’d be banned from the show in 2025, to lighter fare like Timothée Chalamet’s rare public praise of girlfriend Kylie Jenner, here are all the best moments from the 2026 Critics’ Choice Awards.
Chelsea Handler’s opening monologue
Photo: Getty Images
At this point, I’m used to straining my way through monologues by comedian hosts (not naming names, and not attacking anyone Handler may or may not have dated, but…looking at you, Joe Coy). Yet Sunday’s ceremony was expertly conducted by four-time host Chelsea Handler. Handler obviously knows how to joke, but she managed to find the perfect time at the awards show to poke fun at David Zaslav and Adam Sandler is equally dashing. Who are the contenders for best joke of the night? Handler said: “Since sinner…The only person who invited me was Nicki Minaj, but who wants to go there? “
