Overview
- Opening the Santa Monica ceremony, Handler joked that DiCaprio nearly missed the show after being stuck on a St. Barts yacht with Jeff Bezos, drawing loud laughter.
- DiCaprio attended the Critics Choice Awards and was seen laughing at the joke after missing the Palm Springs gala due to FAA air-traffic issues following the attack on Venezuela.
- Handler’s monologue also targeted industry figures, including a jab at Warner Bros. chief David Zaslav during a bit about Sinners.
- The Critics Choice Awards launched the season with Sinners leading film contenders at 17 nominations and One Battle After Another close behind with 14, while Netflix’s Adolescence topped TV with six.
- The Critics Choice Association introduced four new categories this year: Best Variety Series, Best Stunt Design, Best Casting and Ensemble, and Best Sound.