Host Chelsea Handler Is Excited & So Are We For Tomorrows 29th Annual Critics Choice Awards.

Host Chelsea Handler Is Excited & So Are We For Tomorrows 29th Annual Critics Choice Awards.

"Chelsea Handler wants everyone to notice all the women who are dominating culture right now. The comedian, who will return to host the Critics Choice Awards for the second year in a row, has been reflecting on what 2023 has been like in the world of film and television. “It’s very demonstrative of how underserved we’ve been,” she says. “When you serve us up to be appreciated, we deliver. And we show up in droves to support that.”

The ceremony, which will air live on The CW from the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, will be among the first televised shows of the 2023-24 awards season held in the wake of the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes as well as global strife, about which many actors have spoken out against. “I feel a strong desire to show up and provide a reprieve to all the madness and to keep the vibes high and remind people about laughter, togetherness and the fact that there’s still good in the world,” says Handler. “That’s been my focus on [her Little Big Bitch tour], and it’s nice to be onstage for 90 minutes and forget everything. I love my job right now. I feel very purposeful.”

What are your predictions for how awards season might look this year given what the industry went through in 2023?

I think it’s going to be a big celebratory year because everybody’s so relieved that the strikes have ended. It’s a bit like a post-COVID mentality. It’s letting the air out of a balloon because everyone is just raring to go. People are grateful to be back at work. I think the studios and actors, writers, directors are all relieved that we can move forward. So it’s going to be a very celebratory mood, and I think the mood needs to be filled with humor. 

What do you enjoy about the Critics Choice Awards in comparison to other awards shows? 

It doesn’t feel like there’s a lot of weight in terms of the awards. Everyone’s there to have a good time. I’m a girl that has a good time. So it’s a good match. It’s not as serious as the Oscars, and it’s not as chaotic as the Golden Globes.

As a returning host, is there more pressure the second time around?

I know I can deliver; this is very much in my wheelhouse. And it’s very enjoyable to be able to share a room with all the people who’ve worked so hard to be there, especially in a year where Barbie, the No. 1 box office movie of the year, is by a woman. That makes me so happy. And there are so many females to be celebrating this year. I don’t feel like, “Oh, I better do a good job.” I will do a good job.

Does the success of Barbie, including its record number of Critics Choice nominations, signify anything to you as a woman in Hollywood?

It’s the success of that film, not alone, but collectively with the success of Beyoncé and Taylor Swift and Pink — the biggest tours of the year were from female artists. The biggest movie of the year was directed and written by a female. I know Noah Baumbach chipped in, but let’s give the credit to Greta Gerwig for her vision — and it stars a woman and is about the most female concept ever. Even when you’re talking about sporting events, women’s soccer is dominating in viewership. League One Volleyball had one of the most attended games in history. Look at [tennis star] Coco Gauff. This is the year of women, 2024, and we have all of these people to thank for it.

Are there any news stories or issues that you’ve been wanting to make fun of or bring awareness to that you’ll bring up?

I’m sure I’ll go after the studios and the strike stuff. They deserve to be reminded of how ridiculous they are. But what was so special about last year’s show was that it was a high-vibe night. Everyone left in a good mood. It was a fun event, and all I want is for it to be another fun event. And that’s what I’ll make it. 

This story first appeared in the Jan. 10 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Click here to subscribe." - Hollywoodreporter.com